The International Cessna^® 170 Association

I'm doing an annual inspection on my 170A, I disassembled the tail wheel bracket to replaced the U bolt and the channel 0510000-31 and after reassembly the steering chains are to long, what did I do wrong?

Look at your leafspring stack. You've allowed it to shift forward and is no longer properly held by the bolt at the forward end of the leafsprings.

Is this a test?

Notice how bolt 2 goes through top plate 8 inside bushing 5 then through the mount in part 1. It sets and holds the springs relative to the mount. You couldn't have this bolt installed correctly. And while your at it you also don't have the six bolts (19) and nuts installed holding the top plate on. But I'll assume this picture is take of a ruff fit assembly.

The picture where the chains are slack may very well be the correct spring location.
The picture where the chains are tight looks like the spring is way too far back.
(I think it is a test, too.)

You have it installed correctly now. Lucky you found the problem before you damaged a plane

Also, make sure you install part number 16 in Bruce's diagram. I think it's called a chain guard. Search the forum for "Bent Steering Arm" to see why it's an important item.

sfarringer wrote:The picture where the chains are slack may very well be the correct spring location.
The picture where the chains are tight looks like the spring is way too far back.
(I think it is a test, too.)

DSCN0970_cropped_2.jpg

You are correct. I assumed the picture with the chains taunt was that of proper parts properly assembled. If it was not, that might explain why when proper parts are assembled properly, the chains adjusted for the former improper install would be to long.

When I took my 170 to Del Lehman for restoration, he found my tailwheel with the same condition. The leaf springs were just butting up against the retainer bolt and the only thing holding the whole assembly in place was the tailwheel coil springs and chains. We had flown the plane from Alaska to Texas and around Texas for several months. Talk about lucky!

Where is the source document for Bruce picture.?


I have a Cessna Service Manual 100 Series 1962 and prior . Not real helpful for C170.


Regards

George/Bruce - do I recall correctly there was more information in a forum here about the bracket kit SK70A52-4? And/or a discount for club members? Annual this year found me need to make the replacement.

MoonlightVFR wrote:Where is the source document for Bruce picture.?

The 170B parts catalog

Romeo Tango wrote:George/Bruce - do I recall correctly there was more information in a forum here about the bracket kit SK70A52-4? And/or a discount for club members? Annual this year found me need to make the replacement.

That is correct. The Assoc'n has all the necessary documentation and a nice discount for the entire kit for it's Members. Join up!

wingnut wrote:You have it installed correctly now. Lucky you found the problem before you damaged a plane

Thanks everyone for all the help! This makes the most sense that it was not installed right previously, just glad it's right now
So much good help in this group, thanks again