The International Cessna^® 170 Association

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Hi ... I finally hit the age of 65 3 Aprl and retired form FedEx on 1 Aprl ... finally getting the time to put our -170 back together! Question: I want to replace the tail wheel springs and replace the tail wheel tube and tire. What is the best way to raise the tail? I have a '54B and do not want to risk doing any damage ("do no harm") ... suggestions, thoughts, ideas? Thanks ... Lee Robinson

I have BAS tail pull handles in the tail of my airplane. I use my engine hoist to lift the tail by putting a Nylon cargo strap looped around the handles and simply lift the tail with the engine hoist. Before I had the tail pull handles I put the strap around the fuselage forward of the Stabilizer and centered on the bulkhead. Saves my and my friends aging Backs,
Jim

Thanks, Guys ... I do have the BAS tail pull installed and wondered about using an engine hoist I have to raise the tail with a strap around the handles ... just wasn't sure if the handles would take the load. I also considered the sawhorse idea under a bulkhead. I will mull that over a bit ... may hoist and then place the fuselage on a saw horse to take load off the handles. Regards/Lee

Floor jack and some blocks.

Car jack, a few blocks of wood, and bits of old carpet.

A short section of 4 X 4 with a radius cut in the top surface to approximately match the tailwheel bracket, and a floor jack.

You cant't beat a scissor jack like the one in DaveF's photo with a wide, stable base and a top that fits nicely under the tail (again like in DaveF's photo - I think I have the same Jack). I use 4x4 or 6x6 wood blocking under the jack and an oversized piece of heavy rubber cut from an old tire at the top of the jack under the tail. Works well.

I normally use a piece of 2x4 with a radiused cutout, as Steve suggested. In fact, there it is in my picture next to the can of ACF50. I don't remember why I didn't use it for this job.

Thanks again, guys ... all look like workable ideas and I do have the jacks. I also have a hoist and could go that route ... bottom line: "do no harm"! R/Lee

Whatever you do, make sure it is on a bulkhead.