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3 leaf tail spring. Bolt size

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geir_olav(at)c2i.net
Guest

Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 12:59 pm Post subject: 3 leaf tail spring. Bolt size

I am replacing the single leaf tail  spring with a 3 leaf. But I do not know the size of the bolt that is installed.  (then I need a ½” longer bolt ) now. Think it is a 5/16” bolt, but cant  remember. Anybody that know the original size of the bolt on my Kitfox 4.   (of course I can go over to the airport,  dismantle and find out, but  if one of you know the length and size, I would be  thankful). 

  

Will just replace the spring BEFORE  it breaks. 

  

Thanks 

  

Geir Olav  Øien 

Kitfox  4 

Jabiru  2200. 

 

   [quote][b]

Tom Jones

Joined: 12 Mar 2006
Posts: 752
Location: Ellensburg, WA

Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 6:12 pm Post subject: Re: 3 leaf tail spring. Bolt size

 	  Quote: 	
		  I am replacing the single leaf tail spring with a 3 leaf. But I do not know the size of the bolt that is installed. (then I need a ï¿½â€ longer bolt ) now. Think it is a 5/16â€ bolt, but cant remember. Anybody that know the original size of the bolt on my Kitfox 4. 	




Grir, I have a Classic 4 with one main leaf and one helper leaf.  My fuselage bolt goes through 2 spring leaves.  It is a AN5-20 (5/16 X 2 inch).  The rear bolt goes through one leaf and the Mall tail wheel bracket, it is a AN7-10A (7/16 X 1 inch).  The two smaller bolts that secure the tail spring clamp catch 2 leaves.  They are AN3-10A (3/16 X 1 inch).



If you are installing 2 main leaves plus a helper leaf you probably should add 2 (1/4 inch) to each of the above AN dash numbers.



Now, did I help or confuse you?

_________________
Tom Jones
Classic IV
503 Rotax, 72 inch Two blade Warp
Ellensburg, WA

Michel

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 966
Location: Norway

Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 11:33 pm Post subject: 3 leaf tail spring. Bolt size

On Sep 23, 2007, at 4:12 AM, Tom Jones wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   If you are installing 2 main leaves plus a helper leaf you probably 

 should add 2 (1/4 inch) to each of the above AN dash numbers.


	


Yes, you will have to do that, Geir. And the bad news is: the main bolt 

is - as I understand it - glued inside the fuselage and you will need 

to heat it for removal.



Med vennlig hilsen,

Michel Verheughe

Norway

Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200

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Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200

Lynn Matteson

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 4:34 am Post subject: 3 leaf tail spring. Bolt size

Depending on how the original builder built the plane, this bolt may  

or may not be glued in place. In building mine I glued (structural  

adhesive...Hysol 9460) the bolt in place, and when I needed to remove  

it for the thicker spring/longer bolt, it was a simple matter to  

shield the fabric with a metal plate with a hole drilled in it, then  

heat the bolt on the threads. The heat will travel up the bolt,  

soften the adhesive and allow the bolt to be pushed up into the  

fuselage. I have an inspection hole nearby to facilitate work done in  

this area. If you don't have this hole, I think you'll have to remove  

the hort. stab to reach the area....maybe not.

Lynn Matteson

Grass Lake, Michigan

Kitfox IV Speedster  w/Jabiru 2200

flying w/400+ hrs

On Sep 23, 2007, at 3:32 AM, Michel Verheughe wrote:

 	  Quote: 	

 On Sep 23, 2007, at 4:12 AM, Tom Jones wrote:

> If you are installing 2 main leaves plus a helper leaf you  

> probably should add 2 (1/4 inch) to each of the above AN dash  

> numbers.

 Yes, you will have to do that, Geir. And the bad news is: the main  

 bolt is - as I understand it - glued inside the fuselage and you  

 will need to heat it for removal.

 Med vennlig hilsen,

 Michel Verheughe

 Norway

 Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200

_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM

dave

Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 8:36 am Post subject: Re: 3 leaf tail spring. Bolt size

Geir, 



I changed mine to a 3 leaf recently and used the existing  5/16" bolt without an issue.  As long ass you got close to 1/4" extra bolt you should be ok.  I had a spacer between the fuselage and the old spring and I removed it.  



The 7/16 bolt on tailwheel will likely be too short as it now goes through  2 leaves rather than one. I took off the washer and used it anyhow but the bolt is not through the self locking nut far enough.  Thanks for the reminder to replace it before it falls off

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dave

Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382

Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 4:09 am Post subject: Re: 3 leaf tail spring. Bolt size-- waited too long

Took off 30 mins ago  , got to  100 feet and all windows fogged over.

open door flew into sun till it dis-appeared. 



Landed 15 mins later........  200 feet from  hangar on grass strip and "CLUNK"  tail drops.....  goes through my head - could it be my  three leaf spring just gave in?  OR did that BOLT  that did not go through the self locking not far enough just fall out ? 

Regardless--------  I stomped on brakes and hit throttle and got tail off ground and kept it off till i got to hangar then even turned it while tail still in air and shut down.........  



Tailwheel bolt had fallen out ------  >>  NO DAMAGE 

oh well  put another in later   



Happy  ending but i should have read and REACTED to my post YESTERDAY   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 	  Quote: 	
		  The 7/16 bolt on tailwheel will likely be too short as it now goes through 2 leaves rather than one. I took off the washer and used it anyhow but the bolt is not through the self locking nut far enough. Thanks for the reminder to replace it before it falls off

dave

Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382

Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 5:42 am Post subject: Re: 3 leaf tail spring. Bolt size

another bolt put in 



test flew 

seems ok  now

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:54 am Post subject: 3 leaf tail spring. Bolt size

Hope it's a longer one and "in safety".



Noel



[quote] --

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Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

dave

Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382

Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:00 am Post subject: Re: 3 leaf tail spring. Bolt size

Noel, did not have a AN bolt so i used a grade 5 bolts course thread with a lock washer. 



Then After it done I drilled it and put in a cotter pin   LOL  

not  AC 43.11  but it just a tailwheel.... 



next  order i get a 7/16 " bolt the right length   



maybe it will bust again by then > ?

rexinator(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:16 am Post subject: 3 leaf tail spring. Bolt size

This is one of those funny things that happen (this time!) where you 

can laugh at yourself. Glad to hear it worked out OK.

(I read the latest post that you have replaced the bolt)

do not archive

-- 

Rex Hefferan

SE Colorado / K-II / 582-C / still waiting repairs

dave wrote:

 	  Quote: 	

Landed 15 mins later........  200 feet from  hangar on grass strip and "CLUNK"  tail drops.....  goes through my head - could it be my  three leaf spring just gave in?  OR did that BOLT  that did not go through the self locking not far enough just fall out ? 

Regardless--------  I stomped on brakes and hit throttle and got tail off ground and kept it off till i got to hangar then even turned it while tail still in air and shut down.........  

Tailwheel bolt had fallen out ------  >>  NO DAMAGE 

oh well  put another in later   

Happy  ending but i should have read and REACTED to my post YESTERDAY   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

>The 7/16 bolt on tailwheel will likely be too short as it now goes through 2 leaves rather than one. I took off the washer and used it anyhow but the bolt is not through the self locking nut far enough. Thanks for the reminder to replace it before it falls off  

>    

>

--------

Rotax Dealer, Ontario Canada

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