Tailwheel Spring Bending

[jaredyates]

Has anyone found a source for re-arching the leaf style tailwheel spring? I'm to a point where I'm considering doing that, replacing the spring, or going to a stinger type of rod to try and mitigate shimmy problems that I believe are coming from the current spring being a little too flat. I found one semi-local place, and over the phone they quoted me a price that's on par with buying a new assembly from Mark. I haven't asked around to see if I can separate the heat treating tasks from the bending tasks, but that may be another option.

[Bdflies]

A buddy had the same issue, with a Citabria spring. I used my shop press (20t) to re-arch it. Have to admit, I was surprised how easy it was. Don't remember exactly, but I think the spring was placed on a piece of channel iron and a piece of round bar, between the spring and the press mandrel. The trick was judging how much bend would cause it to yield and then make several small adjustments. Worked great.

Bill

[Blackrock]

I've been re-arching mine for sometime, but after about 2 times, I just get a new one from Mark. That was until the T3 came along, anyway. Don't think I'll be going back.

I re-arched them in a press. Just cold work it slow over 3 to 5 bend points. A piece of 2-inch diameter steel rod works well. Of course that can only be done so many times before metal fatigue sets in so that is why two re-arches was my limit.

Mark, BTW, the last set I got from you was the best yet. I really like that one the best.

[Ed.Meyer]

Many years ago in a just acquired Scout, on a long cross country, was having extreme shimmy problems. At a shop in Nebraska that mostly worked on Lear Jets and such, a young mechanic identified the arch lacking, and as noted above, re-arched cold in a press. Problem solved.

[jaredyates]

I've ordered a replacement from Mark. I'll compare the old and new to try and pin down the cause of the shimmy. If nothing else, having two will help me stay in flying shape while I bend one. I didn't confirm with the shop if they were just bending it as-is or if they were planning to redo the heat treating, but the latter option seemed to be a better choice for longevity.