BH Tailwheel Stinger Hardware

[The Flying Mechanic]

Currently working on getting my BH Companion on her gear. I went with the regular BH Tailwheel using the solid stinger. The hardware callout is an AN4 for the 2 bolts on the tailwheel side of the stinger and an AN6 on the fuselage side. The AN4s were tight, but after reaming, they finally went through. The AN6 seems to be the wrong size completely. Even after reaming, it is obviously too big for the hole. I haven't seen anyone's videos or couldn't find a forum post on this yet, so I wanted to ask two questions:

1) If it is actually supposed to be an AN6, has anyone else had to upsize their hole at the fuselage side of the stinger to fit the hardware?
2) Is it possible that there are two sizes of stingers? I read over on https://bhtailwheels.com/our-tailwheels that there are two different sizes of stingers (5/8" and 3/4"), and I am wondering if the Companions use the smaller one that has an AN5 hole, while the BH M5 uses the larger one?

Would appreciate any PIREPs! Thanks!

Collin

[Utah-Jay]

I seem to remember needing to upsize the hole to an AN5 for my Companion.

[The Flying Mechanic]

Well, the hole is a 5/16ths currently, but the hardware callout is a 3/8ths (AN6). That's what I am trying to figure out, do I need to upsize that steel bar to a AN6 size bolt. If you upsized it, likely it was to a 6 I would guess. Next time you're at your bird, see if a 9/16ths socket goes on the bolt, please! ?

[Nev]

Just to add a note - a few of us have added Loctite red to the aft stinger near the AN4 bolts on Bob's advice. That area has a high torsional load when taxying and can start wearing the bolts, and the holes.

[The Flying Mechanic]

Thanks Nev, Have enjoyed watching your build videos! That's now in the BH Tailwheel installations instructions. It is Loctite 640 specifically. Easy stuff to find at an auto parts store.

[Bcone1381]

Just to add a note - a few of us have added Loctite red to the aft stinger near the AN4 bolts on Bob's advice. That area has a high torsional load when taxying and can start wearing the bolts, and the holes.

Hey Nev,

That is a very handy piece of advice. Is there any other areas where we should be adding red loctite? Would You consider adding that morsal of information to your Safety and Maintenance notes?

[Nev]

Thanks Brooks. That's under the Bearhawk Blog Maintenance notes here. No other areas for Loctite red that come to mind but if I think of any I'll definitely highlight them.

[jaredyates]

The Flying Mechanic

Bob is always the primary source for structural interpretations but I know he's not always super-accessible. I just spoke with him on the phone and asked him your question. We are both snowed in but it sounds like he got a little more than we did. He said something along these lines:

We've used 5/16 and we've used 3/8 bolts there, and we've never had any problems with those bolts. We've used 5/16 on the lighter planes and 3/8 on the heavier planes. Bob has used 5/16 bolts there on his own planes.

That stinger is hardened steel. It's a really big job to drill those out. You don't want to have to do that.

Bob did consult the plans that he has on his desk and verified that the bolt callout on the plans is currently 5/16, and he doesn't remember changing it. Do your plans show 3/8? Can you let me know where you found the 3/8 source so that we can address the mismatch?

[Utah-Jay]

I had to drill out Stinger spring. Even with the oil on the drill bit the bit was ruined.

Memory seems to be the AN4 was was a nice fit in the spring from the “factory”, but was loose in the fuselage (AN5), I was instructed to drill it out for the AN5

[Bearhawk Aircraft]

Hey Collin,
The Companion uses an AN5, the Four uses and AN6. The stingers are very similar but different material for the different gross weight between the models. Use an AN5 in that location if the hardware kit had the wrong diameter bolt in it let me know and I will drop one in the mail to you.

[The Flying Mechanic]

Perfect! Thanks. And don't worry about it, I already ordered one from Spruce with a handful of other things. Should be here Friday!