Tailwheel bolt torque spec?

[CptKelly]

What is the tailwheel bolt torque spec for a AN-7 bolt? I am installing a new ABI tailwheel, and need the torque specs.
Thanks for your help.

Mike

[joea]

Mike,

Do you have a copy of AC43-13? Torque specs are there for all sorts of fasteners.

If not, here is the link to the FAA website where you can download a copy.

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guida ... enDocument

Joe

[CptKelly]

Joe,
The Advisory Circulars you provided indeed did contain a mountain of information. I did not, however, see any torque values. Maybe I missed it, but I don't think so.


Mike

[Carl Prather]

Try table 7-1 in the AC 43.13. What tailwheel did you eventually buy?

[CptKelly]

Maybe the torque value of this little bitty ole bolt is a secret that no one chooses to share?

Mike

[joea]

Mike,

Table 7-1 in AC 43-13 has the torque specs.

[MikeB]

Mike,
I think the point is that there are all kinds of torque values on the Champs and Chiefs that are not posted so you have to use the standard torque values printed in 43.13 (AN bolt size and type). Often you just have to use common sense on some of these old timers anyway.

Mike Berg

[CptKelly]

I could do like my old F-14 mechanic did: Just tighten it until it strips, then back it off half a turn, and put a cotter pin in it?
I looked all through the AC publication, but I didn't see ANY bolt torque specs???? Maybe my computer isn't loading all that needs to be loaded?

Mike

[joea]

Believe that you could use a chart like the one below and would do fine.

Joe

http://www.zerofast.com/torque.htm

[CptKelly]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Mike

[joea]

Someday Grasshopper, I will teach you about an internet search engine!

[CptKelly]

Search engine? I did the search engine thingy, and looked at many, many sites. I even saw the one you provided. What I didn't know was how a fine thread AN bolt fit within the parameters given. I figured that someone who flys Aeronca's would know by heart how much torque to put on that nut. Reckon not. I would have called my IA if he had been in town.. he is ferrying a plane to Australia, across the big muddy, feet wet.

Sure appreciate the response.

Mike

[joea]

Mike,

One thing we all forget at times is that Aeronca's are 1930's farm tractor tech. Torque? Back in those days bet that they said "Hell son, just snug the puppy up and go fly!"

Joe

[Mikek]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Mike

Its not all about torque You need to use the right bolt, washer and nut combination. Self locking or cotter pin, amount of thread passed nut, heat, fiber or metal self locking, and the purpose of the bolt, hold together as one or as a pin to rotate about.

Always talk to and let your A&P/AI know what your are and have done since he last saw it.

Mike K

[joea]

Mike brings up a good point here. Just because these old birds are usually pretty friendly for a mechanic to work on does not mean that anyone should be doing it.

I have had my A&P for 28 years now and am still learning things about airplanes everytime I get around them. For instance, its been a long time since I worked with fabric and were I to recover a plane or even a control surface again I would get with Nathan Hammond or Tony Markl and have them get me current again on the procedure.

Get your A&P or IA to work with you and once they know you a bit they will tell you what they feel comfortable with your doing on the airplane. Until then the FAA has a list of what the owner pilot is legal to preform.