Early vs. Late Tailwheel Spring Sets for 120/140

[edidin]

Does anyone have opinions as to why Cessna might have switched to individually bent or cambered tailwheel springs in the later 120/140s as opposed to the earlier springs where the only bend is in the longest bottom spring? The overall cant of the assembly seems more appropriate in the later (-2) version built up than in the ones used from S/N 8000-14000. Particularly when a Scott 3200 is fitted as is very common.

[6277]

There is a very good article on the differences at this web site. Suggest you join if you're not already a member. There's a wealth of information, well worth the small cost of membership.

[edidin]

Thanks. Did not occur to me; am a member and will search.

[2356]

Look for the Neil Wright article.

[6643]

Look for the Neil Wright article.

I think this article is what everyone is referring to.

There has been a lot of discussion over the years about the "why" with no definite conclusion.

[6597]

I can show you the differences but I cannot explain the 'why'. As far as I can tell the mount at the fuselage remained the same and was installed the same across all serial numbers...

The single and double bend springs next to each other

single-doublebendspringstogether.JPG (16.85 KiB) Viewed 2082 times

Double bend spring on early serial number, note how high the tail is....

Before-2bendsprings17.jpg (18.94 KiB) Viewed 2082 times

Single bend spring on early serial number, note the overall height decrease...

After-1bendsprings14.125.JPG (18.02 KiB) Viewed 2082 times

[6277]

When I first bought my airplane, it had the double bend springs with a Scott 3200 tail wheel, and wheel extenders. Many of my landings would result in the tail wheel touching down first. It was a real squirrel! After installing the correct springs, (and getting rid of the extenders) landings are smoother and I believe they are "three pointers" most of the time, at least the tail wheel doesn't touch first.

[edidin]

Look for the Neil Wright article.

I think this article is what everyone is referring to.

There has been a lot of discussion over the years about the "why" with no definite conclusion.

Thanks all for this link to the pdf and to the other threads showing height changes.