I totally rebuilt my Lang tailwheel the other day and it locked up in the center like it was supposed to. I put it on the L-4 and tested it and it did not stay locked. After much consternation and contacting ACS Lang, I finally figured it out. By the way, Lang wanted me to send it to them which meant I would be without it for an unspecified time.
Being the old crewchief that I am, I was not going to give up easily since the tailwheel is a simple assembly. I used all new parts and found that the old plunger was shorter than the new and the plunger spring was longer than the new one. The new plunger also has a rounded surface where it fits into the drive washer (part #8) the old one has flat surface. The new driving cap where the plunger fits in has a bushing where the old one doesn't. This is a great imporvement.
As I tried different scenarios using old parts and new parts to make the tailwheel lock I found that after assembly it would be in the lock position. Pushing the wheel arm over to make the tailwheel break loose and swivel it would not lock every time and at times would not lock back to center at all. I could feel the plunger trying to lock in the drive washer but to no avail. Finally I looked through the hole in the wheel arm where the plunger goes through and saw that the new and old drive washer stuck out slightly less than 1/32nds. I put the washer on the vise and took a Dremel tool with a fine grinding stone and ground down the bottom of the U slot on the washer. It took two attempts but got it done. Now it works perfectly.
When I ordered the parts from ACS it took 6 months to get the new drive washer. The excuse was that the vendor they got the part from was running behind. These same parts are going into the new tailwheel assemblies and there have been several that have failed. The problem is that the tailwheels are tested on the bench but when they are put on the planes they fail. Just the small tension from the rudder tension springs makes a difference.
Captual, who is on this site had to send his back due to a missing plunger spring. A friend of mine here in TX sent his brand new tailwheel back to them because it was doing just what mine did. No telling how many others are out there.
I am not bad mouthing Lang becuase they have a good probuct but quality control should be looked at closer. The new parts do have a tighter tolerance. My tailwheel is the old gray colored one and the new parts really tightened it up.
I know that the Maule is cheaper but I still like the Lang better.
Hope this helps some of you guys and gals that are having the same problem.
Being the old crewchief that I am, I was not going to give up easily since the tailwheel is a simple assembly. I used all new parts and found that the old plunger was shorter than the new and the plunger spring was longer than the new one. The new plunger also has a rounded surface where it fits into the drive washer (part #8) the old one has flat surface. The new driving cap where the plunger fits in has a bushing where the old one doesn't. This is a great imporvement.
As I tried different scenarios using old parts and new parts to make the tailwheel lock I found that after assembly it would be in the lock position. Pushing the wheel arm over to make the tailwheel break loose and swivel it would not lock every time and at times would not lock back to center at all. I could feel the plunger trying to lock in the drive washer but to no avail. Finally I looked through the hole in the wheel arm where the plunger goes through and saw that the new and old drive washer stuck out slightly less than 1/32nds. I put the washer on the vise and took a Dremel tool with a fine grinding stone and ground down the bottom of the U slot on the washer. It took two attempts but got it done. Now it works perfectly.
When I ordered the parts from ACS it took 6 months to get the new drive washer. The excuse was that the vendor they got the part from was running behind. These same parts are going into the new tailwheel assemblies and there have been several that have failed. The problem is that the tailwheels are tested on the bench but when they are put on the planes they fail. Just the small tension from the rudder tension springs makes a difference.
Captual, who is on this site had to send his back due to a missing plunger spring. A friend of mine here in TX sent his brand new tailwheel back to them because it was doing just what mine did. No telling how many others are out there.
I am not bad mouthing Lang becuase they have a good probuct but quality control should be looked at closer. The new parts do have a tighter tolerance. My tailwheel is the old gray colored one and the new parts really tightened it up.
I know that the Maule is cheaper but I still like the Lang better.
Hope this helps some of you guys and gals that are having the same problem.
