Tailwheel springs.... How many types

[Bruce Perry]

Hi,

I'm getting around to "the list" on the 170A. Next up is the tail wheel spring. First off, Yes I have a parts manual for the 170A. However I have a 170B spring bracket on my airplane. I've sourced springs for 170's (no indication of rag, or A or B) for $200 ish. I've also been entertained by a retailer offering genuine Cessna parts for only $1900!!!

What I'm wondering is "which spring?" Naturally, I'm keen to have the airplane use certified parts. I can't imagine what the $1900 spring has over the $200 variety if the latter are certified.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Bruce

[doug8082a]

Univair holds a PMA for producing tailwheel springs for the 120, 140, & 170. Aircraft Spruce sells 170 springs which are, in fact, the Univair product complete with Univair's FAA-PMA sticker on them (I have a set on my '52). The 170 spring is available in two flavors - just the single main spring, or the complete spring set. When buying the complete set you will get 5 springs in the stack. The 170 used five springs - the 170A & B use four. If you need the entire set (as I did) buy it and discard the smallest, top-most spring from the stack as it is only required on the 1948 170, not the A or B.

A/C Spruce has the main spring (Spruce p/n 06-15100) for $71.00 and the entire set (Spruce p/n 06-15000) for $167.95.

Although Univair also sells them, oddly enough sometimes they are actually a little bit cheaper from A/C Spruce.

So, set aside $1900, but the parts from Spruce and send me the change

[Dave Clark]

Don't forget to radius the lower aft edge of the second spring. (do a search).

[n1410d]

Are there two types of Main leaf springs? I have heard that an L-19 main spring is thicker. I may have that spring on my plane.

[dlinsley]

We have a thicker main spring on our 170B as well, the new ones that I have found are all the same thickness as the other springs.
I like the idea, just can't figure our where it came from.