Bell crank tailwheel chain attachment tab replacement?
Forum rules
You must be a member of the Cessna 120-140 Association in order to post new topics, reply to existing topics, or search for information on this forum. Use the "Join" link in the red menu bar.
You must be a member of the Cessna 120-140 Association in order to post new topics, reply to existing topics, or search for information on this forum. Use the "Join" link in the red menu bar.
-
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Wed May 28, 2025 11:44 am
- Name: Garrett Beard
- Location: MS
- Aircraft Type: 1946 C140
- Occupation-Interests:
- Contact:
Bell crank tailwheel chain attachment tab replacement?
One of the tabs that connect the rudder bell crank to the tailwheel chains is very well worn and I am having a hard time finding a replacement listed. At the moment, I am having a hard time finding the part outright listed for sale. If anyone has any leads on where to find any for sale, or is willing to sell one to me, that would be great. I have a Scott 3-24b tailwheel setup.
Thanks!
Thanks!
- Attachments
-
- IMG_6925 copy.jpeg (54.25 KiB) Viewed 688 times
- 6597
- Posts: 440
- Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
- Name: David Sbur
- Location: Vancouver WA KVUO
- Aircraft Type: '46 140 0-200A
- Occupation-Interests: Agriculture
- Contact:
Re: Bell crank tailwheel chain attachment tab replacement?
We tig welded mine, clean up drilled and shaped, a little zinc chromate, simple fix.....
-
- Posts: 393
- Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
- Name: Mike Smith
- Location: Florida
- Aircraft Type: 140A (2) 1949 & 1950
- Occupation-Interests: Retired aerial power line patrol pilot for Gulf Power Co. CFIA, CFII, MEI
120-140 Assoc. Florida Rep. N9633A & N9688A - Contact:
Re: Bell crank tailwheel chain attachment tab replacement?
What you're looking for is p/n 0433132. David has a good suggestion about welding them up, but you might also try Univair Aircraft Parts at telephone 888-433-5433. Those tabs are part of the rudder bellcrank assembly, p/n 0433113. Univair may be able to sell you new tabs separate from the bellcrank assembly. On a side note you might also contact Air Repair, Inc located in Cleveland, MS at telephone 662-846-0228. Air Repair offers L-19/0-1 Bird Dog parts, and may also have the tabs that can be sold separately. Those tabs are used on the Bird Dog and Cessna 170 series as well.
-
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Wed May 28, 2025 11:44 am
- Name: Garrett Beard
- Location: MS
- Aircraft Type: 1946 C140
- Occupation-Interests:
- Contact:
Re: Bell crank tailwheel chain attachment tab replacement?
Thanks, I'll definitely call Univair when they're open, I had seen the listing of the entire bellcrank assembly after finding the part number on a different thread, but not the tabs individually. I didn't even think about Air Repair! I appreciate the number. I'd be able to stop by if Univair doesn't work out since I go to college in Cleveland and at the airport.
-
- Posts: 109
- Joined: Fri May 07, 2021 7:13 pm
- Name: Karl
- Location: Los Angeles
- Aircraft Type: 140
- Occupation-Interests:
- Contact:
Re: Bell crank tailwheel chain attachment tab replacement?
Is this setup acceptable for the tailwheel chains? Thanks.
- 6643
- Posts: 2609
- Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
- Name: John C
- Location: KLCI, NH
- Aircraft Type: 1946 C140/C90
- Occupation-Interests: A&P, semi-retired
- Contact:
Re: Bell crank tailwheel chain attachment tab replacement?
Notice how pulling on the rudder cable imparts a twisting moment to the bellcrank... (It looks like that one has already been reinforced.)atypicalguy wrote: ↑Tue Aug 05, 2025 1:34 pm Is this setup acceptable for the tailwheel chains? Thanks.
Those metal tabs are just bits of 4130 steel. Easy to duplicate. Paint with chromate primer and Bob's your uncle.
John Cooper
www.skyportservices.net
www.skyportservices.net
- 6597
- Posts: 440
- Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
- Name: David Sbur
- Location: Vancouver WA KVUO
- Aircraft Type: '46 140 0-200A
- Occupation-Interests: Agriculture
- Contact:
Re: Bell crank tailwheel chain attachment tab replacement?
That's the 'official' Scott 3200 installation for 120/140/140A. Some of us prefer the non-twisting installation of the stainless steel tabs.Notice how pulling on the rudder cable imparts a twisting moment to the bellcrank...
- 6643
- Posts: 2609
- Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
- Name: John C
- Location: KLCI, NH
- Aircraft Type: 1946 C140/C90
- Occupation-Interests: A&P, semi-retired
- Contact:
Re: Bell crank tailwheel chain attachment tab replacement?
Yeah, but, with the 3200 the springs are only tensioned when you're steering and the wheel is resisting turning. When you're turning the rudder cables tend to offset the effect of the spring tension. With the 2000/3-24B they're always tensioned.
Mine are not stainless! They're rusty...Some of us prefer the non-twisting installation of the stainless steel tabs.
John Cooper
www.skyportservices.net
www.skyportservices.net
- 6597
- Posts: 440
- Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
- Name: David Sbur
- Location: Vancouver WA KVUO
- Aircraft Type: '46 140 0-200A
- Occupation-Interests: Agriculture
- Contact:
Re: Bell crank tailwheel chain attachment tab replacement?
You are correct. I remember when Tim Mix and I welded mine up they were bright and shiny and made the incorrect assumption they were stainless. Took a magnet to them last night and they are ferrous...Mine are not stainless! They're rusty..
Of course I should have remembered that when we welded them.....

-
- Posts: 109
- Joined: Fri May 07, 2021 7:13 pm
- Name: Karl
- Location: Los Angeles
- Aircraft Type: 140
- Occupation-Interests:
- Contact:
Re: Bell crank tailwheel chain attachment tab replacement?
To me the twisting moment appears to be at least partially offset by the leverarm between the top and bottom halves of the control cable clevis coming off the front. But if the spring pulled Rearward on the bottom when there was no forward control cable countertension, I can see how it would twist the whole horn/bellcrank.6643 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 05, 2025 6:44 pmNotice how pulling on the rudder cable imparts a twisting moment to the bellcrank... (It looks like that one has already been reinforced.)atypicalguy wrote: ↑Tue Aug 05, 2025 1:34 pm Is this setup acceptable for the tailwheel chains? Thanks.
Those metal tabs are just bits of 4130 steel. Easy to duplicate. Paint with chromate primer and Bob's your uncle.