Changing a Tailwheel Tire

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8233
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Changing a Tailwheel Tire

Post by 8233 »

Looked through the forums and didn't see the answer. What’s the safest way to jack up the tail to change a tire and tube? Any other tailwheel parts that I might need? Suggestions on the best approach?

Thanks
David Freeland - CFII
1972 Bellanca Super Viking and 1946 Cessna 120
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hotrodmac
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Re: Changing a Tailwheel Tire

Post by hotrodmac »

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I had mine on the jack this morning. Either use a wooden block or a rubber jack pad on your trolley or floor jack. I prefer the rubber jack pad. It looks like a hockey puck and fits in the cup on the jack.

Make sure the mains are chocked well, and I suggest you break as many bolts loose as you can while the tailwheel is on the ground. Don't want to be torquing on it while on the jack.
'46 C140 - Flying
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Re: Changing a Tailwheel Tire

Post by 6643 »

A 4x4 block fits in there perfectly. I put one on top of a milk crate then lift the tail by hand (grab the tailspring) and set it on the 4x4. No jack necessary.
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Re: Changing a Tailwheel Tire

Post by 8233 »

6643 wrote: Sat Aug 01, 2020 12:32 pm A 4x4 block fits in there perfectly. I put one on top of a milk crate then lift the tail by hand (grab the tailspring) and set it on the 4x4. No jack necessary.
Thanks John
David Freeland - CFII
1972 Bellanca Super Viking and 1946 Cessna 120
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Re: Changing a Tailwheel Tire

Post by 8359 »

I use my shop creeper seat. Works great. Just put it under and raise the seat as I gently pull up on the pull handle.

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Re: Changing a Tailwheel Tire

Post by 5422 »

A sturdy sawhorse with some old sleeping pad attached across top. Lift tail by spring and swing it over the horse or have a buddy slide the horse under. I make sure the horse is under a bulkhead seam where it’s stronger. Nice having the tail high so I can sit on a bucket to work on it and not crouch down.......I’m getting old.
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Re: Changing a Tailwheel Tire

Post by 2356 »

Tamer, just curious, what’s that extra bracket for?
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Re: Changing a Tailwheel Tire

Post by 8359 »

It's a camera mount from flight flix:

https://flightflix.net/product/rock-ste ... all-mount/

It's a nice angle, although the camera get's pretty dirty off airport!
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