Tailwheel strut assembly

J

Jan Zatloukal

New member
I just purchased Bruce Falls Cruisemaster 14-19-2 and am allready taking it appart. My tail wheel strut is worn out of round and chrome is gone in one area vhere it gets most wear. I think it needds to be reground and hardchromed. The smaller piston part is also in bad shape. I called few places and have yet to find one that is willing to work on anything cheaper than The Space Shuttle.
I have a quote to rechrome the small piston for 400.00, could not find anyone to do strut because the fork end makes it too hard to center in the machine. Has anyone done this? Or should I give up and look for used parts? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Call United Plating Works in Tulsa, I talked to them about doing my main gear on one of my projects and they seemed to think it would be no problem. They are an approved repair station also. 918-835-4683 Greg
 
Greg how was Sun&Fun? 1 of the other guys fell out on the trip to Florida so I took Lori to New Orleans. We had a really good time. If you ever go to lakefront airport down there avoid Millionair and the one next to them. Go to Atlantic air. I have never been treated so bad by an FBO as I was down there. The one guy ask if I was a Millionair Member and when I said no He told me he could not help me and walked away. The secound place the guy walked on to the ramp and made a motion across his throat and walked away. I made a couple of verbal coments to the two of them and called ground control and asked if there was anybody else I could go to and he sent me to Atlanticair. The guy came out and directed me next to a Kingair and Citation and told me I could leave it there. We explaned what we wanted and he carried our bags to the office and to the taxi when it arrived. Everbody was EXTREMELY helpfull. They found a place to tie the plane down for the nite and took care of anything we needed. They said if we gave them some notice they can also find us a good place to stay. Fuel was $2.50 a gal. whitch is not bad on a major airport. Parking was $10 a night. We already had a place to stay but will probably do that next time. :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
Jan, did you try to call Bellanca aka Alexandria Aircraft. they are into Viking gear and should be able to help you with your tail strut. the other place is Aerospace Coatings 1-866-506-0249 web site http://www.aerocoatings.com. I would of bought Falls Bellanca but purchased John Lazer's 4 months earlier cheaper but more fix it problems. Two things about Cruisemasters 1 Be Careful You Might Get What You Ask For 2. You get what you pay for! I rebuilt the gear on my plane but didn't need to rechrome anything. I put new springs and seals in and greased it up away we go. This is a rush to fly and it turns heads What is That? Check out Russ Williams web site he has a Cruisemaster and lots of good info just type Bellanca Cruisemaster in MSN or Yahoo he comes in 1st. Oh I forgot Lynn's Bellanca rule #3 Ask lots of questions regardless if you think they are stupid. You'll get good answers and they are not as stupid as you think! LYNN N9818B signing Bellanca Blues
 
Try the guys at Alexandria. They had some surplus tailwheel struts 6 months or so ago. They were really reasonable so I bought one for a spare. If I rememer right they were $235 but I am not sure it is chromed. Good luck.
 
Thanks everyone fo the info. I did not know factory still had parts for Cruisemasters, thougt it was for Vikings only. I will call them tomorough and buy it from them. I am also goin to go through my main landing gear and probable need plating there. I realize aircraft parts are not cheap, my last airplane was Cessna 170B I am used to Cessna prices, this actualy seems pretty reasonable.
I feel that I paid about 20000 less the airplane than it should cost so I have some room for improvement. When I finish landing gear, brakes, tires etc., I am planning to fly until winter and then tacle the instument panel (intercom, gps-com, new gyro and some new instuments) and in couple of years some fabric work and new paint job. It is great to know that there is help available.
Jan
 
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