My early Waiex (S/N 0026) has been fitted with three 4 in diameter tail-wheels during the years. Their types, as per the first one delivered by Sonex within the kit, are labeled Darcor.
They are made out of hard plastic (POM?), they are fitted with sealed ball bearings plus one saucer-like tin deflectors on each sides. They have worked perfectly. The second and third wheels were purchased from Sonerei (Fred Keip), years ago.
Sonex catalog suggest this replacement item:
Some time ago,I have purchased the same item from Aircraft Spruce:
But its quality is poor to me: the rim and “tire” were not turned to the correct thickness. It is flush with the hub which does not allow any installation within the original caster. And, the bearings are NOT sealed AND there is no lateral deflectors.
Has anyone any thoughts about this topic and some suggestion for a supplier for the Darcor tail-wheel, as per the original part?
Thanks for reading.
Waiex S/N W0026 – T/D – HB–YMY – Jabiru 3300 – AeroCarb – Sensenich W54SK-64G
Maiden Flight 22nd July 08
I used the same wheel from Sonex/Aircraft Spruce but I replaced the bearings. I know the quality of the part seems poor, but we have had good luck with them. I’m on my third one, and I have a Peter Anson tailwheel for the next one.
I replaced mine with a Peter Anson tailwheel assembly. A great improvement. Later, I replaced the pneumatic tire with a solid wheel of the same dimensions. No more flat tires.
Back in 2008 the tail wheel i received had full complement ball bearings. In that type of bearing the balls are in contact with one another and thus the contact points are moving in opposite directions where they meet. Not what you want in high speed applications. in proper precision ball bearings, the balls are separated by a cage that isolates each, and contact to the cage is over a broad area, where lubrication works well. I replaced mine with a 6" one from Colson casters that included precision sealed ball bearings cost then about $15. and i bought a spare, but never needed it in 14 flying seasons. I made my own mount for it, but if doing again would use Sonex later machined 6" tail wheel bracket. A year or so, saw a picture in EAA Sport Aviation of anther make plane that was using a tail wheel from one of the well known vendors of such. Guess what, Exactly the same Colson Caster.
They quickly answered me that the part number for the 4 in wheel replacement is:
W-64-XD
It has a neoprene Rubber wheel with precision sealed bearings and its dimensions would fit since this was the very item I received with my Waiex kit back in 2005.
This item seems to be available. They are waiting for shipping freight costs to Switzerland as of yet.
I hope I can place a purchase order within the next few days.
I’ll keep the forum posted on how this goes further.
I am contemplating changing my API 4" tail wheel, to an API 6".
Depending on single fork or two fork configuration, the weight difference (from the 4") will be 0.06 kg (2.1 oz) & 0.15 kg (5.2 oz).
My Legacy is a tad nose heavy. I use up elevator/stick back in Cruise, when no weight in baggage area.
I know I should do the proper W&B calculations but just wondering what effect (if any) I will notice, with the two 6 " increases in weight, so far back & of course a smidgeon more drag?
If only someone on the old forum had modified their excel W&B for you with the airplane numbers you provided, it would be a simple exercise to plug in the new number and get an answer.
I changed my tailwheel assembly to a 6” inflatable unit from Peter Anson in Australia. (ansoneng.com) He offers several options. I bought the aluminum wheel assembly with the grey tire but changed the tire to a higher inflation rated tire. That required fabricating a stronger wheel back plate to withstand the higher psi. The inflatable tire eliminates the tailwheel noise during taxi as well as improved directional traction. I also came up with some spare wheels (wheelchair wheels), one of which I carry in case of a flat, which is easier to change than repairing a flat away from home.
I have purchased several components from him for my Onex, all well designed, and he is responsive to inquires.
