# Rudder Tailwheel linkage redux
**URL:** https://sonexpilots.org/t/rudder-tailwheel-linkage-redux/5579
**Category:** Onex
**Created:** [April 6, 2026, 8:25pm UTC](https://sonexpilots.org/t/rudder-tailwheel-linkage-redux/5579 "2026-04-06T20:25:44Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@SkippyDiesel](https://sonexpilots.org/u/SkippyDiesel)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2026, 12:35am UTC](https://sonexpilots.org/t/rudder-tailwheel-linkage-redux/5579/21 "2026-04-11T00:35:05Z")
_Going check my Sonex in an hour or two - From aged/poor memory; Should the wheel linkage be on the top of the rudder plate, so that when the tail wheel spring is deflated up (on landing) the linkage moves away from, (not into) the plate, as shown???_
TW Steering rod on my Legacy, is above rudder plate. In the photo, from 4redwings, the steering rod is almost guaranteed to hit the bottom of the plate, in a hard landing. 😈
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### Author:  [@4redwings](https://sonexpilots.org/u/4redwings)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2026, 1:33am UTC](https://sonexpilots.org/t/rudder-tailwheel-linkage-redux/5579/22 "2026-04-11T01:33:14Z")
> [@daleandee](#):
>
> I want to also note that the horn attachment on the Onex is different from the way it is done on the Sonex. I don’t have a set of Onex plans but look at these photos (thanks Jeff) and you can see the difference:
Does the Sonex version use L-Ball Rod Ends?
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### Author:  [@Bryan\_Cotton](https://sonexpilots.org/u/Bryan_Cotton)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2026, 1:37am UTC](https://sonexpilots.org/t/rudder-tailwheel-linkage-redux/5579/23 "2026-04-11T01:37:36Z")
> [@4redwings](#):
>
> Does the Sonex version use L-Ball Rod Ends?
I was going to link to the web store, but they have closed it. The Sonex version has a straight tube, cut off at angles on the end, and plates welded with a bolt hole. No rod ends at all. I tried to make it work, I tried to copy the design and weld one up, then I bought the Peter Anson rod and it works great.
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### Author:  [@4redwings](https://sonexpilots.org/u/4redwings)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2026, 8:10pm UTC](https://sonexpilots.org/t/rudder-tailwheel-linkage-redux/5579/24 "2026-05-10T20:10:25Z")
All done. The gold part is my new angle-adjusted pivot point for the tail wheel. I welded it at 76Ëšand when I sit in the seat the two control horns are pretty close to parallel now.
I cut a 1/4" rod to size and used a new thread cutting die on both ends for the control linkage rod. I used rod ends with studs (some suppliers call them linkage rod ends) in order to get the rod end to sit farther from the control horn to minimize the angle the rod ends have to handle.
I taxied it around the ramp without the wings on to test it and got lots of attention. The most frequently asked question was, Where is the fuel?
Now to get the wings on, which is my next topic…
John
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### Author:  [@Bryan\_Cotton](https://sonexpilots.org/u/Bryan_Cotton)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2026, 8:29pm UTC](https://sonexpilots.org/t/rudder-tailwheel-linkage-redux/5579/25 "2026-05-10T20:29:46Z")
Looks good John!
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### Author:  [@13brv3](https://sonexpilots.org/u/13brv3)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2026, 12:55am UTC](https://sonexpilots.org/t/rudder-tailwheel-linkage-redux/5579/26 "2026-05-12T00:55:10Z")
Very nice!
BTW, they do sell plans. They aren’t all that cheap, but if you’re going to own the plane you might as well get a set when they get back up to speed.
Rusty
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