The Taylorcraft I fly is like that and presents no problems. My Pitts, on
the other hand, used to have springs like you describe and shimmied like all
hell on landing. I took all the slack out and tightened them up and not
only has the shimmy gone away but ground steering is much more positive.
Try it. If you don't like the results, you can always put them back the way
they were.

Shawn
"Steve B" wrote in message
om...
I have a Starduster SA100 with a Scotts tailwheel. The tailwheel is
not tight on the springs it is loose and the wheel can be moved a few
inches each direction before the springs make contact.

I would think that there should be no play in the springs... my
thought is that it could cause shimmy and also make it unstable on the
ground?

The person that I bought the plane from has been flying it that way
and made no comments about the tention.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Steve