Preventing Rod End Thread Corrosion?
 

Heres what I pulled out of my rudder yesterday while doing another repair...



Seems to be galvanic corrosion from the reinforcement plate, rudder horn and rudder spar. I pulled the other heim bearings and they had the same thread corrosion but not as bad as the lower bearing.

Im replacing the bearings but would like some thoughts on preventing future occurrences. I'm leaning towards and annual spritz of CorrosionX to weep down the threads.

Antiseize
 

I would think a good anti seize would better. One and done?

Also, why is the plate touching this? Is the clearance hole not big enough, or is it off center?

If it is just junk building up in the hole, I again go back to my antiseize to fill up that spot. JMHO YMMV

If you are grounded waiting on this part you are welcome to come grab some from my not-yet-flying RV10. Just let me know which part # and I'll confirm I have them handy.

Check out Tef Gel, works great especially in salt enviorments.

Mighty fine of you, but ACS-Midwest is back open now after their "COVID cleanse" and I can get them by Tues. I have enough to occupy my time til then.

I checked the clearance and it was good. I also checked the construction manual and hole is suppose to be drilled to 3/8"...it looks like it was (I'm not the builder).

I think anti-seize sounds like the ticket, and tef gel looks promising...I'll just stay away from jam nut portion of thread for proper torque.

Are you sure that's corrosion Tim? It looks a lot like what I generally see on lower rudder rod end bearings as an accumulation of belly oil and dirt. On almost every RV tail dragger, you're going to get dirt accumulating on whatever oil/lubrication is there.

Just asking because I have never seen corrosion on those things - even when I lived in a salt air environment - but I have seen lots of grime....

Paul

I'd like to see what it looks like cleaned up - it is hard to see if the threads are corroded / damaged, or just caked with gunk like others have mentioned.

I thought that was the case at first but the picture is AFTER I took it to a wire brush then to a wire wheel on the bench grinder. Its definitely corrosion. Anyway at only $16 a piece its worth replacing all of them on a flight control.

Interesting though is the lower rudder fairing didn't have a drain hole in it per plans and water had collected in it. I wonder if the lower bearing being in close proximity to it had anything to do with the corrosion being worse.

BTW...fully enjoyed your webinar a couple weeks ago!

I've had good success with this product called Eck.
https://www.vannay.com/

No relationship other than happy customer.

George