VS-1010 AD4-7 Rivets (too short)
 

-7 rivets that pass thru VS rear spar assembly to attach VS-1010 lower rudder hinge brackets appear too short. Squeezed two of em and clearly too short verified with gauge. What?s the solution? Thanks in advance. Reference: 6-4 Step 7.

I remember mine were the same way. I don’t have my VS close so I don’t quite remember, but I think I went up a length on the rivet. The rivets Vans call out are the ones you drove. I checked with a friend on his flying -10, and his has the rivets Vans calls out, no issues. There’s a few places in the plans that use a rivet call out that don’t quite make a spec shop head.

Went ahead and ordered some -8 and -9 rivets.

Don't forget that the specification covering riveting is what governs, not a gauge. I've found gauges do not necessarily conform to the spec.

The specification says that for -4 rivets, the shop head thickness must be .050 to .070 and its minimum diameter is .163.

Dave