Bellcrank puzzle

[Mark Jackson]

Originally Posted by goatflieg

Same here. Took mine to a machinist for inspection. Both the bellcranks and bushings were not straight. He touched them up, got them straight and recommended Kluber Isoflex Topas NB 52 as being the best lubricant for the application. Got a small tube from CNC Online Store. Expensive... but good stuff.

How do you check something like the bellcrank for straightness? I have a couple setup blocks I could use to check the bushing.

[goatflieg]

It was a while ago, I don't remember the precise method he used. A couple ways come to mind... he probably had a reamer of the correct diameter; I did not.

[BillL]

I had the same issue with the pilots stick and just used the same reamer on this bell crank . . . and it then worked smoothly.

[EXflyer]

Originally Posted by edbooth

Also, when reaming, pull the reamer through rather than pushing it through like a drill bit, makes a little cleaner hole...an old machinist showed me this.

Sounds more like you are the old machinist with that statement as many don't understand a reamer and how it works. Still remember doing my RV3 tapered spar bolts or pins what fun. One time its way not enough and just a little more is almost too much. Once was enough doing that for me.

[rv8ch]

Originally Posted by edbooth

Also, when reaming, pull the reamer through rather than pushing it through like a drill bit, makes a little cleaner hole...an old machinist showed me this.

makes perfect sense - and the hole will probably be more square thanks to the stability of the reamer shaft - thanks for this tip!

[Mark Jackson]

The reamers came Saturday. They didn't do much to the actual inside of the tube on the bell cranks but they did smooth out the openings at the ends quite a bit. After reaming, the bushings fit in a lot better and after lubrication allowed the bell cranks to turn around the bushing and not the bolt.