Wing fit - Page 6

Mich48041 · #51 11-08-2010, 07:18 PM

John,
I did not look for damage. But I do not believe the tool is powerful enough to cause damage. If there were damage, I think that it would be noticed when inserting the wing pin. But the pin slid right in with no binding. Some guys pound the pin in with a hammer. I think that if anything is going to damage the brass bushings, forcing the wing pin in would do it because the tapered end of the pin has a steep pitch.
Even though the tool is sold for expanding tail pipes, the user reviews that I read said that the tool only works on thin pipe. One can control the expanding force by varying the torque on the wrench. When the wrench starts getting hard to turn, stop and try putting the wing pin in the other hole, then tighten the tool more if needed.
The bottom line is that I do not know if the tool causes damage or not. So use at your own risk. I do not plan to take the wings off very often. I do not think that the tool will hurt anything with infrequent use, especially if excessive force is not used on the wrench.
By the way, Van's included a "go-no go" gauge with the kit for testing the wing spar bushing holes. But I never did see any directions for its use.
Joe

MartySantic · #52 11-08-2010, 07:50 PM

Directions for use of the go-no go gauge are in the conditional inspection section, think Chapter 3 of the Maintenance Instructions.

Just ran across it with my 1st conditional inspection.

BigJohn · #53 11-08-2010, 08:03 PM

Thanks Marty, I've been scratching my poor bald head over that thing! I just went through all the "G" sections looking for it. So it doesn't get used for a year........... Gotcha!

AirHound · #54 01-21-2019, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mich48041

That tool is a great idea, John. I had another idea but have not tried it. How about a pipe expanding tool like this?
Harbor Freight has them for $10.
http://www.harborfreight.com/small-t...der-37352.html
J.C.Whitney has them for $34.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/muffler-and...terid=c21437j1
Joe

Joe Hi,
This is Doug in IL is this HF tool still recommended?

Mich48041 · #55 01-21-2019, 09:15 AM

I still use the pipe expander. I hesitate to recommend it because it could damage the wing pin bearings if over tightened. Another option is to use very long cargo straps between the two wingtips. With the canopy open, the cargo straps pass over the top of the cockpit. Tightening the straps pulls the wings inward. It also helps to lift the wingtips slightly, just enough to remove the stress at inboard end of the spars. If installing the wings solo, saw horses can be put under the wingtips to support them. Look into the spar attachment holes to determine if the wing needs to move in or up or down.

JBPILOT · #56 01-21-2019, 10:40 AM

I like the tailpipe expander method, but have also done the following.

Put a strong 'C' clamp on the top of each spar INSIDE and use a tie down ratchet to pull them together. Very fast and easy.

rv3flier · #57 01-21-2019, 12:33 PM

JBPilot,

Picture of your C clamp idea? Did you use wood shims under the C clamp ends?

AirHound · #58 01-21-2019, 04:57 PM

Thank you Joe!

AirHound · #59 01-21-2019, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBPILOT

I like the tailpipe expander method, but have also done the following.

Put a strong 'C' clamp on the top of each spar INSIDE and use a tie down ratchet to pull them together. Very fast and easy.

John, so does Strong C clamp mean just slap em on and muscle them down tight however so they don?t slide off when being pulled against each other. Like wrench tight?

JBPILOT · #60 01-21-2019, 05:46 PM

I just put the 'C' clamps on tight so they don't move ( thus H D ). You will get a little surface mark, but nothing serious. I then use a ratchet type tie-down between them ( all on the inside ), and it does not take a lot of pull to get them in enough to get pins in. Fairly fast and simple tools most already have. I don't have a pic of doing it.