VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #1  
Old 02-06-2019, 06:40 AM
Mudfly Mudfly is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Alpharetta, Ga
Posts: 212
Default Aileron Bellcrank Grease

I'm ready to install the aileron bellcranks in the wings (RV14). Not sure about other models, but the bellcrank design for -14 has a brass bushing that is inserted into the steel housing of the bellcrank. The assembly is placed in position and secured using a AN4-32A. When the bolt is properly torqued, the bolt and brass bushing are to remain stationary with the rotation occurring between the bushing and the steel bellcrank. There is no mention in the plans of lubricating this rotation point, but I was thinking it may be a good idea. My question is what would be the better lubrication. LPS-2 and Lubriplate 630-AA are two products that I'm considering. It seems both may have pros and cons.
The pros for the Lubriplate would seem to be longer lasting. However, the con would be when it is time to replace, the bellcrank assembly would need to be disassembled. Also, will this lubriplate break down during the heat of the summer and drip out the bottom? That's what happens to grease in my grease guns out in the garage during summer. The pro for the LPS-2 would seem that when time to re-lube, it would just require opening the access panel on the bottom wing skin and applying fresh lube using a flexible tube. The con for LPS-2 would seem that it would need to be re-applied at shorter intervals.
I realize I'm overthinking this, but was just curious what others have used, and actual lubrication requirements for this part once in service.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]
__________________
Shawn Edwards
RV-14A (140174)
www.myrv14build.blogspot.com
2020 VAF Donation
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-06-2019, 07:24 AM
PilotjohnS PilotjohnS is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Southwest
Posts: 1,119
Default Check plans

The plans should say to use grease duringg assembly. I used Modil 1 synthetic wheel bearing grease from autozone.
__________________
John S

WARNING! Information presented in this post is my opinion. All users of info have sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for their use.

Dues paid 2020, worth every penny

RV9A- Status:
Tail 98% done
Wings 98% done
Fuselage Kit 98% done
Finishing Kit 35% canopy done for now
Electrical 5% in work
Firewall Forward 5% in work
www.pilotjohnsrv9.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-06-2019, 03:16 PM
BillL BillL is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central IL
Posts: 5,516
Default Just a thought . . . .

I made a bell crank for a different function and drilled a hole in the center of the tube with a deep chamfer so a small grease gun could be used to inject some lube. One would need some path for it to flow internally though.
__________________
Bill

RV-7
Lord Kelvin:
“I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about,
and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you
cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge
is of a meager and unsatisfactory kind.”
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-06-2019, 07:26 PM
rightrudder rightrudder is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Laguna Hills, CA
Posts: 1,805
Default

I used some quality wheel bearing grease as well.
__________________
Doug
RV-9A "slider"
Flew to Osh in 2017, 2018 & 2019!
Tail number N427DK
Donation made for 2020
You haven't seen a tree until you've seen its shadow from the sky -- Amelia Earhart
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-06-2019, 08:38 PM
N804RV's Avatar
N804RV N804RV is offline
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Mount Vernon, Wa
Posts: 643
Default

I tumbled the brass bushings for my bellcranks in a vibratory tumbler. I also ran a little 400 grit sand paper through the bellcrank and deburred the ends. Then, I assembled with just a little bit of Aeroshell 22 on the outside of the bushing.
__________________
Ken W.
Mount Vernon, WA
2020 VAF Supporter
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-06-2019, 09:51 PM
rvbuilder2002's Avatar
rvbuilder2002 rvbuilder2002 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by PilotjohnS View Post
The plans should say to use grease duringg assembly. I used Modil 1 synthetic wheel bearing grease from autozone.
The plans purposely don't say to use grease because you would have to disassemble it every year to re-lubricate it.

The oldest of Van's demonstrators with this style bellcrank are 20+ years old. They have all been maintained by regularly lubricating with LPS2 at each yearly condition (or 100 hr if that comes first.... the certification on all the demonstrators requires an inspection every 100 hrs if it is flown more than 100 per year) inspection.

None of the parts have ever been replaced and there is no appreciable wear so far.
__________________
Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.

Scott McDaniels
Van's Aircraft Engineering Prototype Shop Manager
Hubbard, Oregon
RV-6A (aka "Junkyard Special ")
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-06-2019, 10:25 PM
lr172 lr172 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 5,297
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002 View Post
The plans purposely don't say to use grease because you would have to disassemble it every year to re-lubricate it.

The oldest of Van's demonstrators with this style bellcrank are 20+ years old. They have all been maintained by regularly lubricating with LPS2 at each yearly condition (or 100 hr if that comes first.... the certification on all the demonstrators requires an inspection every 100 hrs if it is flown more than 100 per year) inspection.

None of the parts have ever been replaced and there is no appreciable wear so far.
I am curious what the recommendation is for the steel bushings on the front gear leg.

Larry
__________________
N64LR - RV-6A / IO-320, Flying as of 8/2015
N11LR - RV-10, Flying as of 12/2019

Last edited by lr172 : 02-06-2019 at 11:02 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-07-2019, 06:20 AM
Mudfly Mudfly is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Alpharetta, Ga
Posts: 212
Default Thanks

Quote:
Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002 View Post
The plans purposely don't say to use grease because you would have to disassemble it every year to re-lubricate it.

The oldest of Van's demonstrators with this style bellcrank are 20+ years old. They have all been maintained by regularly lubricating with LPS2 at each yearly condition (or 100 hr if that comes first.... the certification on all the demonstrators requires an inspection every 100 hrs if it is flown more than 100 per year) inspection.

None of the parts have ever been replaced and there is no appreciable wear so far.
Thanks Scott. I'll go with the LPS2 and add to my yearly condition inspection checklist to re-lubricate.
__________________
Shawn Edwards
RV-14A (140174)
www.myrv14build.blogspot.com
2020 VAF Donation
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-21-2019, 06:15 PM
1001001's Avatar
1001001 1001001 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Just Minutes from KBVI!
Posts: 1,039
Default

Glad to have found this thread! I was wondering about lubricating these during installation too. Has anyone else polished the inside of the bellcrank and the brass bushing as noted below? I think the tumbler idea is a good one. Maybe just a little bit of fine grit sandpaper on a dowel rod for the bellcrank as well. Then lube with LPS-2 as Scott says...

Quote:
Originally Posted by N804RV View Post
I tumbled the brass bushings for my bellcranks in a vibratory tumbler. I also ran a little 400 grit sand paper through the bellcrank and deburred the ends. ...
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-21-2019, 06:40 PM
Jake14 Jake14 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Seattle
Posts: 323
Default

here's an interesting thread on the bellcrank mounting and a modification suggestion which several builders incorporated...

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...d.php?t=119821
__________________
RV-14A flying 410 hrs
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:38 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.