Brake Pedal Alignment

[UnPossible]

Well it turns out I had two problems... one of my making and the other it looks like a design issue.

I did have the side flanges riveted on backwards. I have fixed that, but even with them now in the correct orientation, the brake pedals don't line up when the rudder bars are aligned due to the overhead rudder tubes being offset. (see below)



My plan is to order material to make new side flanges for at least two of the pedals. I'll clamp the rudder bars in alignment, then clamp the brake pedals in alignment, then finally drill the holes for the master cylinder to attach. This is what I did for my 7A, and everything aligns great.

I understand Van's desire to limit parts count (thus only making one part with the holes already drilled), but it seems like this would be a pretty easy fix from the factory to allow everything to line up.

Thanks,
Jason

[lr172]

Originally Posted by UnPossible

Well it turns out I had two problems... one of my making and the other it looks like a design issue.

I did have the side flanges riveted on backwards. I have fixed that, but even with them now in the correct orientation, the brake pedals don't line up when the rudder bars are aligned due to the overhead rudder tubes being offset. (see below)



My plan is to order material to make new side flanges for at least two of the pedals. I'll clamp the rudder bars in alignment, then clamp the brake pedals in alignment, then finally drill the holes for the master cylinder to attach. This is what I did for my 7A, and everything aligns great.

I understand Van's desire to limit parts count (thus only making one part with the holes already drilled), but it seems like this would be a pretty easy fix from the factory to allow everything to line up.

Thanks,
Jason

It seems apparent from the pic that the attachments are different (angle from main rudder support is obviously different). If you swapped left for right in the picture, you wouild have good alignment. I am sure if you read the plans again, that two different part numbers are called out for these attachments.

[UnPossible]

Maybe I am wrong, but it sure doesn't look like there are two different side flanges. Best I can tell, you get 4 of the F-1052B's with the holes all ready pre-drilled (which is causing the alignment issue)

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by lr172

It seems apparent from the pic that the attachments are different (angle from main rudder support is obviously different). If you swapped left for right in the picture, you wouild have good alignment. I am sure if you read the plans again, that two different part numbers are called out for these attachments.

I had the same problem in the kit I bought

Easily fixed, just swap the fore and aft "crossbars"....

[rocketman1988]

Are you certain that the WD-1006 Rudder Torque Tubes are located properly?

There is a WD-1006-R and a WD-1006-L...

[Kyle Boatright]

Originally Posted by az_gila

I had the same problem in the kit I bought

Easily fixed, just swap the fore and aft "crossbars"....

If you look at the plans, the crossbar with the far left pedal needs to be aft, not forward.

[UnPossible]

Originally Posted by Kyle Boatright

If you look at the plans, the crossbar with the far left pedal needs to be aft, not forward.

OK - I am an idiot....... if there was a way to screw up the rudder/ brake pedals, I found the way to do it! Thanks for your suggestions.... all is good now.

Jason

[wirejock]

I see it now!
Told ya I was missing it.
Do 10 builders substitute the one long bolt through both sides of each brake like many other do?

[lr172]

Originally Posted by az_gila

I had the same problem in the kit I bought

Easily fixed, just swap the fore and aft "crossbars"....

I see that this approach works and is correct. However, you will notice that the plans have different pedals for L and R, so there are different parts, just not the ones that I guessed. However, if the OP followed my advise and didn't get yours, he would struggle with linkage issues, as the cable connection tab would be too far aft.

Good catch.

Larry

[lr172]

Originally Posted by wirejock

I see it now!
Told ya I was missing it.
Do 10 builders substitute the one long bolt through both sides of each brake like many other do?

pedal assembly is fundamentally the same as the others. I know that I used a single long bolt for better rigidity. I also added helper springs for the master cylinders.

Larry