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10-02-2013, 09:05 PM
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VAF Moderator / Line Boy
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 12,256
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Check Composite Spinner Bulkheads....
I was cleaning up Tsamsiyu today for an airshow this weekend, and as I was cleaning bugs off the spinner, I noticed that it seemed a bit loose - it had a definite (small) wobble to it. Further examination revealed that the rear bulkhead of our WW-151 prop spinner appeared to be moving slightly relative to the hub. After removing the top cowl and spinner dome, it became apparent that the six AN4 bolts that hold the bulkhead to the hub were a little loose. I cut all the safety wire and tightened them up, then spent an hour resafetying them (as ad as prop bolts).
My conclusion on this is that the hold the bulkhead to the hub by essentially clamping the composite to the hub. The bolts couldn't loosen - they were wired - but the material probably gave a little. The lesson here is that these bolts probably need to be checked every couple of hundred hours (ours has 300 at this point - and they weren't loose at the last annual) - either the composite is getting crushed, relieving the torque on the bolt, or it is flowing with the same results.
For those without WW props - the prop comes with the spinner and the composite bulkhead - this does not apply directly to Van's spinners.
Paul
__________________
Paul F. Dye
Editor at Large - KITPLANES Magazine
RV-8 - N188PD - "Valkyrie"
RV-6 (By Marriage) - N164MS - "Mikey"
RV-3B - N13PL - "Tsamsiyu"
A&P, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor
Dayton Valley Airpark (A34)
http://Ironflight.com
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10-02-2013, 09:34 PM
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Senior Curmudgeon
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironflight
or it is flowing with the same results.
Paul
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That would be my guess.
__________________
Mike Starkey
VAF 909
Rv-10, N210LM.
Flying as of 12/4/2010
Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011 
Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.
"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
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10-02-2013, 10:12 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,670
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Same Here
Found similar issue on Whirlwind spinner for my 200RV prop. Spoke with a knowledgeable person who confirmed that the bolts should be torqued now and then. I was cautioned to NOT torque too tightly, as the fibers in the carbon fiber could be crushed. No specified torque.
My spinner was very noticeably loose after only about 30 hours. Easy to check on every pre-flight walk-around inspection.
__________________
Pete Hunt, [San Diego] VAF #1069
RV-6, RV-6A, T-6G
ATP, CFII, A&P
2020 Donation+, Gladly Sent
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10-02-2013, 10:51 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 2,125
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironflight
<snip> or it is flowing with the same results.
Paul
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Paul, can you elaborate on "flowing"? Thanks!
Cheers,
Bob
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10-03-2013, 07:26 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Bonita, Ca
Posts: 56
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Myabe not related but worth a read
I good friend of mine had a similar problem with a composite bulkhead and almost lost his prop. Probably not the same issue, it's a Berkut (pusher) with a catto wodden porpeller, but worth a read.
http://www.berkut13.com/ntxspinner.htm
Scott
__________________
Empannagee done
Wings 90% done
Received fuselage
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10-03-2013, 10:20 AM
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VAF Moderator / Line Boy
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 12,256
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rvmills
Paul, can you elaborate on "flowing"? Thanks!
Cheers,
Bob
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Well, composites CAN be sort of like glass - not really a solid, and actually a liquid. Sure, they seem solid in the short term, but in the long term, they can change shape like a liquid. So if you squeeze down on a composite, it can effectively "flow" away from the pressure points - that means you have to turn the bolt a little every once in awhile to keep a good clamping pressure.
__________________
Paul F. Dye
Editor at Large - KITPLANES Magazine
RV-8 - N188PD - "Valkyrie"
RV-6 (By Marriage) - N164MS - "Mikey"
RV-3B - N13PL - "Tsamsiyu"
A&P, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor
Dayton Valley Airpark (A34)
http://Ironflight.com
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