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04-25-2014, 02:44 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Aspen CO
Posts: 3
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Mystery Castle Nut
While cleaning up the plane yesterday, I found a castle nut in the passenger footwell area. No pin or bolt, just a lone nut.
Checked all of the rudder control linkages and none are missing any nuts. I can't think of any other places in that area where the nut might have come from.
Any ideas of other areas I should check? I'm a bit anxious to fly knowing that something isn't being held together at the moment...
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04-25-2014, 02:46 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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Welcome to VAF!
Jamie, first off, welcome aboard the good ship VAF.
Did you build the plane, or purchase it??
If you built it, I would suggest you look at the plans and see where such a nut would be used--------that will give you a head start into where to look for a missing nut------if in fact one is actually missing in action, and not just a dropped leftover from the building process.
If you bought it flying, hopefully you got the plans..................
What model of RV do you have, may help somebody to make accurate suggestions as to where to look.
General rule-of-thumb is to use a castle nut anyplace where the bolt is used as a pivot/axle-----such as the rudder pedal and brake master cylinders where you are already looking.
Also, what size is it -3, -4 or something else?? May help to determine where it came from.
Good to have you aboard 
__________________
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."
Last edited by Mike S : 04-25-2014 at 02:52 PM.
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04-25-2014, 03:00 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Davis, CA, USA
Posts: 540
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So far in my fuselage assy there are castle nuts on:
- rudder control cables
- brake cylinder/pedals
- control stick assy. (1 each at left and right stick)
- top of flap motor assy
Can't think of any more right now.
__________________
Jeff Caplins
California
RV7 N76CX
(started: Feb 2002 --> Completed: May 2016)
Last edited by jcaplins : 04-25-2014 at 03:13 PM.
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04-25-2014, 03:26 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Aspen CO
Posts: 3
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Thanks guys - Glad to be here!
I'll check the brake master cylinder. It seems the most likely candidate.
In response to the questions above, the plane is an RV-7. I was not the original builder, but I've got most of the documents and plans on hand. I'm not sure on the nut sizing, but it's the same as those used on the rudder assembly.
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04-25-2014, 03:33 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 AspenFlyer
I'm not sure on the nut sizing, but it's the same as those used on the rudder assembly.
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What size wrench fits it---------3/8, 7/16, 1/2"??
__________________
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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04-25-2014, 03:47 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: St. Paul, MN.
Posts: 4,792
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I didn't catch whether yours was a tip up or a slider. I have a tip and used a bolt and castlenut (the Checkoway method) in place of the quick release pins on the canopy hinges.
Also, if yours is a tip-up, there's also a castle nut on the canopy locking mechanism. Granted that's on the pilots side but you never know.
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04-25-2014, 06:32 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 2,357
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I often used castle nuts as temporary nuts during the building process, if I needed a nut to hold something in place, but knew that I would be removing that item again. I did this to avoid installing and removing fibre-insert lock nuts.
If you have checked all possible bolts that could have castle nuts, perhaps this one was dropped during the build, and has only now come to light
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04-25-2014, 06:40 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Meridian ID, Aspen CO, Okemos MI
Posts: 2,645
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Aspen?
Hey, are you based at Aspen airport? Im just down the hill near Glenwood Springs. Im building a 9A - when I am home. I work out of state often and Im in Michigan right now. When I get back, we will have to get together.
If will be nice having another RV in the area.
__________________
rockwoodrv9a
Williamston MI
O-320 D2A
Awaiting DAR Inspection
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04-25-2014, 11:43 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: 57AZ - NW Tucson area
Posts: 10,011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin Horton
I often used castle nuts as temporary nuts during the building process, if I needed a nut to hold something in place, but knew that I would be removing that item again. I did this to avoid installing and removing fibre-insert lock nuts.
If you have checked all possible bolts that could have castle nuts, perhaps this one was dropped during the build, and has only now come to light
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I use hardware store nuts for temporary fastening.
The silver color vs. the gold color of the real aircraft nuts makes them easy to spot... 
__________________
Gil Alexander
EAA Technical Counselor, Airframe Mechanic
Half completed RV-10 QB purchased
RV-6A N61GX - finally flying
Grumman Tiger N12GA - flying
La Cholla Airpark (57AZ) Tucson AZ
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04-27-2014, 08:14 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Coal Point, Australia
Posts: 128
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Check the rest of the fuse, tip upsidedown etc etc shake and inspect carefully, this sort of floxam can jam critical flight controls.
For future reference including during maintainance. Never leave job until lost components or tools are found, sounds a bit sloppy to me..... This simple **** will kill you unexpectantly and quick, stuff rattling around in a aeroplane is bad news.
To be honest, i wouldn't expect or tollerate this sort of laps from a car mechanic. (athough they are renound for it), surgeons also leave **** inside patients, both have the bennifit of ground elevation and their own bacon isn't on the line...
Don't leave **** lying around during your build, a nut/washers should should be replaced on a bolt asap, unless its in the parts bin, also ask passangers and make sure you empty your own pockets before every flight.
A spanner, socket, nut, washer could kill you just as quick as a plastic pen, lighter, coin etc...
__________________
Regards,
Rob.
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