Cracking on steps - Page 11

grayforge · #**101** 05-21-2014, 10:52 AM

It'd be interesting to see if the weld fix is permanent or if it eventually moves the failure to another location.

scard · #**102** 05-21-2014, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jclark

Scott (and others)

A friend of mine had a cracked step on his RV9A. We noticed it and monitored the crack. There was no "apparent" progression of the crack, BUT!!

One day while at my hangar for some avionics work, as I stepped on it, the step just "bent and broke". The crack was on the bottom.

Fortunately, I caught myself. I knew there was a crack and was careful stepping on it.

The point of the message is that the step can give way at any moment.

We replaced it with far less trouble than initially envisioned. Should have done it earlier.

Your mileage may vary.

James

Totally agree. I fully expect to find myself hitting the ground at some point if I let it go too long. It has sure trained me to make sure the I'm fully supporting myself with the rollbar and top skin while boarding

.

Bikeman55 · #**103** 07-14-2014, 04:51 PM

Hi Gang,
My RH step cracked a few months ago and I am finally starting the process of pulling it for repair. Would it be acceptable to cut a hole in the floor over the mounting block to access the retaining bolt instead of pulling the entire floor? My plan would be to cut about a 4"x4" square opening, install nut plates, and fabricate a panel to cover it. I am not that concerned that it is perfectly flush because the floor is carpeted. Appreciate any input.

lorne green · #**104** 07-14-2014, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bikeman55

Hi Gang,
My RH step cracked a few months ago and I am finally starting the process of pulling it for repair. Would it be acceptable to cut a hole in the floor over the mounting block to access the retaining bolt instead of pulling the entire floor? My plan would be to cut about a 4"x4" square opening, install nut plates, and fabricate a panel to cover it. I am not that concerned that it is perfectly flush because the floor is carpeted. Appreciate any input.

Even if you pull-riveted the floor, it would be faster to drill and re-install
the floor than to cut, fab and secure your two access panels. IMHO

PerfTech · #**105** 07-14-2014, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bikeman55

Hi Gang,
My RH step cracked a few months ago and I am finally starting the process of pulling it for repair. Would it be acceptable to cut a hole in the floor over the mounting block to access the retaining bolt instead of pulling the entire floor? My plan would be to cut about a 4"x4" square opening, install nut plates, and fabricate a panel to cover it. I am not that concerned that it is perfectly flush because the floor is carpeted. Appreciate any input.

Yes! Perfectly acceptable and it offers access later if desired. This is exactly what I did on my 9-A. I went to home depot aircraft parts a purchased a pair of stick on plastic circles intended to go on a wall to protect from door knobs. Worked great. Thanks, Allan..

Bikeman55 · #**106** 07-14-2014, 05:33 PM

Thanks Allan. Maybe I'll try those! Obviously the floor is non structural, considering the rivets aren't. My floor has lots of flush rivets at the back bulkhead and the center tunnel, don't really want to drill them.

Walt · #**107** 07-14-2014, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bikeman55

Obviously the floor is non structural, considering the rivets aren't.

I would suggest you ask Van's that question, my guess is the floors would be considered secondary structure and if you are going to modify them you need to treat them as such.

The RV12 is almost totally build with the same rivet so they are indeed being used in a "structural" application.

BillL · #**108** 07-14-2014, 06:03 PM

I was at Vans a month ago and took this pict of their step repair.

My steps will not fail but you may need this.

grayforge · #**109** 07-14-2014, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillL

I was at Vans a month ago and took this pict of their step repair.

My steps will not fail but you may need this.

Bill, what did you do to ensure your steps won't fail?

Thanks,
Russ

Sam Buchanan · #**110** 07-14-2014, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bikeman55

Thanks Allan. Maybe I'll try those! Obviously the floor is non structural, considering the rivets aren't. My floor has lots of flush rivets at the back bulkhead and the center tunnel, don't really want to drill them.

I consider the baggage floor in my RV-6 to be structural and an extension of the spar bulkhead structure. Just as Vans prohibits flight without the baggage bulkhead installed, I suspect they would feel the same about the baggage floor being compromised.

I wouldn't have any issues with adding an access port in the floor in my plane, but I would make it structural just as is a wing inspection port. But as has been stated, drilling out the pulled rivets is no big deal. I did it when I added a passenger step.