Cracked A steps

[skiandtom]

Several of us A type owners ( I have an RV-7A) have had to replace or repair a cracked step. I have had the experience and I think I have figured out the easiest way to remove and replace the step. You don’t have to drill off any panels. Get out your plans and determine where the inner block is under the baggage floor and cut an oval shaped hole over it and remove the bolt. Next drill out the rivets holding the step out and pull the step straight out. You can remove the screwed on panel over the flap pushrod so you can vacuum out the River pieces. Repair or replace the step. It is easier to repair and reuse your old step of it can be repaired. Match drilling a new one would be challenging. If the crack does not extend around to the front side of the step, it should be possible to repair it. Van’s sells the repair gusset. I sent mine to the guy who builds the steps for Van. I wish I could remember his name. Quick turnaround. Anyway, pop rivet the new or repaired step in and make an oval shaped hole cover and pop it in over the hole in the floor.

[RV8JD]

Originally Posted by skiandtom

I sent mine to the guy who builds the steps for Van. I wish I could remember his name. Quick turnaround.

Russ McCutcheon:

https://vansairforce.net/community/member.php?u=2228

[skiandtom]

Russ McCutcheon. Now if I could find his contact info. He turned mine around in a week.

[abwaldal@gmail.com]

His phone number is 360-334-0688
Easy to work with and does an excellent job.
Art

[hoyden]

I'm building an RV-9 and plan to install steps. Are cracked steps a given? Is there some modification I can do to a new step to forestall cracking?

[PaulvS]

Originally Posted by hoyden

I'm building an RV-9 and plan to install steps. Are cracked steps a given? Is there some modification I can do to a new step to forestall cracking?

The design of the steps has been revised to include a gusset because the original steps are prone to cracking.
If your steps don't already have the gusset then it is well worth getting them welded during the build. The parts are available from Vans:
https://store.vansaircraft.com/wd-65...a-wd-657z.html

Attached pic shows gussets that have been welded on.

[fl-mike]

and the big mystery is:
Why is it always the passenger step that cracks? (first anyway)

[jask]

Vibrations cause the metal to become brittle. Stop the vibrations and you stop the cracking.

[Taltruda]

Originally Posted by fl-mike

and the big mystery is:
Why is it always the passenger step that cracks? (first anyway)

I would guess the same reason Cessna cowl flaps wear the right side more.. perhaps the prop spiraling slip stream? Or maybe the pilots step more gently than the passengers who might not..

[hoyden]

Thanks, Paul, for the update. My fuselage is scheduled for crating late September so now I know what to look for. Fingers crossed the gusset will be included.

Originally Posted by PaulvS

The design of the steps has been revised to include a gusset because the original steps are prone to cracking.
If your steps don't already have the gusset then it is well worth getting them welded during the build. The parts are available from Vans:
https://store.vansaircraft.com/wd-65...a-wd-657z.html

Attached pic shows gussets that have been welded on.