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rudder rod end bearing measurements

fabio

Active Member
on page 8-18 in the main manual the measurements are these:
· Top: 51/64”
· Middle 63/64’
· Bottom 1 3/64”
I tried to use these measurements but the top is too close , did you use these measurements or did you use a different?
 
Start there...

I used 51/64", 59/64" and 1 1/16" as specified in DWG 7, Revision 5 (R5 - 2/25/03) and then adjusted accordingly to get it to fit.
 
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Is the rudder counterbalance hitting the VS skin? That may require some trimming of the skin.

The thread pitch on those rod end bearings is 1/32", so just a half turn will give you 1/64" more or less. Get the top and bottom in and moving smoothly, then figure out where to set the middle one. You also may have to press on the forward edge where it is rolled to get the necessary shape that won't rub on the aft VS spar. Lots of springback in the rolling, so give it a good massage with the palm of your hands and make it into the shape required.
 
Thread engagement

With the RV8, holding the 63/64 dimension at the middle bearing leaves the rod end slightly less than 1/8" short of full thread engagement. Van's says this should be ok but just curious to see if anybody else encountered this. Top and bottom bearings are fully engaged at the specified dimensions.
 
With the RV8, holding the 63/64 dimension at the middle bearing leaves the rod end slightly less than 1/8" short of full thread engagement. Van's says this should be ok but just curious to see if anybody else encountered this. Top and bottom bearings are fully engaged at the specified dimensions.

Curious what you mean by "fully engaged". Do you mean that it is threaded all the way in to the base of the threads?
 
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