Steel wire rudder lock

[Ed_Wischmeyer]

My RV-9A came with the standard upside down U steel wire rudder lock that goes through the rudder stop and the bellcrank. The wire also was threaded through a red ribbon.

In an episode that makes no sense, all that blew off the rudder last year, and with Oshkosh coming up, I need to replace the wire.

Where does one get four inches of such wire? Steel, yes, but I don't even know what to ask for or where to ask.

In other "news," in addition to order parts to fix one fuel cap, I've ordered a spare.

Thanks!

Ed

[Bruce]

Ed
I would go to local hardware store.
Probably make you buy 1 foot so you will have 3
By the time you are done.

Put other 2 in emergency kit.

Will need swag tool to finish them.

Boomer

[Ed_Wischmeyer]

Local hardware store has 3/32 and 5/16.

Last time I asked, they didn't have any.

That was too easy...

Ed

[koupster]

Ed,

My choice would be the 5/16th rod stock.
You may chose to put a small angle bend in the horizontal section of the upside down U. That can allow some flex in the horizontal portion, preventing the bending of the legs.
If you loop that red ribbon through the tail tie down after installing the device, it's much less likely to blow away.

[terrye]

Lots of examples of the steel wire rudder lock failing in a big blow (what...does that ever happen at Osh?).
I'm going to make padded plates that go on each side of the rudder counterbalance horn at the top with a small tab that goes through the gap between the rudder and the VS. A pip pin or ball lock pin goes through the tab on the outside of the plates to lock the rudder in place.

[edclee]

Here is what I made for my RV-9A. Works the best of any solution I have tried or seen. Trim to get an exact fit for your plane. Drop 10-32 screws into the holes and it works a charm. I fabricated a 1" pvc pipe to hold the stick in the back, left position to hold ailerons and elevator.
Ed

[FLY6]

Might want to look for some stock at a hobby shop that sell to the radio control plane and car people. That’s where I got mine.

[Ed_Wischmeyer]

Most places that advertised "wire" really meant braided cable. I found 3/16 steel rod at Home Depot and will try that.

First step will be to clean off all the grease! And I hope it won't rust.

[PerfTech]

Originally Posted by Ed_Wischmeyer

My RV-9A came with the standard upside down U steel wire rudder lock that goes through the rudder stop and the bellcrank. The wire also was threaded through a red ribbon.

In an episode that makes no sense, all that blew off the rudder last year, and with Oshkosh coming up, I need to replace the wire.

Where does one get four inches of such wire? Steel, yes, but I don't even know what to ask for or where to ask.

In other "news," in addition to order parts to fix one fuel cap, I've ordered a spare.

Thanks!

Ed

---Hi! Ed
You may want to consider a real solution like our "Ultimate Gust Lock" that will
protect all the surfaces, and controls on your aircraft. Go to AntiSplatAero.com,
and have a look them as well as our other products. Thanks, Allan

[SeanB]

Allan,

Will you be at OSH? A friend of mine just puchased a gust lock from you. Looks nice, he says it works well. I may be ready to purchase.

Thanks,