Canopy latch bearing blocks (tipup)

[Greg Arehart]

I'm putting in the rear canopy latch on my 9A tipup and the steel latch bar is REALLY tight in the plastic bearing blocks, on both sides . This is not an alignment problem, rather a hole size problem (if anything). I tried a bit of lubricant, which helps a bit but it is still very stiff turning (I can barely turn it by hand). Is this normal and it will loosen up with time? Is it possible to slightly enlarge the holes in the bearing blocks (sandpaper?)? I'm worried that if it remains this stiff, the latch will be impossible to work, particularly from outside the airplane.

Thanks for any suggestions.

greg

[Rockyjs]

Greg,
Mine was very tight also. The ends of the steel weldment were rough which I soothed out. I used some sandpaper on the blocks themselves which had machining ridges, and used some lubricant. They moved much easier and improved over time. Mine were tight enough initially that I was concerned about bending something.