Broken hinge pin

Dgamble · #1 11-09-2009, 11:52 AM

I'm looking for suggestions for removing the remainder of a broken hinge pin. The broken one is one of the long ones that runs between the top and bottom cowls on my RV-6. It's broken off flush with the first hoop, so I don't see any way to grab ahold of it. It looks like I'll have to drill out the rivets that hold either the top or bottom hinge strip to the cowl, but I'd prefer not to do that if I can help it, if only because the paint will never match.

Gregmarlow · #2 11-09-2009, 12:20 PM

No way to tap it out with another section of hinge pin and hammer?

beechrv9a · #3 11-09-2009, 01:24 PM

Can you get at it with a Dremel grinding wheel?

rocketbob · #4 11-09-2009, 01:50 PM

Can you reach thru the oil door with a hook to push it out a small amount from the aft end so you can grab the forward end with a pair of needle nose vise grips?

Dgamble · #5 11-09-2009, 03:27 PM

It's on the other side of the plane from the oil door, and the only accessible side for pushing on it would be to push it in further.

That said, the original installation had it coming in from the panel and through the firewall. I later changed it to go in from the front. It's possible that I might be able to push it back through the firewall. I hadn't thought of that. It's certainly worth a try! Thanks for the suggestion!

rv6rick · #6 11-09-2009, 05:28 PM

Sounds like you're on it Dave. I would have told you to do some careful measuring and drill a small hole inside the firewall (maybe 1/4"). Then use a punch to give the pin a little shove forward. Having a hole there already is like eating vanilla pudding

.

Keep an eye on those pins.....I'm sure you'll replace both sides!

We missed you on Saturday!

When you coming down for a ride?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dgamble

It's on the other side of the plane from the oil door, and the only accessible side for pushing on it would be to push it in further.

That said, the original installation had it coming in from the panel and through the firewall. I later changed it to go in from the front. It's possible that I might be able to push it back through the firewall. I hadn't thought of that. It's certainly worth a try! Thanks for the suggestion!

Dgamble · #7 11-10-2009, 06:18 AM

Saturday was almost a little too windy for me, but close enough. It came down to a better day having been forecast for Sunday and a date with the Social Director to watch THE Ohio $tate Buckeyes play Penn St. on Saturday afternoon.

I try her patience mightily with my myriad distractions which now include building an actual, real live airplane, much to her consternation. If I can join her for an afternoon football date now and again it helps to keep the peace. It's all about balance. Plus, well, we're still hoping for the Rose Bowl.

As far as a visit to beautiful WV, that's in the cards for later this month. I have a ton of vacation time to burn up before the end of the year, so there will be some days in late November and mid December that will be looking to be filled. Assuming, of course, that I can repair my cowl situation. I went ahead and ordered both left and right replacement pins, figuring that if one broke the other will surely follow the example at the most inconvenient time. And, well, they're cheap. Why not, right?

Tom Martin · #8 11-10-2009, 06:52 AM

If you remove all the other fasteners from the cowling, including the pin hinge on the other side, you will probably be able to pry/pull the cowling open enough to get to the aft end of the hinge.

Dgamble · #9 11-11-2009, 05:57 AM

I drilled out the rivets last night - there was just no other way. I'll need a new hinge - some of the holes got elongated. I don't have access to the plans right now - can anyone tell me which of these I need to order:

http://www.vansaircraft.com/cgi-bin/...&product=hinge

Also, I'm going to have to repair the holes in the cowl. I'm thinking of filling them in with epoxy and microballoons. Does that seem like the best approach?

JonJay · #10 11-11-2009, 08:19 AM

I can look at the plans tonight and get the answer if someone does not beat me to it today or a quick call to Van's and you could have it.

Two other comments;
I have never heard of a hinge pin breaking, so I am a bit surprised, not that it broke, just that I have never heard of this.

For those still building, you can drill a hole in the firewall, aligned with the hinge pin, just big enough for the pin to slide in. You then leave the pin an inch or so longer. This "captured" pin keeps that portion of the cowl from bowing out in flight due to the pressures in the cowl as there is no support between the lower and upper cowl hinges on the firewall in that area.
In the example of a broken pin, I would be able to push it out from the inside of the cockpit, for what that is worth.