Rudder Control Horn Wear

[jim miller]

I have noticed the rudder horn on my RV3 (Where the tailwheel springs
attach) is showing some wear of the holes. I have yet to fly the plane
myself and it has just 200 hrs TT. I am considering riveting on a steel
plate to beef up the alum horn to prevent future wear. Has anyone else
noticed this problem and any suggested solutions?

Thanks
Jim Miller

[Mel]

Originally Posted by jim miller

I have noticed the rudder horn on my RV3 (Where the tailwheel springs
attach) is showing some wear of the holes. I have yet to fly the plane
myself and it has just 200 hrs TT. I am considering riveting on a steel
plate to beef up the alum horn to prevent future wear. Has anyone else
noticed this problem and any suggested solutions?
Thanks
Jim Miller

Install "eye" bolts in the horn and attach the springs to them. Replace them when they wear.

[N941WR]

Originally Posted by Mel

Install "eye" bolts in the horn and attach the springs to them. Replace them when they wear.

Check out the 5/27/07 entry on the 4th fuselage page of my website for details and part numbers.

[mannanj]

Originally Posted by jim miller

I have noticed the rudder horn on my RV3 (Where the tailwheel springs
attach) is showing some wear of the holes. I have yet to fly the plane
myself and it has just 200 hrs TT. I am considering riveting on a steel
plate to beef up the alum horn to prevent future wear. Has anyone else
noticed this problem and any suggested solutions?

Thanks
Jim Miller

Jim:

I had some scrap 1/8th thick mild steel strap laying around the hangar. It was about 1/2 in. wide so I cut off 2 pieces about 1 in. longer than the rudder horn. I spaced it with the tab ends equidistant fore and aft over the rudder horn, then drilled 4 holes. Two to fit the holes in the rudder horn for AN-3 bolts, and one in either end. On the forward end you attatch the rudder cable fork. on the aft end you can either use an eye-bolt or just put the spring ends there. If it wears, it's easy to replace and you're not sacrificing the aluminum material in your rudder horn.

Hope this helps.

[jim miller]

Originally Posted by mannanj

Jim:

I had some scrap 1/8th thick mild steel strap laying around the hangar. It was about 1/2 in. wide so I cut off 2 pieces about 1 in. longer than the rudder horn. I spaced it with the tab ends equidistant fore and aft over the rudder horn, then drilled 4 holes. Two to fit the holes in the rudder horn for AN-3 bolts, and one in either end. On the forward end you attatch the rudder cable fork. on the aft end you can either use an eye-bolt or just put the spring ends there. If it wears, it's easy to replace and you're not sacrificing the aluminum material in your rudder horn.

Hope this helps.

We must think alike. I am 1/2 done doing exactly what you describe. I had
some 1/8 inch 4130 and milled a 1/2 inch wide piece and have one side
drilled so far. My tailwheel springs attach with those clips so I am going to
drill that end only 1/8" and see in the clip will go thru. I will post a photo
when I get done.

Thanks
Jim Miller

[jim miller]

Mel
My rudder horn is too worn on one hole for eye bolts alone but using a
eye-bolt in conjuction with the 4130 strap, maybe replacing the rear
an-3 bolt with the eye bolt rather than extending the strap rear-ward.

Thanks
Jim miller