Tip-up canopy gas strut nuts: how??

[Buggsy2]

RV-9A, but this should also apply to the RV-7 series. How can I get the nuts onto the aft gas strut flush screws?



As the plans show, these two washers/nuts are inside the aft canopy deck; I can't even get them on with my fingers, let alone tightened with a wrench. What did you guys do?

[N941WR]

It is real simple


(Click to enlarge)

[Buggsy2]

Bill: YOU are the MAN.

Never woulda thought of that. Thanks.

RF

[tmbg]

Clever. I punted and installed rivnuts

[bruceh]

I did similar to Bill.



You will need to get one size longer screws than the plans call out.

[N941WR]

Originally Posted by Buggsy2

Bill: YOU are the MAN.

Never woulda thought of that. Thanks.

RF

Thanks, like many tips I did not invent this one but took someone else's suggestion. All I did was document it.

[BSwayze]

Here's a little trick that made this very easy for me, after frustrating myself for a while first. This is so simple. I ended up putting a sticky substance on the tip of my finger. I actually used a dab of honey out of the honey jar in the kitchen. I figured it's a harmless substance, and you get to lick your fingers when you're done! The washer stays stuck to your fingertip long enough to reach under and around the bottom flange and slip it on the screw. For the nut, I held it sort of between two fingers and managed to get it in place and turn the screw to get it on. You can also see my little 5/16" open-end wrench that I was able to slip underneath to hold the nut while I tightened the screw from the outside. Once I had this method figured out, I was able to get them on without too much difficulty.



Here's the finished installation...

[tmbg]

Bruce, FuelLube works excellent as a washer-stickin'-agent.

[robertahegy]

Originally Posted by tmbg

Bruce, FuelLube works excellent as a washer-stickin'-agent.

But it doesn't taste as good!! I used double sided tape on my finger tips.

Roberta

[tmbg]

Originally Posted by robertahegy

But it doesn't taste as good!! I used double sided tape on my finger tips.

Roberta

you're not wrong about that! However, I have noticed that it smells like cheetos.