AlexPeterson
Well Known Member
I have the standard Van's prop control cable (made by ACS products, Lake Havasu city AZ). I found the following during the annual conditional inspection:
![](/community/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fimg135.imageshack.us%2Fimg135%2F9756%2Fpropcontrolcable003xa0.jpg&hash=26bcb55d45591f5c72be4a6518919f60)
While the cable continues to function like this, the possibility of the cable buckling upon advancement is certainly there. I noticed this same condition on an RV4 several years ago, so it is not a freak failure. The tube is supposed to be captured loosely in the swage, so that it can move through small angles, sort of like a ball joint. It appears its only function is to prevent buckling of the cable during advancement. In any case, it is something to watch for.
I may slide a piece of silicone tubing over this joint as a preventative measure, clamping on both ends for my throttle and mixture controls. This silicone tube would prevent the metal tube shown in the picture from being able to slide apart.
![](/community/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fimg135.imageshack.us%2Fimg135%2F9756%2Fpropcontrolcable003xa0.jpg&hash=26bcb55d45591f5c72be4a6518919f60)
While the cable continues to function like this, the possibility of the cable buckling upon advancement is certainly there. I noticed this same condition on an RV4 several years ago, so it is not a freak failure. The tube is supposed to be captured loosely in the swage, so that it can move through small angles, sort of like a ball joint. It appears its only function is to prevent buckling of the cable during advancement. In any case, it is something to watch for.
I may slide a piece of silicone tubing over this joint as a preventative measure, clamping on both ends for my throttle and mixture controls. This silicone tube would prevent the metal tube shown in the picture from being able to slide apart.