airshawn58
Member
My foot pedals depress a couple inches before they the cable tightens. It seems excessive. How much rudder cable slack/play is normal?
I would check the rudder pedal’s lower pivot points. Most of us have put in a solid rod across the pedals to act as a pivot, instead of the two bolts. If the pedals are hanging up and causing slack, it might be the pedal pivots are binding.
I would like to reinforce both Bob Turners and kiwipete's comments. The cable is meant to be slack until you place both feet on the respective rudder pedals.
On my aircraft I have drilled additional holes in both F-719 supports and also the F-6118 bracket. This allows me to move the 2 F-6116 blocks plus the F-6115 block backwards or forward to achieve the desired rudder position. Plus it will make it easier for a new owner if I sold it to adjust it their desired rudder position.
The other adjustment is made with the 4 F-6119 spacers to achieve the final position of the pedals (i.e. manufacture longer or shorter spacers).
The important fundamental is:-
1. When you place your feet on both rudder pedals are you happy with the final position for your leg length.
2. Can you move the rudder pedals so that the rudder touches the stops on both sides without having to excessively stretch your legs.
If you are happy with your answer to both of the above you do not need to make any adjustments.
If you are not happy with one or both answers you need to review your options and decide which action to take to achieve the desired result.
My comment to John S' post is that I think he is referring to the brake pedals which are attached to the rudder pedals which has no impact on the rudder cable.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
The brake pedals have a real impact on the rudder cable....
The rudder cables need to counteract all the pressure that is applied to the brakes. Broken cable or link= no brakes or at the most, brake on the good cable side at full rudder deflection.