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Lower Longeron Overhang

dwollen89

Well Known Member
I drilled the 4 lower longeron AN3 bolt holes to the steel corner firewall brackets. The instructions say the longeron should be about 1/8 inch above (or technically below as it’s upside down) the side skin. One side of mine is about 1/8 while the other side is almost flush. I have no idea why as this really isn’t something I have any control over. I tried to figure out if there is going to be any issues down stream, but I can’t find anything. Is anyone aware of any problems this could cause? Thanks!
 

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I drilled the 4 lower longeron AN3 bolt holes to the steel corner firewall brackets. The instructions say the longeron should be about 1/8 inch above (or technically below as it’s upside down) the side skin. One side of mine is about 1/8 while the other side is almost flush. I have no idea why as this really isn’t something I have any control over. I tried to figure out if there is going to be any issues down stream, but I can’t find anything. Is anyone aware of any problems this could cause? Thanks!
The firewall flange is not pre-punched to the side skins, so the firewall in relation to the skin can be moved around a bit, and that will change where the lower longeron falls.
 
Either one of your longerons is bent slightly differently than the other, or you have a twist in the fuselage assembly?
 
Either one of your longerons is bent slightly differently than the other, or you have a twist in the fuselage assembly?
Frankly, it’s hard to say what caused it. I measured the top and bottom side skin rivets at the firewall in relation to the flanges and they are exactly the same. All the pre-punched holes have lined up without issue. I think there is a good chance that the quality of my firewall from the factory is not great. At the end of the day I’m worried about 1/16 inch difference from one side to the other which is probably being too critical. I spoke with vans and they said build on, some variances are normal.
 
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