Autopilot roll servo install questions

[airguy]

I'm about to close up the bottom skin on the right wing, and all the documentation I can find on the Dynon roll servo indicates it gets installed AFTER this point, through the access panel. It looks a little tight to me, I'm thinking it would be easier to install prior to riveting the bottom skin - what's the story here? Is there really enough access room to do that work later?

 

[PhatRV]

It will be tight after you rivet the bottom but it is 100% accessible, but not as easy as before.
During final installation, you will have to make a lot of small adjustments to the aileron linkages where the roll servo is located to fine tune the aileron connections so you will get used to messing around this tight space sooner or later.

 

[lr172]

It is not bad during initial install, as you just flip the wing over on your table or do it in the cradle. It is NOT fun doing it from the bottom. I probably should have done it before the skin, but no regrets, as it wasn't that bad. You have a decent chance that you will need that space for bucking on the bottom skin. Now that was a tough job, as I had to do it solo. My arm looked I was attacked by a cat.

 

[Kyle Boatright]

I’d install the wing skin first. The servos should be installable/removable for maintenance. I’ve got Garmin and just swapped the servo as part of a service bulletin. Not a big deal through the access panel.

 

[riseric]

FWIW,
While it's possible to install thru the inspection panel, I installed mine before the bottom skin.
Much easier
(don't mind the "loose" safety wire in the 2 last photos, it was corrected)
The first photo shows the servo with the skins installed.

 

[sansoneservices]

As previously stated it can be done with only the inspection panel open. More often that's the case, But your suggestion to do it before the skin is installed would be my choice. Just make certain you will still have good access through the inspection panel for later maintenance