Elevator Counterbalance Rib E-903 seems incorrectly made and doesn't match plans.

[M1neralman101]

So I am starting on the Elevator, and I am at the point of assembling the counterbalance ribs for the first time with clecos. I noticed a large gap where the flanges of E-903 are not at the same height. Is this the correct rib, or is this common? I was going to contact Vans support, but thought I'd reach out here first. Seems the rib is different from what is depicted on the plans, maybe a revision, but something seems off. I got my emp kit a year ago. Anyone run into this? Am I missing something? Thoughts?

 

[kirkbauer]

Do you remember if the original label on the part was something like E-903-1? They add revision numbers to the end when they make deliberate changes. It has been long enough that I don't remember for sure, but I'm pretty sure my parts from about 1.5yr ago looked like the plan.

 

[M1neralman101]

Do you remember if the original label on the part was something like E-903-1? They add revision numbers to the end when they make deliberate changes. It has been long enough that I don't remember for sure, but I'm pretty sure my parts from about 1.5yr ago looked like the plan.

The label did have a -1 on the end (E-903-1), so probably a revised part.

 

[Raiz]

It's a long while ago for me now but I'm pretty sure there is a step there because the elevator skin makes up the difference in height. Look ahead in the plans and see where the elevator skin goes.

Your flanges look as though they are turned up a little, just to the left of the cleco in your photo. That can be straightened out and it will make the step smaller.

 

[JeffPeters]

Pretty sure skin goes in there

 

[M1neralman101]

So I am starting on the Elevator, and I am at the point of assembling the counterbalance ribs for the first time with clecos. I noticed a large gap where the flanges of E-903 are not at the same height. Is this the correct rib, or is this common? I was going to contact Vans support, but thought I'd reach out here first. Seems the rib is different from what is depicted on the plans, maybe a revision, but something seems off. I got my emp kit a year ago. Anyone run into this? Am I missing something? Thoughts?

Just to illustrate what is front & back, I updated my image below. I read ahead in the plans, but unless I am misreading something, I do not see a specific mention of how this skin nests under this. It seems it would lie on the top overlapping, but the step in the flanges would need to be the opposite of what it is. If tucked under the exposed edge of the skin, it would face forward into the wind, causing drag. I would think the overlapped edge would need to face backwards. Does the skin get sucked & bent down to create a relief area for the skin to sit?

 

[M1neralman101]

This is an image I found in the RV10 Facebook group of someone else's elevator, showing an older revision of the rib and how the skin is supposed to sit. Thought I'd put it on here too, might help.

 

[Raiz]

So, I went and checked my elevators and it's difficult to see now the tips are on and they are painted but my E-903 look like the last post and not like yours. I wonder if you've been sent the wrong part or perhaps Vans have changed the design. I think you'd best contact Vans unless someone here has a more recent kit.

 

[M1neralman101]

I already sent an email to Vans support. Hopefully, some response soon! Thanks for everyones help!

 

[jacoby]

Look at the instructions closely and you'll see that the E-903 has a joggle depicted. It's right at the arrow pointing at E-913 in Figure 3 and roughly two screw/three rivet holes forward of the rear of the E-913 strap.

My E-903 has the joggle. It looks like your E-903-1 part has a step instead.

 

[M1neralman101]

Look at the instructions closely and you'll see that the E-903 has a joggle depicted. It's right at the arrow pointing at E-913 in Figure 3 and roughly two screw/three rivet holes forward of the rear of the E-913 strap.

My E-903 has the joggle. It looks like your E-903-1 part has a step instead.

I do see that now! Im going to do some pre-assembly to see how everything lays out. Thank you!

 

[jacoby]

I do see that now! Im going to do some pre-assembly to see how everything lays out. Thank you!

I briefly looked at my elevators before I posted and I don't know why it has that joggle/step but it is by design. It's a bit weird but it seems to work out in the end.