tc1234c
Well Known Member
I am sure that no one made the dumb mistake I did. Just in case anyone did, my experience may save you. Yesterday I got an email from a 6A builder telling me that he saw my 9A at MERFI on Sunday and found my flap push rod end bearings were installed wrong (see picture below):
When I think about it, it is so clear what the problem was. But I did not catch it over the past 230 hrs. My FSDO inspector did not catch it a year ago neither. I am grateful to Tony for his keen observation. It might have saved my life if one of the rod end bearings fails.
This morning I spent an hour correcting the problem and test flown the airplane. The bearings are still in good shape without any free play. Here is the correct installation:
(new picture. Blue loctit on threads, lock washer added. Washer above the jam nut to be removed.)
Check your installation and make sure you did not make the same mistake I made.
When I think about it, it is so clear what the problem was. But I did not catch it over the past 230 hrs. My FSDO inspector did not catch it a year ago neither. I am grateful to Tony for his keen observation. It might have saved my life if one of the rod end bearings fails.
This morning I spent an hour correcting the problem and test flown the airplane. The bearings are still in good shape without any free play. Here is the correct installation:
(new picture. Blue loctit on threads, lock washer added. Washer above the jam nut to be removed.)
Check your installation and make sure you did not make the same mistake I made.
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