The last few years that I owned my old Grumman Yankee were part of what convinced me to build the RV-8 - it had reached the point that wear from vibration and abrasion was son going to destroy several components that were going to be just too costly (or impossible) to replace. Cowl flanges, wheel pant brackets, aileron torque tubes - these components were scarce if they could be found at all! getting out and letting someone who wanted to do a complete restoration was my answer there.
When i started flying the RV, I was absolutely astounded at the many hundreds of problem-free hours I experienced, and still am as I come razor-close to the first thousand hours on the clock. But wear is not avoidable - there are a few places that you just have to keep an eye on, and replace as necessary. I thought it might be an interesting discussion to see if there are points common within the RV fleet. The wear points I have to watch:
1) tail wheel knuckle to spring bolts (2 of them) - have had to replace them on both the -8 and the -6 after about 800 hours or so.
2) Carb Heat Lever to Cable "bug nut" - wore right through the lever arm!
3) Tail wheel Control arm - the "U"-shape for the spring pin gets wider.
Paul
When i started flying the RV, I was absolutely astounded at the many hundreds of problem-free hours I experienced, and still am as I come razor-close to the first thousand hours on the clock. But wear is not avoidable - there are a few places that you just have to keep an eye on, and replace as necessary. I thought it might be an interesting discussion to see if there are points common within the RV fleet. The wear points I have to watch:
1) tail wheel knuckle to spring bolts (2 of them) - have had to replace them on both the -8 and the -6 after about 800 hours or so.
2) Carb Heat Lever to Cable "bug nut" - wore right through the lever arm!
3) Tail wheel Control arm - the "U"-shape for the spring pin gets wider.
Paul