Has anybody else seen this on your rudder?

[PapuaPilot]

While working on a steering issue I pulled off my rudder to check some things. I discovered that the horn for the tailwheel chains are misaligned by about 2 degrees. The horn for the rudder cables are perfectly square to the rudder, but not the steering horn. In the picture you can see that the rudder is tipped to the right while resting on the steering horn. I haven't noticed any problems in flight, but the geometry on this part is fine. The geometry is slightly off for the steering. I haven't noticed any problems with steering either, but I have compensated by having an extra link of chain.

Has anybody else seen this problem? Is the offset intentional or might I have gotten an improperly welded rudder?


26082

[avidflyer]

Picture didn't show up for me.... JImChuk

[PapuaPilot]

Give it another try. I think it's showing now.

[109JB]

Looks to me like the horn on the right might be bent slightly.

[N14ND]

Mine is the same. Model 5. I assumed it was a welding fixture issue. Just the tailwheel steering horn.

[PapuaPilot]

Good to know. What might be the reason for this?

Now I wonder if it is still the case with the current model.

[Shadowrider]

Ours where the same so we cut them off, the chain mounts, and went to a full castering tailwheel and never looked back. Joking aside, it seems like I noticed ours being the same. We always had plans for a full castering tailwheel, so we cut off the chain mounts and covered over them. I am looking back through my pictures to see if I can tell but seems like ours where not straight either.

[patrick.hvac]

Good to know. What might be the reason for this?

Now I wonder if it is still the case with the current model.

My rudder is only a few months old and it's dead straight. Just double checked it.

[PapuaPilot]

My rudder is only a few months old and it's dead straight. Just double checked it.

Thanks, good to know.

[Maverick]

Phil, my model five rudder was straight. Made in December, 94'. What year was you kit built?
Fred

[PapuaPilot]

Mine was Dec. 1999.

[alexM]

I finally got a chance to check this on my KF5 and it is straight.