I've decided to cut off these weird fittings on my classic IV and put regular hinges on instead...
I've decided to cut off these weird fittings on my classic IV and put regular hinges on instead...
I hate to admit this, but, I actually dropped a wrench while tightening the rudder bolts, the wrench quickly found it's way to the inside bottom of the rudder. Yes, take all the nuts/washers/bolts out again and most carefully shake the rudder to retrieve the wrench. I then tied a piece of string onto the wrench thereafter.
If you only have to take the rudder off once to retrieve your parts you are doing well. And don't forget Murphy's Law is usually at work waiting until you are on the last bolt before you loose something inside...good times
Dan B
Mesa, AZ
I also hate to admit it but there may be a couple washers floating around inside my rudder!
I found I could chase down the pesky little buggers by using the magnet from the outside. I would drag them to where I could reach them with the telescoping magnet tool through the bottom hinge access hole.
Dorsal ~~^~~
Series 7 - Tri-Gear
912 ULS Warp Drive
a length of waxed lacing cord for tieing up wire bundles tied to the tool is really great for keeping it from falling out of sight . the super glue works to keep the nuts in the wrench and also the washers on top of the nuts until you get them started .
chuck
kitfox IV 1050
912ul warpdrive
flying B , yelm, wa
Hi John,
I am at this point with my Model 7 SS, so I read your explanation on how to install the hinge bolts. I have all the cutting and fitting work done on the rudder fairing, and the rudder fits fine with the fairing taped in place. The only things I haven't done yet are to: 1) cut the bolt access openings and 2) bond the fairing to the rudder. My rudder fairing has marks for the bolt access openings, and these marks are approximately 5/8" wide by 2" long. Rather than cut the openings right away, I first made up a cardboard template with this sized opening, taped it to the vertical tail at a hinge point, and tried "practicing" bolt installation. I think I can get the bolt in using your approach, but I don't think I can swing a wrench 10 degrees with this opening dimension. If I make the opening wider, it will be visible at neutral rudder. Do you happen to recall the dimensions of the bolt openings you made in your rudder fairing?
Thanks,
Dave
Forceps work great, can be bought at Harbor Freight. Been using them for years for hard to get at places.
Make covers for the acces holes. Doing that on my 7SS.
DesertFox4
Admin.
7 Super Sport912 ULS Tri-gear