Hi Rob,
When I picked the Dimona up, it was derigged and the front rod end removed, but was in a box of parts. I didn’t think too much of it until I started putting all the back end bits together. The back two pins are a little longer than the front one to allow easier alignment . Also, all 3 pins have a rounded lead in piece at the tip (to help alignment as you push the tailplane on). I thought it was a bit dodgy when the front pin had no rounded lead in, and when the new front rod end turned up it was 10mm. The dodgy pin measured 11mm. Also I was able to turn it down easily which if it was made from High Tensile Steel, would be a lot more difficult. So to answer your question….. no because it didn’t fit the new rod end. The turned down (dodgy) pin fits OK and no play when all put together. But I am not going to use it …. Have ordered another from Diamond (via Hawker Pacific) so hope they have one. I just thought I would bring it to your attention as it would be real easy to continue using the dodgy pin. How it got there is really weird. I have also replaced the 4 * U/C rod ends as they were bent a little. The ones I installed were the proper part number and had an X stamped on the ends (Hi Tensile) The old ones were not. I think Nigels comments about the precious owners engineering skills are quite correct. However apart from the metal fittings the little ship is in reasonable condition. Best regards Ian Williams From: Rob Thompson [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 5:41 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [DOG mailing list] Dimona ZK-GCB We didn't see this with the 3 that Nigel and I did up.. Did it have noticeable play up and down at the leading edge of the stabiliser? Rob PO Box 129, Lawson, NSW, 2783. mobile 0429 493828 ............................................. _____ From: Ian Williams <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Wed, 13 April, 2011 8:13:30 AM Subject: [DOG mailing list] Dimona ZK-GCB Hi All, I thought you may be interested in another little issue that has surfaced with the work on this A/C. It is one of the ex Thai ones that went to Australia. SB 15/2 refers to the replacement of the front elevator mounting ball end. The original is a standard (but HTS) 10mm ball end with a nut to lock and the replacement has a shoulder and spacers to get in the correct position. However the pin that is slides on (in this case) was not the original and was not HTS but mild steel. Also its diameter was 11mm not 10. Also it did not have the lead in ball at the end. Initially I did not give it too much thought but now working in that area and having paid an arm and leg for the new rod end, having a non standard pin was just too dodgy. Has this been an issue with any of the others ?? Best regards Ian Williams
