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Joey.
Taking the control column out is a dreadful thing. It is
possible of course. Everyone who did it is a proof of it.
First have a tool ready to be able to press out the tapered
pins at the control wheel joints. Mine were heavily over-tightened over the
years, cause the folks were desperately trying to get the natural slack out of
the joints.
I ordered new pins and hammered out the old ones. Still a
painful operation due to lack of space.
Second be prepared to take out the radios and other
stuff, cause they will be all in the way of the column.
Third, if you loosen the lower bolts first that are holding
the control column to the airframe after taking out the aileron stops on top of
the column, you will be able to push the column for and back enough to get
access to the bolts holding the pushrods in place. You are replacing one pushrod
already, which is good. I would order another Heim-bearing for the other pushrod
as well, cause it is old and worn and no one will be down there
again for the next 20 years.
Ones everything is loose, the real fun begins. The damn thing
does not fit either way to come out. I played with it for hours, decided to take
the header tank out, couldn't 'cause someone riveted a support bracket in place
that was holding the tank.
After hours of desperation, I found the combination that
allowed me to pass all critical points and out was the thing.
Happiness. Until I saw that the lack of lubrication not only
wore out the lower bushing, but also the bearing surface of the shaft.
A new bakelite bushing would still allow for too much play.
Reworking the shaft is out of question.
Solutions:
One could have someone turn a thicker than standard, oversized
bushing or (better) go and order the oilite bushing from Skyport.
These bushings need to be reamed in I was told. In the case of
the lower bushing, no reaming was necessary. It was just the perfect fit. The
oilite material assures lubrication, even when some goof owns my Coupe in the
future (God beware). I could not use the oilite bushing for the upper bearing,
since I had nothing to ream in the thing, If you go that route, make sure to
have some tools ready.
Puh. And after checking all other parts of the control column,
including installing a new cable - the old one will be crushed ! - you will
face the challenge of getting the thing back in.
But that is easier than out.
One tip: Keep a list of all items you disconnected or loosened
while taking the column out. It is some more work, but it pays back big time
when you put everything together. I did not have such list, worked over several
week-ends and found myself retightening so many things like fuel lines etc. when
I was trying to use them. NOT good.
Working off a list is a much better alternative.
Hartmut
----- Original Message -----From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Sent: Friday, November 11, 2005 10:28 PMSubject: [COUPERS-TECH] control column----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]----QuestionTo remove the control column to replace the lower bushing do I just need to remove the control wheels and the floor boards and push rods or is there much more involved? The service manual is not clear on this.My lower bushing is worn and I want to repair it and install the new style push rod and bolt for the nose gear steeringJoey============================================================================== To leave this forum go to: http://ercoupers.com/lists.htm Search the archives on http://escribe.com/aviation/coupers-tech/
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