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Joey: As others have said, the control column is difficult to remove and
replace. I have found the easiest way is to remove the control wheels and shafts
by taking out the taper pins, a small socket and a C clamp helps a lot to remove
the pins, but it probably is still a good idea to plan on having to replace
them. Then remove the floor board and take out the bolts that hold the column in
place. You may have to move the nose wheel left and right in order to get the
bolts out. Next, remove the cotter pins and the bolts holding the control rods
in place. Now you should have the control column loose from everything, and you
will be able to tell what, if any, controls will have to be removed to get the
column out.
I learned from John Wright that the easiest way to
remove the column is to cut the bottom bulkhead behind the column from the
top through to the two holes, one is where the wiring goes through on the
right side, and the other is where the brake line goes through on the left side.
When these are cut, you can bend the center part down some, and remove the
column without taking out the fuselage tank.
Reverse the process to install, cut a couple of
pieces of .025 aluminum, about 2 X 3, and bend a flange. Then use them to
reinforce the two cuts you made to remove the column. You can use # 6 screws and
nuts to hold the reinforcements in place.
You will most likely find that the control shaft is
worn as well as the bushing, so you may have to replace more than you would
like. But you need to get all the play out of the column before you put it back
in place. Skyport should have the parts you will need.
Good Luck
Lynn Nelsen
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