Wing Removal

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smoss
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Re: Wing Removal

Post by smoss »

Rick, did you end up changing the whole roller guide assembly or the individual rollers?
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Rick
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Re: Wing Removal

Post by Rick »

smoss wrote:Rick, did you end up changing the whole roller guide assembly or the individual rollers?
I haven't done anything yet. My annual is due in December and I'm trying to decide what to do then. If I decide to add the access holes, I may take it down to Glenn at KRUQ to get that done first, but I'm not sure if I need them. Yet.

Either way, I think you just replace the rollers, not the entire assembly. It seems like you would definitely have to remove the wing and pushrod to replace the entire assembly, since the rods go through the housing for the rollers. Here is a picture of an aileron pushrod guide with the three rollers - there are three of these in each wing:
Pushrod Guide Rollers.jpg
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Steve
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Re: Wing Removal

Post by Steve »

Steve wrote:Rick:

You may not have to remove the wing. I have replaced 3 of these rollers in my 2001, 2 of which were in the wing. See:

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=4260&p=55373&hilit=Roller#p55373

Unfortunately, the photos seem to have vanished from Photobucket, but I still have them on my computer. I'd be happy to send them to you or post here. It took me about 2 hours to replace each roller in the wing. The one in the rear of the fuselage took less time. You don't have to remove the pushrod. It isn't a fun job, but takes a lot less time than pulling the wing.

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Here are the photos:
DSCN3098.jpg
Previously replaced roller and cracked original roller in left wing
DSCN3099.jpg
Axle rivet ground off using Dremel tool
DSCN3100.jpg
Cracked roller removed
DSCN3101.jpg
New roller installed with cap screw and nyloc nut
DSCN3102.jpg
New roller installed with caps screw and nyloc nut
DSCN3105.jpg
Torque seal
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Rick
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Re: Wing Removal

Post by Rick »

Thanks for the pictures, Steve. I will show this to my A&P and see if we can't use this method to fix mine.

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Re: Wing Removal

Post by Lance Murray »

I think I have the same issue. Look forward to seeing how you fix this.
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Re: Wing Removal

Post by smoss »

Does anyone periodically lubricate the pushrod roller bearings? My mechanic is suggesting I do by spraying them with some LPS1, but I can find no reference for or against it in the AMM. Same also for the flap pivot pins.
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Rich
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Re: Wing Removal

Post by Rich »

smoss wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2019 11:08 pm Does anyone periodically lubricate the pushrod roller bearings? My mechanic is suggesting I do by spraying them with some LPS1, but I can find no reference for or against it in the AMM. Same also for the flap pivot pins.
Many years ago, Peter Maurer told me that it was exactly the wrong thing to do to lubricate these roller bearings.
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Steve
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Re: Wing Removal

Post by Steve »

The bearings are lifetime lubricated. Plus, they are not called out on the airframe lubrication checklist in the Maintenance Manual.
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Re: Wing Removal

Post by RMarkSampson »

Can you reach and rotate each bearing? Just like those two sealed bearings on the NLG of my DA-20, I could rotate them by hand and feel any "grittiness" as they moved. When I replaced my wheel bearings - the new bearings were "smooth as silk."

For those rollers, you could just move the stick back and forth while watching the operation at each roller. If they rotate then likely life is likely good. If the control rod moves but the roller does not then that is a good reason to replace. If the control rod never touches that roller then it is somewhat a mute point and I personally would not expend sweat/$$ going after it. I doubt if things will bind up and/or damage the control rod, but friction builds at each point where contact between two surfaces exist. IMO, those are the rollers to focus on.
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Re: Wing Removal

Post by Steve »

Some of them can be replaced without wing removal or cutting access holes:

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=6629&hilit=roller

There are some assemblies that are not accessible via inspection holes or in the fuselage. Luckily, the ones needing replacement on my aircraft were (reasonably) accessible. Working inside the wing is a pain, and the labor time might cost more than putting in access holes (there is an SB for doing this).

Steve
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