Elevator horn struggles.

Good morning all.

I need a bit of advice on what to do with an elevator horn that is being a bit difficult.

I had no troubles in least with the L horn. All six holes are matched very well between the horn, the inboard rib, and the front spar. On the R side however I can easily cleco the horn to the spar, but the inboard rib holes are about 2/3 of a hole off. I can force it into a very tight fit but this throws off the alignment of the inboard rib holes with the forward spar.

I've tried working the inboard rib flange a bit but it's pretty thick and I am also a bit afraid of messing up the match drilling.

I know the 6 match drilled holes in the horn get drilled up to 1/8" but I'm not sure that that will offset the amount the hole is out in the inboard rib.

Suggestions are appreciated!

I would contact Van's and ask for a new horn.

Jesse said:

I would contact Van's and ask for a new horn.

Click to expand...

Thanks Jesse. Will do. I wasn't sure initially whether it was a problem with the rib root or the horn....I'm pretty sure it is the horn.

BTW, it was nice to chat with you at Sun'n'Fun (at that beautiful red RV 8)

recheck other parts too...

Certainly concur with Jesse on getting new horn, give that a try. Oblong holes are never a good thing. My experience when holes don't line up, it is not the part but me.... It continues to amaze me we can cleco the skins to the frame/assembled parts with a near perfect fit every time, when we get the underlying work done right. You might make some measurements on the horn (L & R) and your elevators... are they consistent from side to side, triple check instructions and your build, it is just good practice and a skill set to have in hand as you go down the road. If you don't have a good micronmeter or equivalent a good tool to purchase. Kudos to your caution and care to do it right!

Cheers, Mike

Check the bend on the tab of the rib.

I remember having the same problem. But it was is a distant memory.

If I remember correctly, it turned out to be the bend on thick rib where it connects to the spar.

It was a bit underbent which moved everything outwards. After I aligned it everything fit.

Hoping I'm remembering this right, but worth a check

Derek