Wow, not the easiest fix if you have cracks!
That's exactly right. It would be interesting to know just how many -10's have cracks and how many hours they had when discovered. So far we only know of 2 cases, I think, ......
For those of you installing the doubler, I really think it needs some sort of attachment. Either proseal, structural adhesive or some Cheryy Max rivets. I have discussed this with Van's.
Vic
Did engineering look at this situation Scott?
If the doubler is installed without welding (as done in the case of no cracks found) and is installed as prescribed, with some compression pre-load on the elastomers even when the nose gear leg is hanging free, and it is maintained in this state;
I like Vic told Van's that it needs some way to stop the plate from vibrating around and destroying the engine mount tube and they agreed, but didn't really suggest anything.
Yes, I noticed that the nose sits a little more proud now. I measured it at about a 1" gain. Mine has both the new plate and the doubler. I noticed it as well when I was cleaning the vertical fin, as I could reach up quite a bit higher.
And it sounds much more solid when taxiing now, too.
Scott, I did religiously make certain the elastomers were tight. I had 4 of the washers in mine. I see now that the service bulletin recommends replacement when 3 are needed.
Vic
I believe that: 1) people should prime (NOT liquid plumber, but liquid PRIMER) the inside of that shaft before initial assembly.
I did my SB work this weekend too. I ended up using a thin layer of RTV but did it over the entire surface, and then jacked the back end up so squeeze everything out that I could. In the end, there is really almost zero gap between the 2 plates, and there shouldn't easily be any moisture that gets in there.
I believe the SB should prevent much worry about that particular part breaking, but I do have one area of concern that will linger.
The shaft that the elastomers ride on, directly contacts the hole in the engine mount. The doubler is slightly larger, so there won't be an issue with that.
But, when you look at the shaft, right at the top of the topmost elastomer, one side of my shaft was chafing on the hole of the engine mount. This led to a slight thinning of the shaft in one area. One other thing I noticed is that the shaft had a bit of rust inside.
I believe that: 1) people should prime (NOT liquid plumber, but liquid PRIMER) the inside of that shaft before initial assembly.
2) That shaft won't last forever. At 1070 hours, it's showing wear. I'm sure it'll go 2000 hours. But, since this thing was designed with no replaceable wear surfaces, it won't last forever. I would love to see a sleeve over that part of the shaft, that can be replaced, but doing so would require that the elastomers were made with a larger hole, and the tophat shaped retainer would have to be wider too. So this isn't likely to be an easy thing to fix. So, I think people are going to have to pull that shaft and inspect it (I'd recommend maybe a 500hour inspection at least) and replace as necessary. On Van's end, I'd hope that they keep a dozen of these in stock, because it's going to be considered a wear part on higher time RV-10's. I don't know what that part costs, but it would be nice if there was some sort of bushing there to protect it...either on the hole side, or the shaft side, that could be replaced.
Tim
I have cracks and am currently applying the fix. I'm based on a grass field that is considered a bit rough but Bo's, a Commanche, a Travel Air(sp), and up until recently, a flight school operated off of it without obvious problems. I can count about 175 TO and Landings on my '10 since new.Yes, it will take some effort on owners part to occasionally check for loss of preload in the nose gear elastomers. It has always been a design intent that there not be play in this location. It is in fact possible that some level of play can have contributed to damage in some cases.
N410RV went almost 2000 hrs using the originally installed elastomers, but it did require some periodic adjustment by adding an additional spacer washer.
The need for that periodic check should probably have been better conveyed to those with flying RV-10's. As a result of the continued airworthiness program for the RV-12, I think we are beginning to do a better job with that type of thing.
I have cracks and am currently applying the fix. I'm based on a grass field that is considered a bit rough but Bo's, a Commanche, a Travel Air(sp), and up until recently, a flight school operated off of it without obvious problems. I can count about 175 TO and Landings on my '10 since new.
When I went to inspect my nose gear mount I noted that I did have play in the assembly and that I hadn't checked this in previous condition inspections even though I had removed the wheel each time. I just didn't have it in my checklist.
Yes, I think it's important.
That was 175 landings and 175 takeoffs on the rough grass field. An equal number or more on hard surface. In my experience on my field, the nosewheel takes a bit of a beating on takeoffs as well as landings. No matter how agressively I get or keep the nosewheel up, it gets hit by irregularities in the runway surfaceWOW!
I have not checked the landings, but can, but 175 landings is not many. I wonder how long ours had been cracked for? I suspect a long time.
Just a wrap up email on what it takes to comply with this service bulletin if you have cracking. And you live in Australia??
Parts replaced, new rubbers bolts etc $650 - 700approx
Certified welder, to inspect clean and repair $1100
Remove and install engine mount approx 30 man hours say $3300
The reason I post this is far too many people think EAB aviation is meant to be cheap. It is not, and you need to factor in your time. your time is never free. Even if you are retired. It has a value. For me I took days away from my business so I have costed this as my net after tax out of my pocket and not my business charge out rate.
Total cost AUD$5100 or about $4500 in USD.
Most likely still cheaper than a Cirrus or Beechcraft, but its not a poor mans sport!