SonexBuilders.net

All Waiex pilots,

How do you set and check your WIX-C04-02 Aft rudder cable tension?

-Hand check, feels good
-Tension meter
-Other

If you set it with a meter, what value do you use?

Just to clarify, this is the cable between the WIX-C02-02 mixer assembly and the WIX-T03-01 Rudder. This tension is independent of how hard you push your feet on the pedals.

Due to the mixer assembly design/geometry, the tension also changes as you move the elevator control forward (nose down) and back (nose up).

When I put a tension meter on mine it only takes one turn of the adjustment clevis to make a big change in tension, example:

Stick forward - cables have 22.5 lbs
Stick aft - cables have 27.5 lbs

Then remove bolt, turn one half turn tighter on one cable only

Stick forward - cables have 27 lbs
Stick aft - cables have 35 lbs

Then remove bolt, turn one half turn tighter on one cable only

Stick forward - cables have 30 lbs
Stick aft - cables have 55 lbs

I did hand check, feels good.

"Fairly snug" has worked for me!

I also just went with "fairly snug" by hand. I did notice some squeaking at my rudder piano-hinge at one point and discovered the rudder a bit difficult to move (lifted the tail, manually moved the stub-rudder by hand). I loosened the cable tension slightly to relieve pressure on the piano hinge and it moved much better (while maintaining tension in the cables.) Don't over-tighten them.

In order...
1) loose 2) snug 3) fairly snug 4) tight.

My cables were between loose and snug originally and when I performed the swaged cable SB a few years ago, the new cables were installed "fairly snug". I see no operational difference but I likely have a bit more rudder "response" because there is zero play in the cables from the mixer aft.

Rynoth wrote:I also just went with "fairly snug" by hand. I did notice some squeaking at my rudder piano-hinge at one point and discovered the rudder a bit difficult to move (lifted the tail, manually moved the stub-rudder by hand). I loosened the cable tension slightly to relieve pressure on the piano hinge and it moved much better (while maintaining tension in the cables.) Don't over-tighten them.

Indeed, to be clear I probably had them "tight" when I noticed the friction in the piano hinge, backed them off slightly to "fairly snug" and went with that, seems to work well.

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like the most common thing is to feel by hand. If it helps anyone for reference, none of the numbers I posted when starting this topic feel loose or have any slack, and by the time it gets to 55 lbs it's fairly tight.