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Right wing counterweight rubbing aft rib

PostPosted: Tue Feb 18, 2025 10:48 pm
by Bryan Cotton
Annual time. We had developed a slight rub detectable during preflight when moving the right aileron. Opened it up and found this:
rib gouges.png


We had a slight rub when building. Not that I remember that far back but the lettering had been sanded off the most forward counterweight bolt. After my discovery I sanded them all down some and polished out those gouges.

The rib flanges all face left, so there is a lot of room on the left counterweight.

If you are building I would sand down all those bolt heads some - for sure take the raised lettering off. Something to look at during annual for the veterans.

Re: Right wing counterweight rubbing aft rib

PostPosted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 2:57 am
by Murray Parr
Mine rub too. I shaved off the bolt head as much as I was comfortable, and it still rubs if I pull the aileron towards the rib on preflight. I think I will replace the bolts with countersunk bolts to fix it. maybe something you could consider too.

Re: Right wing counterweight rubbing aft rib

PostPosted: Fri Feb 21, 2025 1:22 pm
by N111YX
I think that this has been an issue for many before.

I did indeed use countersunk machine screws of the same diameter of the bolts. If you look at the load specs of the screws, you'll have more serious issues if you break them in that lead.