How to Shorten a Spring

[Spaceman]

I recently had to shorten one of my pitch trim springs, and I scratched my head quite a bit trying to figure out how to do this without mangling the whole spring. I finally figured out an easy way to do it, so maybe this will help others trying to do this little task.

First, decide how many coils you want to remove, and jam a small flat screwdriver all the way through at that spot:



Then, run a larger screwdriver through the middle of the spring, and wiggle it past the little screwdriver. This will hold the whole spring nice and straight, but also separate the extra links so you can grab them with a needlenose pliers:



Now just hold the big screwdriver and bend all those links away:



Now, there might be a safer way to do this, but I found I could remove the excess links by just hitting them with the edge of a grinder wheel like this, and then I could grab them with the needlenose and just bend them until they broke off at the weakened spot:



Leave the last link intact and just grind off enough to leave yourself with a hook, or whatever shape it is you need!



Seems pretty straightforward now, but it took me a while to figure out and I didn't see any other tips about it when I searched!

[racaldwell]

Looks like that may be aluminum buildup on your grinding wheel. If so, that is a dangerous situation. Aluminum can make it explode. Sanding, files & scotchbrite wheels work for aluminum. If it is not aluminum, then, never mind .

Rick Caldwell
Xenos 0057

[Spaceman]

It is aluminum. I scrape it off every once in a while, it's definitely due I guess!

[pfhoeycfi]

Speaking of springs, the Sonex B plans shows a 3 inch working distance spring for the canopy latch, but the spring is not included in the kit. Can anyone recommend a spring and save me the trial & error...

Peter

[Spaceman]

I found mine on McMaster Carr. I'll see if I can find the exact part I used. It works but it looks a bit wonky because I manhandled the spring trying to bend a hook on the end! That was way before I figured out this technique.

[Spaceman]

I'm pretty sure this is what I used. So there's probably 11 more of them in my giant parts bin somewhere; maybe I should do it over!

https://www.mcmaster.com/9654K115