Oiling the Bellcrank

[Pearson]

Has anyone seen a Taylorcraft with a "cover plate" on the TOP of the wing? The instruction manual reads in part;

The aileron control horn which is located in the wing at the center aileron hinge bracket may be reached by removing the cover plate on the top of the wing. Oil placed in the hole of the control horn will lubricate the bearing.

My wings don't have any cover plates on the top, and I have never seen another Taylorcraft with them. I have had to tape two of those plastic straws together that comes on a can of WD-40 in order to get oil to the bellcrank up inside the wing. How do you get oil into the bushings in your bellcranks?

[Robert Lees]

Re: Oiling the Bellcrank

My pre-war had access panels in the top.

The aileron bell-crank spindle was hollow, with a cork in the top. Removal of the cork allowed oil to be dropped in, lubrication for the purpose of.

Post-war not an issue; said bellcrank spindle not being hollow.

[M Towsley]

Re: Oiling the Bellcrank

My first BC-12 and my L-2 both had access panels. I've seen several Taylorcrafts with them. My current plane does not and I certainly don't see any oil reservoir at the top of the bellcrank.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Oiling the Bellcrank

Both of my planes have covers above the bell cranks. They are both rectangular aluminum with 8 PK screws to hold them on.

INVALUABLE when you need to work on the aileron cables! Made pulling the crank to aileron push-rod out a piece of cake too.

Hank

[Pearson]

Re: Oiling the Bellcrank

In all the years I went to the West Coast Taylorcraft Fly-In I never saw a single plane with covers on top of the wings. I wish mine had them. I guess I can glue something in so I will have access to those bellcranks, but it is going to have to wait until next summer. We are having an early winter here in the NW. Anyone have a picture of one of these covers on TOP of the wings?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Oiling the Bellcrank

Mine are off now. If someone doesn't beat me to it I can trace them this weekend (unless I can find an excuse to play hookie and sneak out earlier).
Hank

[Robert Lees]

Re: Oiling the Bellcrank

I inset an aluminium frame, pre-drilled for screws. I don't have a picture of the covers, but you should be able to imagine them.

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Oiling the Bellcrank

Hank is oh so right! Cover plates on top are a big advantage. If you decide to cut a hole in the top wing fabric, then just make a 1/16 plywood frame to glue to the inside of the fabric. The plywood frame as a doubler makes the PK screws hold the cover plates on tight.