Wing Support Struts

[Ironhead]

Does anyone know if support struts can have a bow in them? I have one strut that has about .5 deflection. This is on the larger (forward?) strut. I'm already aware about the AD using graph paper and an awl to determine extent of rust damage, but I havent found any thing in the AC4313 on strut bow.

Thanks
Dan

[jgerard]

Re: Wing Support Struts

Sounds like your jury strut is off center, or out of adjustment.

Jason
N43643

[Guest]

Re: Wing Support Struts

Does anyone know if support struts can have a bow in them? I have one strut that has about .5 deflection. This is on the larger (forward?) strut. I'm already aware about the AD using graph paper and an awl to determine extent of rust damage, but I havent found any thing in the AC4313 on strut bow.

Thanks
Dan

Dan, that's not a T-craft AD. Is it? Perhaps its for a Piper or there is a new T-craft AD I am not familiar with yet. That's possible.

Also verify that the bow is a result of poor installation and should be corrected now with the jury strut. and not some sort of damage or deterioration that occurred since installation and some further action is required.

If it is just a poor installation then change you're jury strut adjustments and "straighen" the bow with the jury adjustment.

Dave.

[Ironhead]

Re: Wing Support Struts

Dan, that's not a T-craft AD. Is it? Perhaps its for a Piper or there is a new T-craft AD I am not familiar with yet. That's possible.

If it is just a poor installation then change you're jury strut adjustments and "straighen" the bow with the jury adjustment.

Dave.

Dave,

Maybe I'm missing something but the struts are in a fixed position. There is no rod end adjustment. Both ends are a welded fixed position. The AD inspection that I was talking about came from an IA that did the inspections on Taylorcrafts. I'll check again,

Thanks
Dan

[jgerard]

Re: Wing Support Struts

Give your jury struts a whack either up or down the length of the wing strut. If they are too far up the strut it will bow the wing strut down, if they are too far down the strut will be bowed up. Also check to make sure the front and rear jury strut are inline with each-other fore-aft. I have seen them move during ground handling of the plane when pushing on the wing strut. The front strut would bow up more than and inch.

Jason
N43643

[Dano"T"]

Re: Wing Support Struts

Is the bow toward the front? Sounds like a plane that's been on skis before. When they get stuck....sometimes the struts get bowed from pushing on them. I don't know anything about an AD though.

[Guest]

Re: Wing Support Struts

Dave,

Maybe I'm missing something but the struts are in a fixed position. There is no rod end adjustment. Both ends are a welded fixed position. The AD inspection that I was talking about came from an IA that did the inspections on Taylorcrafts. I'll check again,

Thanks
Dan

Hi Dan, I am assuming we are talking a about a BC12d or something similar and that the bow is up or down not front to back.

The jury strut is a welded assembly that attaches to the lift struts by a streamline shaped clamp. That clamp wraps around the lift strut and bolts to the bottom of the jury strut. If you losen that bolt you can slide the clamp up and down the strut so as to make the jury strut approximately perpendicular to the wing. I put a layer of friction tape between the clamp and the lift strut.

The top of the strut attaches to the bottom of the wing thru a little upside down u shaped fitting that has a bolt thru it and the jury strut top. That little fitting can screw up or down to adjust the jury strut length. There is a lock nut on it and you have to remove the bolt thru the jury strut to turn the fitting. Making this adjustment perhaps can remove the bow if the jury strut is approx. perpendicular to the wing.


None of these adjustments involve lift strut end fittings.

Hope that helps, Dave.

[Ironhead]

Re: Wing Support Struts

Dave,

Okay, I understand now. Yes, it is off the aircraft and it bows downward. I now understand about the jury strut and how it can affect the strut. As far as the AD on the rust, your all correct it was on a Piper. I will keep my Taylorcraft questions directed more towards the forum than what someone else thinks. Thanks for the help.

Dan

[Dick Huish]

Re: Wing Support Struts

If the strut has a gentle bow and not a kink you can straighten it by supporting the ends and putting some pressure on the center. If it is an orginal strut it is made from 10xx X .049 mild steel. Dick

[Guest]

Re: Wing Support Struts

Dave,

Okay, I understand now. Yes, it is off the aircraft and it bows downward. I now understand about the jury strut and how it can affect the strut. As far as the AD on the rust, your all correct it was on a Piper. I will keep my Taylorcraft questions directed more towards the forum than what someone else thinks. Thanks for the help.

Dan

Hi Dan, no problem we all have thoughts and opiinions. I was actuually wondering if there was a new ad but too lazy to look it up.

If it has that kind of bow off the airplane I wouldn't worry about it. The jury strut will take it up.

So is this a new project you got or repairs on your a/c ?

Dave.

[Ironhead]

Re: Wing Support Struts

Hi Dan, no problem we all have thoughts and opiinions. I was actuually wondering if there was a new ad but too lazy to look it up.

If it has that kind of bow off the airplane I wouldn't worry about it. The jury strut will take it up.

So is this a new project you got or repairs on your a/c ?

Dave.

Well, Dave its a new project that initially was very initimidating as it was scattered out between my trailer and garage, but after further examination and with some help of people who know (including this forum) I realize its in pretty good shape. The agreement with my wife was that I "finished" my other project of disassembling, stripping, and staining my daughters high chair first. (My daughter wasn't born when I started, she's now 20!) So the agreement is have it ready by Christmas for my granddaughter. Hopefully, the T-craft will go a little quicker.

Thanks
Dan

[Zandy]

Re: Wing Support Struts

I am in need of the fittings for the end of the rear struts, anyone have two of them available?

[Guest]

Re: Wing Support Struts

I am in need of the fittings for the end of the rear struts, anyone have two of them available?

Zandy, do you need them because the bolt holes are worn or some other reason?

I may have some, have to look in the garage later.

Also, they are pretty easy to repair for loose holes or just make new ones.

Dave.