?Repair torn rib 'web'?

[mhorowit]

How do I repair this torn piece? Point to a reference would be great.
First pic is an overview showing where the tear is (the square hole is where the rear attach fitting goes thru) ; the second shows the rip in detail - Mike

[Marv]

Re: ?Repair torn rib 'web'?

I know they did not have tig welders in 1946, but is there a law against using one on a aircraft now? Marv

[Robert Lees]

Re: ?Repair torn rib 'web'?

The "reference" is, as ever, AC43.

Mike, this looks like the butt rib spar fitting aperture...look at my website here (1/2 way down) for a "typical" repair. Specifically this photo for the detail.

HTH,
Rob

[VictorBravo]

Re: ?Repair torn rib 'web'?

See attached photos. I used Pop Rivets (wrongfully) where I should have used AN rivets, but I wasn't in practice with AN rivets at that time. Use AN rivets and you will be legal and fine.

The upload image window said these were "invalid files", which is pretty darn strange. So here are the URL's

http://gallery.taylorcraft.org/main.php?g2_itemId=3407

http://gallery.taylorcraft.org/main.php?g2_itemId=3410

Bill

[mhorowit]

Re: ?Repair torn rib 'web'?

See attached photos. I used Pop Rivets (wrongfully) where I should have used AN rivets, but I wasn't in practice with AN rivets at that time. Use AN rivets and you will be legal and fine.
Bill

Bill - what was the rivet diameter you used? 1/8 seems so large for that location - Mike

[Guest]

Re: ?Repair torn rib 'web'?

Mike,

Read ac 43.13-1b and use that as a reference, get advice from your A&P too you should be working under his supervision.

Its all there in 43.13-1b, match the material, it gives rivet size and space, also it will say that you can match the manufacturers rivet pattern and size.

Take an evening and give it a read, its one cahpter as I recall.

Using any source other than ac43.13-1b is a mistake, stick with that reference.

Dave

[VictorBravo]

Re: ?Repair torn rib 'web'?

Bill - what was the rivet diameter you used? 1/8 seems so large for that location - Mike

Like I said, I used what I was comfortable with at the time, which was WRONG, I should have used AN solid rivets.

What you see in the photo is 1/8 blind rivets, with one 3/16" blind rivet because I had a pre-existing hole that was too large for a 1/8 rivet.

the reason I showed these photos is to illustrate the patch itself, not which rivets to use.

IMHO you should use AN470AD3 rivets because you are working with thin metal and the size 3 rivets are a lot easier to squeeze or drive straight.

Dave is correct of course, the 43-13 should be the guide for rivet spacing and repairs to ribs. The 43-13 is very well illustrated and has the best possible information. You have a great luxury with 43-13, in that there has to be a really good reason for the FAA and your IA mechanic to not approve any repair done in accordance with it. Doing a repair in accordance with 43-13 makes anyone and everyone involved much happier, much more relaxed, and basically greases the wheels.

[mhorowit]

Re: ?Repair torn rib 'web'?

Like I said, I used what I was comfortable with at the time, which was WRONG, I should have used AN solid rivets.
.

ALCON realize the rib we're talking about has two halves and would have to be deriveted to use a solid rivet for this repair, 'cause I can't see how one could get to the backside -Mike

[mulwyk]

Re: ?Repair torn rib 'web'?

Mike:
The picture below shows the reapir I made on my project wings in the same area that you are repairing on yours. (I had to repair Both wing butt ribs in that same wing attach fitting area! It must be a common T-Craft defect).

I made a doubler of .025 aluminum sheet (2024T3 I think it was, it's been awhile) which I pounded down around a wood form to make the flange. I used about 40 solid rivets (1/8") through the face and several #4 screws through the flange.

[astjp2]

Re: ?Repair torn rib 'web'?

Holy Crap! There are more rivets on that repair than in my cowling and boot cowl combined....Why did you use 2024? Arent the ribs stamped from 6061? Would that not be a substitution of materials and require engineering approval for the 337? Just kidding! Tim

[mhorowit]

Re: ?Repair torn rib 'web'?

Mike:
The picture below shows the reapir I made on my project wings in the same area that you are repairing on yours. (I had to repair Both wing butt ribs in that same wing attach fitting area! It must be a common T-Craft defect).

I made a doubler of .025 aluminum sheet (2024T3 I think it was, it's been awhile) which I pounded down around a wood form to make the flange. I used about 40 solid rivets (1/8") through the face and several #4 screws through the flange.

Holy Cow! how did you get to the backside to hold the rivets in place? Did you hold the dolly in your teeth?-MIke

[VictorBravo]

Re: ?Repair torn rib 'web'?

Mike:
The picture below shows the reapir I made (snip)
I used about 40 solid rivets (1/8") through the face and several #4 screws through the flange.

Somewhere on this planet there is a Boeing 747-400 that is now missing a section of a structural load-carrying rib .....

[Guest]

Re: ?Repair torn rib 'web'?

Mike-

A suggestion, go to Aircraft Tool Supply, Brown, US Industrial. ACS, Wicks... whichever gives you the best deal and buy a rivet squeezer, cutter, rivets, clecos. cleco pliers, bucking bars, gun, whatever you need to do the well and after you are done sell them on ebay.

I do that occasionally and I usually get most of my money back and get to use a nice tool to do the work.

Dave

[fearofpavement]

Re: ?Repair torn rib 'web'?

Well, there's about $1000 worth of tools in that list. Better to visit someone that already has them. If you owned a tin airplane it may be worthwhile making the investment but for a T it seems like a lot of money and hassle to resolve a small problem.

Mike, doesn't your IA have some stuff he could bring over?

Regarding the number of rivets in the pictured repair, that doesn't seem excessive to me. The required rivet spacing is made pretty clear in the 43.13 referenced several times in this thread. Maybe could've gotten by with #3 rivets though.

[mhorowit]

Re: ?Repair torn rib 'web'?

Mike:
The picture below shows the reapir I made on my project wings in the same area that you are repairing on yours. (I had to repair Both wing butt ribs in that same wing attach fitting area! It must be a common T-Craft defect).

I made a doubler of .025 aluminum sheet (2024T3 I think it was, it's been awhile) which I pounded down around a wood form to make the flange. I used about 40 solid rivets (1/8") through the face and several #4 screws through the flange.

Bob - what tool did you use for riveting and how did you get to the back side? - Mike