aileron hinge brackets

[tawadc95]

I have a question about the aileron hinge brackets that mount to the wing.
On my L-2 the aileron hinge brackets have some side play to them,I can move them back and forth along the length of the wing. If I pull or push on them parallel to the chord line there is no slop.
Total play might be 1/8 to 3/16 inch.
Is this normal?
Thanks,
Chris

[Doc]

Re: aileron hinge brackets

Within 3 months of purchase (and after a thorough annual) of N43306, there was minimal slop noted. Upon teardown and inspection, the through bolts of both the aileron brackets and the aileron hinges were found to be corroded within their spar thickness and the wood fibers were decayed --> total teardown and ground up rebuild. The wood under the aileron bracket shims was deeply compressed. Good luck! Doc

[Forrest Barber]

Re: aileron hinge brackets

Is your L-2 metal or wood spar? The brackets should not move side to side, they are secured by the front bolted through the spar then the rear of the short ribs have a cove piece and they are secured at the rear to it. Small JPG photos are always good!

[Pearson]

Re: aileron hinge brackets

I have about 1/8" vertical movement of an aileron bracket on my BC12D. Is this something to worry about?

Isn't there supposed to be an inspection hole in the bottom of the wing where you can check the bolts that hold these brackets to the spar. The wings were completely rebuilt, with new spars, about 8 years ago and the plane has been hangared since.

Thanks you.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: aileron hinge brackets

I have about 1/8" vertical movement of an aileron bracket on my BC12D. Is this something to worry about?

Isn't there supposed to be an inspection hole in the bottom of the wing where you can check the bolts that hold these brackets to the spar. The wings were completely rebuilt, with new spars, about 8 years ago and the plane has been hangared since.

Thanks you.

Any vertical movement of the bracket means the wood has compressed and the bolt is now loose. You need to open up the wing inspection hole and fix. If no hole, you need to add a ring and fix it.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: aileron hinge brackets

I have a question about the aileron hinge brackets that mount to the wing.
On my L-2 the aileron hinge brackets have some side play to them,I can move them back and forth along the length of the wing. If I pull or push on them parallel to the chord line there is no slop.
Total play might be 1/8 to 3/16 inch.
Is this normal?
Thanks,
Chris

Brackets are not proper attached to the wing cove. Should be a tab on each side of the bracket with a PK screw holding it in position

[Robert Lees]

Re: aileron hinge brackets

Here's a photo of the screws that hold the brackets to the cove, as referred to by Forrest and Ragwing nut. Behind the fabric you can just see one of the brackets. These prevent span-wise movement. They are simple 90 degree folded metal brackets that I made from 25 thou 4130 (0.025"), drilled in situ.

There is a hole through the magnesium casting that is there to take a through-bolt, that holds both 90 degree steel brackets in place.

[tawadc95]

Re: aileron hinge brackets

looks like she will need to be opened up.
Thanks for the time to reply guys!

[tawadc95]

Re: aileron hinge brackets

Guys,
What material is used to form the aileron cove,aluminium ? ( spelled it that way for Rob)
I ask as I am wondering if I can remove cove material from around the hinge brackets to tighten things, then cherry max a cover plate back on....as opposed to cutting fabric from the underneath of the wing.
Thanks,
Chris
p.s. wood spars

[Ron Greene]

Re: aileron hinge brackets

Chris,

The aileron cove is 1/16 Mahogany. Attached are pictures showing the aileron bracket where it bolts to the spar and the two plywood supports that bolt on to the cove and help support the end of the bracket.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: aileron hinge brackets

I think the wood cove may only be on the L-2. My 41 and 45 BC-12-xx both have aluminum, as well as the 46 wings I have seen. Any other planes out there have wood coves? sure would be easier to cover than the metal ones.
Hank

[tawadc95]

Re: aileron hinge brackets

Ron ,
Helpful pics.
Looks to me as long as I cannot get any movement by pushing or pulling along the chord line or any vertical movement perpindicular to chord I am ok.
I do not have the split plywood supports you show. The gaps I have between the brackets and the cove are fairly generous as in enought to slip cove over bracket.
I will set about making some supports. How thick is the plywood you used Ron?
Thanks,
Chris

[tawadc95]

Re: aileron hinge brackets

Ron,
I believe I found the items on disc.
Number 8061,1/8" thick ply on outboard and inboard brackets only?
Chris

[Ron Greene]

Re: aileron hinge brackets

Chris,

That is the correct drawing (D-8061). They are on the inboard and outboard aileron brackets only.

The center aileron bracket has a built in metal bracket that supports side loads but drawing D-8070 appears to show similar bracket supports for the center aileron bracket. I do not have enough info with me at work to verify this but the dimensions seem about right and it shows 4 per ship which would do two brackets (1 per wing).

[tawadc95]

Re: aileron hinge brackets

thanks to all who replied and the pictures.