elevator cable end

[Laz]

I have been trying to determine what type of cable end is the correct one for the elevator cables where they attrach to the control column horn. I do not think the cable ends on mine are correct. They do not have a sleeve, instead they have a aluminum bushing. The problem is the copper nicopress sleeve seems to interfere with the control column ends. I have the very poor drawings of the control cable system but cannot read the tiny poorly copied text.

Any help would be appreciated

[Robert Lees]

Re: elevator cable end

My Tcraft is on annual at the moment...I'll try to remember to take photos tomorrow.

From memory, mine are a round aluminium "bushing" around which the cable wraps (and then the cable is nicropressed). There is a hole in the centre of the "bushing" through which the 3/16" bolt passes.

Rob

[Doc]

Re: elevator cable end

Mark and I just worked through this problem as we finished replacing all of the control cables (1/8") last week. My original control yoke elevator arm fittings had the cable wrapped around an AN111-4 bushing and then hand spliced. My replacement was to replicate this arrangement, but with a nicropress sleeve (ST2-4) instead of the hand splicing. We had the same problem as you...the sleeve interfered with smooth movement at the horn atachment. The final solution was to use a AN100-4 thimble (instead of the bushing) with a nicopress sleeve. This worked very well and allows free movement on the control yoke elevator control arms. I hope that this helps. Doc

[Robert Lees]

Re: elevator cable end

I'll try to remember to take photos tomorrow.Rob

I forgot, sorry (spent the day doing photoshoots for a UK magazine). I'll try to remember on Tuesday.

[Robert Lees]

Re: elevator cable end

Attached are the photos.
1 and 2 are from one aircraft (mine). One is spliced around a "bushing" as described in my earlier post, the other is a thimble.

3 and 4 are from second aircraft (not mine) Again, one is spliced around a "bushing" as described in my earlier post, the other is a thimble.

5 and 6 are from third aircraft (not mine) Both look like thimbles.

[Laz]

Re: elevator cable end

Bob,

Thanks so much for the pictures. It appears that if the end uses a bushing with a woven splice instad of the Nico so there is no interference problem. If a Nicopress is used then a sleve must be used so it does not interfere with the control horn. Do you know if they use a small phenolic bushing with the sleve like they do on the elevator belcrank?

An unrelated question. How far are you from London. I have trips there nce and a while and wuld lve t see your T-craft in person. We stay right off high street one block frm the High street tube station.

Thanks again for the pictures.

[Robert Lees]

Re: elevator cable end

I don't think I quite understand your question...

Originally, all these cables would have been spliced around a small circular bushing.
With the advent of the nicropress-type of swaging, I can see that there is a possibility of the swage interfering with the bellcrank. If a teardrop-shaped thimble is used, then this interference is minimised or eliminated.

I'm about 100 miles north of London in Leicester. The fast train from London St Pancras takes about an hour, you'd be very welcome to come by.

[Guest]

Re: elevator cable end

Bob,

Thanks so much for the pictures. It appears that if the end uses a bushing with a woven splice instad of the Nico so there is no interference problem. If a Nicopress is used then a sleve must be used so it does not interfere with the control horn. Do you know if they use a small phenolic bushing with the sleve like they do on the elevator belcrank?

An unrelated question. How far are you from London. I have trips there nce and a while and wuld lve t see your T-craft in person. We stay right off high street one block frm the High street tube station.

Thanks again for the pictures.

It would be prudent to use the bushing inside the thimble as you noticed in other places. It will give a larger bearing area and fill up the timble space.

Dave