Creaky rib

[btbell]

I noticed today during preflight that the left outboard rib (the one with the nav light mount) is creaky it you grip it between your fingers and lightly move or twist it. Does anyone have any idea what the cause could be? I thought maybe it was somehow either loose or is cracked?

I am scheduled for my annual tomorrow so I wanted to get some opinoins on this situaion. Is this OK left as is to be fixed during the next recover or should it be repaired immediatley? I have been told that this rib is more cosmetic than structural. I would have to have to uncover the wintip to repair it if it would not have any affect on safety.

[lktiller]

If the tip bow cannot be moved enough to deform the fabric, then it's not a safety issue.
Small tabs on the end of the bow mount onto the spar. The tip of the spar tapers to a small area at this point.
You may already have an inspection hole to view the attach point. If not cut one before removing the fabric.
See if the tab weld or the spar tip is broken.
May just be the screw needs tightening.