"A" model rudder removal and reinstall.
Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher
- sreeves
- Posts: 83
- Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2004 2:11 pm
"A" model rudder removal and reinstall.
I have to remove my rudder on my 170A for a cosmetic repair of the lower left skin (tailwheel spring break). The removal looks straight forward. But is there a trick on how to reinstall it. You have the three attach points, the top two of which have a bolt (AN4-11A) inserted and a nut (AN365-428). Seems like there should be a washer too but the IPC doesn't show it. There is very very little space to work with once you have the bolt dropped in place to get the nut reinstalled. Anybody found an easy way to do this? And would inserting a washer between the nut and attach point be OK? Not that anyone would notice but me.
Stephen Reeves
Palm Harbor, Florida
Cessna 170A, N1773D, S/N 20216
Palm Harbor, Florida
Cessna 170A, N1773D, S/N 20216
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- Posts: 2615
- Joined: Thu Sep 30, 2010 11:35 pm
Re: "A" model rudder removal and reinstall.
For initial alignment, I'd make or borrow a couple flap installation tools to help line up the hinges.
For the nut and washer...super glue is your friend. Glue the two together and a tiny dot to glue the nut to the wrench.
For the nut and washer...super glue is your friend. Glue the two together and a tiny dot to glue the nut to the wrench.
- sreeves
- Posts: 83
- Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2004 2:11 pm
Re: "A" model rudder removal and reinstall.
Thanks!
Stephen Reeves
Palm Harbor, Florida
Cessna 170A, N1773D, S/N 20216
Palm Harbor, Florida
Cessna 170A, N1773D, S/N 20216
- daedaluscan
- Posts: 497
- Joined: Fri Apr 20, 2012 7:03 pm
Re: "A" model rudder removal and reinstall.
My mechanic advises me to always wash my nuts.
Charlie
1956 170B C-GDRG #27019
1956 170B C-GDRG #27019
- sreeves
- Posts: 83
- Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2004 2:11 pm
Re: "A" model rudder removal and reinstall.
Yep. And its better if you do it than your mechanic.
Stephen Reeves
Palm Harbor, Florida
Cessna 170A, N1773D, S/N 20216
Palm Harbor, Florida
Cessna 170A, N1773D, S/N 20216
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- Posts: 1423
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:06 am
Re: "A" model rudder removal and reinstall.
Never put super glue on your nuts , use grease . It stops corrosion . Use it sparingly to hold washers and nuts in position .
- gfeher
- Posts: 588
- Joined: Fri Sep 26, 2014 9:19 pm
Re: "A" model rudder removal and reinstall.
A dab of TiteSeal works well too, if you have some. Especially if you need to hold the nut and washer at an odd angle. Its a little more sticky than grease.
Gene Feher
Argyle (1C3), NY
'52 170B N2315D s/n 20467 C-145-2
Experimental J3 Cub Copy N7GW O-200
Argyle (1C3), NY
'52 170B N2315D s/n 20467 C-145-2
Experimental J3 Cub Copy N7GW O-200
- sreeves
- Posts: 83
- Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2004 2:11 pm
Re: "A" model rudder removal and reinstall.
Thanks for the suggestion guys....keep em coming!
Stephen Reeves
Palm Harbor, Florida
Cessna 170A, N1773D, S/N 20216
Palm Harbor, Florida
Cessna 170A, N1773D, S/N 20216
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- Posts: 188
- Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2008 2:21 pm
Re: "A" model rudder removal and reinstall.
I'm learning too! Don't think I'm the only one.sreeves wrote:Thanks for the suggestion guys....keep em coming!
Keep your speed up, Blackhawk on final behind you.
- wabuchanan
- Posts: 147
- Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2014 2:51 am
Re: "A" model rudder removal and reinstall.
We are in the process of reinstalling the rudder on mine now. The A&P I'm working with used the Jumbo Locking Clamp pliers to hold the bolts and slip them in the hinges. IE: large scale medical hemostats.....They hold the nuts as well to get started.
1950 170A N5776C SN:19730
- sreeves
- Posts: 83
- Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2004 2:11 pm
Re: "A" model rudder removal and reinstall.
I will try them all!
Stephen Reeves
Palm Harbor, Florida
Cessna 170A, N1773D, S/N 20216
Palm Harbor, Florida
Cessna 170A, N1773D, S/N 20216
- Kim Purcell
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Tue Feb 17, 2004 2:29 am
Re: "A" model rudder removal and reinstall.
I reinstalled my A rudder last year after restoration. A friend who is an AI helped me and we did use a washer as well as a drilled bolt with castellated nut and cotter pin. I found hemostats worked for getting the bolt in then my small fingers were able to hold the washer and nut in place get them started, the top one is a tight space. A female friend with thin fingers who likes to work on planes would be helpful
- sorry I'm not nearby to help out

Kim
170A
170A
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