Rudder (and other ) cables

How to keep the Cessna 170 flying and airworthy.

Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher

tps500
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2012 8:04 pm

Re: Rudder (and other ) cables

Post by tps500 »

I recently replaced the right rudder cable on my airplane. Once the fairlead in the tail cone was out, the cable removed from the pedal, and a wire attached to the aft end of the cable, I had a helper pull the cable forward while I follwed the aft end and removed and replaced each pulley as it went forward. We then pulled the new cable aft and did the same dance with the pulleys. The hardest pulleys to put back in were the forward rudder and aileron pulleys that are together just aft of the rudder pedal. I had my helper turn the yolk to the aileron stop and this helped.

I used the galvanized cable from Mcfarlane and had no trouble with the fit.

Tim
spduffee
Posts: 219
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2012 4:48 am

Re: Rudder (and other ) cables

Post by spduffee »

Thanks Tim for the detailed explanation. I am not sure how to deal with the mid-fairlead, but I guess I'll see later today. So, the rudder- and aileron cable are on the same pulley block? Am I looking at the highlighted smaller pulleys in the illustration? So I guess the whole group has to be disassembled...looks...not so easy....
++170a_pm++ 100.pdf
(55.35 KiB) Downloaded 308 times
N5448C -1950 170-A
spduffee
Posts: 219
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2012 4:48 am

Re: Rudder (and other ) cables

Post by spduffee »

Well, it's done. I never want to do that crap ever again. Who builds these damned planes - oompa-loompas? Pixie fairies? Geez! It's impossible to get a full grown hand in these places. I don't even want to think about reinstalling them. Anyway, ready to get new cables....
N5448C -1950 170-A
spduffee
Posts: 219
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2012 4:48 am

Re: Rudder (and other ) cables

Post by spduffee »

Aryana wrote:Just wait until you have to remove the fuel valve! That one is fun...
Oh yes, we've already had our fun discussion about that one....I still haven't regrown all the skin on the back of my hand from that adventure. Know what else I had to do today? When we pulled the wing off I had undone the turnbuckles of the aileron and said I was ready to pull them out. They were pulled out, before I could tie a string to them. Getting them back through the ribs is fun, using safety wire, a coat hanger and a lot of patience. In my next life I will do things differently, I'm sure.
N5448C -1950 170-A
spduffee
Posts: 219
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2012 4:48 am

Re: Rudder (and other ) cables

Post by spduffee »

One really cool thing about this rudder cable business, is that I found the original knob for my fresh air vent way back in the fuselage stuck to a glob of this anti-corrosion goo that someone applied way back when. The knob is in perfect condition, probably preserved in the goo for who knows how long, like a prehistoric fossil.... Gotta get a break somewhere, right?
N5448C -1950 170-A
bagarre
Posts: 2615
Joined: Thu Sep 30, 2010 11:35 pm

Re: Rudder (and other ) cables

Post by bagarre »

That's a nice find!

When I cleaned out the belly of 81D, I found enough spare nuts and bolts to open a small hardware store 8O
hilltop170
Posts: 3485
Joined: Sat May 06, 2006 6:05 pm

Re: Rudder (and other ) cables

Post by hilltop170 »

Mine had a bucking bar in the tail, maybe been there since the factory. Luckily, it too was stuck in place with goo.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
2023 Best Original 170A at Sault Ste. Marie
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
spduffee
Posts: 219
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2012 4:48 am

Re: Rudder (and other ) cables

Post by spduffee »

hilltop170 wrote:Mine had a bucking bar in the tail, maybe been there since the factory. Luckily, it too was stuck in place with goo.
Maybe left there to balance the plane out....? You wouldn't want that flying around in your empenage...
N5448C -1950 170-A
C170U2
Posts: 436
Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2012 4:30 am

Re: Rudder (and other ) cables

Post by C170U2 »

Lucky! I only found a prehistoric mouse fossil. Pretty gross to reach your hand in to start fishing around and pull out an old mouse skeleton. Wish it had been my glove box knob!
bagarre
Posts: 2615
Joined: Thu Sep 30, 2010 11:35 pm

Re: Rudder (and other ) cables

Post by bagarre »

New thread idea:
Craziest thing you've ever found in your airplane?
Post Reply