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Removal of wing struts, "V" struts

Posted: Tue May 14, 2013 11:17 pm
by ralphyoung
Removing the wings from my 1948 Cessna. I have all cables, wires, fuel lines disconnected and all fittings loose except the lower wing strut bolts which I can just feel through the two small access holes in the cabin floor. Any tricks or tips?

Re: Removal of wing struts, "V" struts

Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 12:31 am
by T. C. Downey
Be certain to support the struts and never allow them to fall before you get that bolt out, or they will tear the skin of the fuselage.

Re: Removal of wing struts, "V" struts

Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 12:34 am
by ralphyoung
Thanks, we will have all hands on deck. I have some scaffolding I will set up under the wing with a mattress on top. Then I built a wing cradle to hold the wings, leading edge down in a carpet sling.

Re: Removal of wing struts, "V" struts

Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 2:45 pm
by daedaluscan
I have a B with a single strut, but replacing all bolts with punches or pins before the final removal makes the job easy..

We did it with three, one to hold wing tip, one to remove the srut, and on on the inner wing. Very straightforward.

Re: Removal of wing struts, "V" struts

Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 12:47 am
by ralphyoung
Thank you for the tips. The wings came off in less than an hour. They are now sitting in a 2 x 4 cradle I threw together as the bolts were coming off. I am sure putting them back on will be more of an ordeal.

Re: Removal of wing struts, "V" struts

Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 10:39 pm
by ralphyoung