Rudder Pedal Springs

[914pete]

Can anyone offer a part number for the rudder pedal springs?

[914pete]

I see on Page 5 that all control cables are 3/32" dia.  I bought 7x7 stainless for the control cables but also bought 1/16" 7x19 SS for the tail feather bracing.  I like the flexibility of the 7x19 cable for assembling purposes and now wondering if I could have used 7x19 SS for the control cable.  I'm working on rigging the rudder.

Can anyone explain the .035 steel strap adjustment ends that attach to the rudder horn on Page 15.  I don't understand how they are adjustable. Multiple attach holes?   

Looking at page 15 it looks like the rudder cables exit the fuselage prior to station 5.  Is this correct?

Thanks, Pete

[CHARLES DEBOER]

I bought mine from Home Depot some buy them from Loews.  The first set broke after about 20 hours of use.  The second set are heavier gage.  So far at 44 hours and still look good.  I check them during every pre-flight.

Looking at page 15 it looks like the rudder cables exit the fuselage prior to station 5.  Is this correct? 
It depends exactly where you weld your cable guides.  I attached a piece of string to peddles and through the guides and to the horn.  If you see any interference with the fuse move the guide.

[CHARLES DEBOER]

The straps are adjustable in that you could drill another hole or make the straps longer or shorter.

[914pete]

Thanks for the reply's! 

Question, whats the procedure for rigging the rudder pedal return springs?  I bought rudder pedal return springs from ACS that I think will be the right length.  Should each spring be say 1/2 way extended when setting up the cables or should they be in their normal un-extended form when setting up the cable to the rudder attach points?  Thanks, Pete

[914pete]

I originally had the springs level with the pedal tab and attached to station 1 which of course caused binding.  Is this the general idea for setting them up?  Positioning the springs at this angle, both rudder pedals full forward, and no extension on the spring.  Now when toggling the pedals causing spring extension one way or the other, they seem to have nice fluid motion, no binding.  When I set up the rudder control cables there will be constant extension on both springs.  Is this correct?

Also, on page 15 the last rudder control cable fairlead looks like its at station 4 in the top picture but at station 5 in the bottom picture.  Is this a matter of preference?  At station 4 there's roughly 7' of cable outside the fuse.  Station 5 there's roughly 5'.

[Tom H]

Pete, on LEU Treehugger, I have springs that connect to the lower Sta 1 horizontal tubing and about the mid-point of the vertical part of the rudder pedal.  The spring has a slight stretch when pedal is full forward.  The spring has to be selected for the right length, diameter and wire diameter so it provides reasonable tension and also can be stretched to its fullest extension when the rudder pedal is full back, and still not be permanently deformed.  I tried several to get the right ones.

In my thinking, the rudder cables should always be under some tension, as for example, you push right rudder, and pull back your foot on the left pedal, the left cable will have some tension due to the spring.  On that note, be sure that any pulleys that the cables go through have keepers that will not let the cable get out of the pulley groove.

I have not tried the spring mounting like you show, but from your description, it works like I describe above and should be OK.

[CHARLES DEBOER]

I have springs that connect to the lower Station 1 engine mount bracket.  

[914pete]

Thanks for the replies!  After your tips and playing around with spring position I think the springs have to be under some tension at all times.  I was concerned this might shorten there life span.  I ordered standard pedal return springs from ACS so I'm assuming they will be stronger then hardware store springs.

[914pete]

I have springs that connect to the lower Station 1 engine mount bracket.  

Thanks for the pictures Charles.  That extra plate you have added to the rudder pedal spring attach points. Is that to limit the rudder deflection? If so, you did it at the rudder pedal rather then adding some sort of stops at the rudder itself?

[CHARLES DEBOER]

Yes Pete it is for limiting rudder deflection.  As you can see, it too is adjustable.  Just drilled another hole.