Control stick slop

powers · Post by **powers** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 12:54

The control stick in my champ has a lot of slop in it. I'm sure lots of you guys have gone about fixing this problem. So I'm wondering how you went about it. The first thing that comes to mind is to just drill the bolt hole out to the next bushing size and press in a bushing. Or should I just buy a new stick socket part?

Mnflyer · Post by **Mnflyer** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 18:37

Are talking about the socket that the stick fits into? If I've never found one loose generally I've found them to be soo tight its very hard to remove the stick, even had to use heat to get a couple loose.

powers · Post by **powers** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 19:33

No, not the stick. The piece the stick fits into goes down to the elevator push rod. It also has a -6 (i think) bolt through it and the aileron torque tube. The -6 bolt hole is worn badly. I can wiggle the the stick around because of it. But the stick in the socket is tight.

james gevay · Post by **james gevay** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 19:59

Is the stick loose only fore and aft or left and right, or both? If it's only fore and aft, it may only be the bottom of the stick casting and the interconect tube. That's where the clevis bolt is and I believe you can drill out and rebush the hole in the interconect tube, but I don't think you can drill out the casting.

If it's the AN6 bolt up above, then there's bushings behind the bolt and washers, The part numbers for the bushings are 1-2550 and the bolt is a AN6-25, and I believe the washers are a special size.
I know Wag Aero carries the parts.
Those parts probably should be replaced on a semi-regular basis.

powers · Post by **powers** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 20:59

Thanks james, I didn't know there were bushings around the dash 6 bolt. I'll get those coming and change them out.

james gevay · Post by **james gevay** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 05:28

It would be wise to change the bolt and nut as well, when you do the bushings.

Mikek · Post by **Mikek** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 06:47

james gevay wrote:It would be wise to change the bolt and nut as well, when you do the bushings.

Also while you are there check the AD

48-39-01 AERONCA: Applies to All Model 7 Series Aircraft.

To be accomplished as soon as possible but not later than November 1, 1948.

Inspect front and rear control stick socket castings, P/N 2-705, for cracks at the ears to which the push-pull tube attaches. If found cracked, the castings should be replaced. To prevent future failures the bolt, nut and washer now installed are to be replaced with a clevis bolt, AN 24- 16 (11/16 grip) and an AN 320-4 shear nut so that excessive loads cannot be placed on the socket ears.

Paul Agaliotis · Post by **Paul Agaliotis** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 07:31

powers,
You will need to make the steel bushing to the required size if you choose to repair your sockets. If you use Citabria sockets you will need to also purchase the Citabria bushings.
Paul

B PANCAKE · Post by **B PANCAKE** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 18:54

I repair the stick sockets using Aeronca Service Letter # 10 dated 2 September 1948 although I deviate some from the Service Letter. I machine new bushings and ream the casting oversize. This requires a field approval. Here is the wording that I use on the back of the 337 form. This same application applies to the Citabria becuase it is the same stick sockets.

Rebushed control stick sockets Pn 2-705 and control sticks connecting tube Pn 1-2383 using Aeronca Serive Letter No. 10 as a reference for this alteration and repair.

Ream both stick sockets Pn 2-705 to .710" and make new bushings Pn- 1-2550 oversize to fit the larger diameter. See Aeronca drawing 1-2550. Next ream lower end of stick socket ears to .3125" and control sticks connecting tube to .3125" as shown on Aeronca drawing 1-2383 and make oversized bushings to fit these parts. These bushing will be .635" long with a .250" + .001 -.000 diameter hole through the bushing with an AN24-16 clevis bolt AN960-416L washer and AN320-4 shear nut AN380-2-2 cotter key with the bushing being .010" longer so that excessive loads cannot be placed on the stick socket ears if the nut should be over torqued. This alteration and repair is necessary to eliminate excessive play in the control stick sockets do to years of wear.

Also include the 16 items for Continued Airworthiness on the 337 form.