National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

In restoring my Chief, I discovered that the bushings where the control wheel shaft passes through (the fiber ones mounted on the fuselage) are worn and cracked. Does anyone have a source for these bushings? Also, it looks like they are held in by simply bending the small tabs over the bushing. Any information on replacing these bushings would be helpful. Has anyone replaced the old fiber bushings with nylon? ANY help here is appreciated. Thanks...Matt

Matt,

My guess is that this is something that you will end up having to make.

That said, if you do there might be several of us interested in buying some replacements!

Might even look at making some myself.

McMaster Carr has phenolic material and Nylon in bar stock. Measure the OD, see if you can get some bar stock that dia. You can cut the pieces to length and then drill the correct ID.

Looked into doing this and would drill the initial hole, then get a reamer and make a final pass to true it up.

All of this should be done on either a drill press or lathe unless anyone else has a better idea.

M-Carr has phenolic tubing that I have used for anti crush bushings in the spars. They have several different sizes. May be able to find some that is just right. Never checked.

Has anyone tried using 'Nylotron'? (I think thats what it's called) From what I read it's a pretty stout nylon plastic that Northern's use for axel bushings on ski's. Doesn't wear and would seam to work nice.

nkh