Message-Id: <3.0.3.32.19981016233744.00ca1d30@olsusa.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 1998 23:37:44 -0400
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
From: N295VV@aol.com (by way of Marvin Kaye <marvkaye@olsusa.com>)
Subject: Re: Drag Links IV
Mime-Version: 1.0

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From:  n295vv @aol.com  (n295 v v @aol.com)

I have been working on replacing the drag links on my IV, and I have the
following observations:

Order longer bolts when you order your heavier drag links--they are thicker,
and the bolts used on the original configuration do not work--they are too
short.  This seemed to come as a surprise to the factory....

I spent the entire afternoon today trying to find an AN5-42 drilled bolt
without success.  Yesterday, I was able to get two AN4-10 drilled bolts for
the other ends.
I finally ordered the AN5-42 from the factory.  Meanwhile the plane sits on
jacks, and UPS gets richer...

I noticed one of the original drag links was bent on the aft end--this with
200 hours on it.  The  two 1/4 inch holes are slightly elongated on the yoke
--I am considering reaming them out to 5/16 to give them more strength and to
eliminate bolt wobbling.  If you have any observations on the advisability of
this, please respond.

Since we have now beefed up the drag links, I am reiterating my original
observation--we are going to transfer the enormous stress of landing to some
other part of the gear--and I am afraid it is going to damage the yoke or the
gear attachment bolts.
Compared to the new sturdy drag links, the yoke looks very anemic, indeed.
I'll bet you we hear of fatigue cracks in the weldments on the yoke in the
future, or even complete failure---anyone want to cover my bet?

David Jones
Pecatonica, Illinois