----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2014 10:38
AM
Subject: [LML] Re: Safety wiring will
pants
When we built up my ES wheel pants, we bonded a
large metal washer to the outside of the bolt holes, then put filler on
the sides to blend it in and a couple of BID over it. The idea was to
prevent stress from cracking the fiberglass by creating a hard point and
spreading the load. It doesn't protect the paint - I put a flat washer
under the bolt to do that. I've also lost bolts and spacers twice, even
though I preflight exactly the same way Gary described; by wiggling the back
end of the pant to check for tightness on each walkaround. Even though I
now put Locktite on the ends of the threads, that bolt will still back it's
way out over time. I just found one loose the last time I went flying a
couple of days ago and it took about a turn and a half to get the bolt tight
again.
If I had it to do over again, I'd probably figure
out a way to secure the bolt because it's been a persistent
issue.
Skip Slater
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2014 3:49 AM
Subject: [LML] Re: Safety wiring will pants
I have found that the bolt
needs to be part of the preflight inspection. Just wiggle the aft tip of the
pant and if it moves, tighten the bolt. I hesitate to really tighten it as
it would crush the pant material, so it's a judgement call. If you don't
tighten it enough it for sure will come loose. I'm guessing, but it seems
like about 10 ft-lbs is enough. One way to fix it would be to put a small
(SS?) metal plate on the surface screwed to the pant, maybe with one screw
behind the hole. Then put a star washer under the bolt head. Those bolt
heads bug me - they must be costing 2 knots! I was going to either build a
cavity in the pant to make them flush or to find a button head bolt. I did
neither.
Gary
I have lost my outer bolt and spacer two
times now for my wheel pants on the=
main gear.
Has anybody considered a way to safety
wire the bolt to the wheel pant the b=
olt to prevent loosing them
inflight?
I just hope it didn't hit
anybody.