Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
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Slack Rudder Cables
When I adjusted the rudder cable tension the wings weren't on the plane yet and the nose gear was near the bottom of it's travel. I had 25 pounds, both right and left. But after the wings were on, the nose of the plane was several inches lower. Since the firewall slants back this has the effect of loosening the rudder cables. They are totally slack now!
Here's my question. If I tension cables now the tension my be right on the ground, but the tension will increase drastically when the plane is the air and the nose gear is all the way extended. How do you avoid putting too much tension on the rudder cables when adjusting them on the ground?
Comment
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Comment by Mark LaPierre on January 1, 2014 at 3:48pm
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Hey Dan, is there anything in the instructions? Have you checked with Chris Heintz at Zenith?
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Comment by Dan Dempsey on November 26, 2013 at 5:55pm
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Ben, Thanks for the input. I think you're right, if you do this wrong something could get damaged, and at the worst time.. The first time you fly. Glad I caught this.
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I readjusted the rudder cable today. I gradually jacked the plane up with my tension guage on the cable. I noticed before the wheel was off the ground that the cable tension was getting high. I adjust the tension down a couple of turns on both sides and jacked it up a little more. Again before the wheel was off the ground the tension was getting high. So I slacked them up a few more turns then got the wheel all the way off the ground with the gear seated in the bearing block. Set the tension then put the plane back down. Is anyone using a cable tensioner to keep some tension on the rudder while it's on the ground? It seems like this would be easy to do and would keep the rudder from flapping back and forth in the wind.
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I guess this means I should jack the plane up before adjusting the cables. The bungy is definately not hold the gear on the bearing block.
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Comment by Ben Haas on November 17, 2013 at 12:21pm
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The geometry designed into the nosewheel steering /rudder cables by Zenith will lead to loose cables when the nosegear is not fully seated on the lower pad.... Do NOT adjust the cables so they are at proper tension when the gear is down a little... When you get airborne the cable tension will destroy something. IMHO..
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