Rudder Cable Slack Tearing Fabric

[richas]

This is happening where the cables exit the fuselage forward of the springs. They are cutting the fabric towards the ground.

My annual is coming up. Should I have them check for excess slack in the cables, add some sort of reinforcement, both?

Thanks

Rich

[Gilbert Pierce]

I would check the cable fairleads in the tail. They keep the cables aligned. I wouldn't think slack would cause tearing.

[richas]

I would check the cable fairleads in the tail. They keep the cables aligned. I wouldn't think slack would cause tearing.

Hmm, aren't those just steel tubes welded to the fuse? If so it would be hard to see how one would fail let alone both.

Rich

[Gilbert Pierce]

They have nylon or wood or phenolic (original) bushings inside the steel guide tube and held in with steel snap rings. The bushings keep the control cables from rubbing on the steel guides.

[richas]

Well the annual is coming up, I will have it all looked at.

Thanks

Rich

[jay heil]

if it doesnt have the bushings [fairleads] in the steel guide tube I believe I would get new ones ordered yesterday!

[BrettL]

I recall seeing something similar once where I think the fabric was missing the correct reinforcements at the cable exit points. I think these are typically natural or artificial leather.

[richas]

Leather patches ordered.

[jay heil]

I think those are a sort of to protect the fabric from thr cable wearing on the paint ,they are just glured on ,dont think they will solve what ever problem you have ---do you have slots burned or cut in the fabric so they dont tear it? you have to have slots not just holes , not saying you dont but just an idea

[Roger, Roger]

Make sure you check the rudder cables well for broken strands in that area, it's surprising but the fabric can actually cause enough wear to break strands in the rudder cable.