REFLECTOR: Elevator torque tube center bearings (Was: FrontVibration 90% resolved)

[Jeff Clough]

Tony Babb wrote:

> I'll be doing my elevators shortly. I've watched the video multiple 
> times but can't visualize this design improvement. Are there any 
> photos available?
>  
> Thanks
>  
> Tony
> SEFG
> 62% done, 78% to go.
>
>     ----- Original Message -----
>     *From:* KeithHallsten <mailto:KeithHallsten at quiknet.com>
>     *To:* Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
>     <mailto:reflector at tvbf.org>
>     *Sent:* Monday, October 04, 2004 10:08 PM
>     *Subject:* REFLECTOR: Elevator torque tube center bearings (Was:
>     FrontVibration 90% resolved)
>
>     I never thought the aluminum bracket (that the center ends of the
>     elevator torque tubes slip into) was a good design.  I didn't use
>     it, but instead got some spherical bearings that slip inside the
>     torque tubes.  I didn't cut off the doubled hinge arm in the
>     center of the canard, but bolted the bearings on either side of
>     it.  This arrangement provides more than twice as much overlap
>     between the support bearing and the torque tube.  It also provides
>     a real bearing, rather than a steel-on-aluminum faying surface. 
>     Several others on the reflector have made a similar design change. 
>      
>     Obviously there has not been a rash of torque tubes pulling out of
>     the aluminum sleeve, but I think more margin for movement is still
>     a valuable improvement.
>      
>     Keith Hallsten
>      
>
>
Even after having my elevators installed I went back and re-worked the 
center attachment... as described with the real bearings.....I had 
already cut off the center pivot point (I already had my elevators 
installed)...so I had to dig out the pivot point 'stump' and replace it. 
The real bearing re-design is a marked improvement and I am glad I did 
it....it is pictured and described in a past issue of VV...one of the 
earliest ones....if you have not cut off your center point pivot DO NOT 
DO SO until you decide which way to go......NOTE : I am still not 
flying  Jeff Clough