RV-8QB: SB 16-12-16 Missing Center Section Bolts

[RV8JD]

...........

[chrispratt]

The early RV-8QB plan sets do not have a drawing 64. The Center Spar section is in Drawing 11. I only have the preview drawings with me at home but there is no reference to these bolts in that drawing dated 1996. I will check my full plan set next time I am at the airport to verify.

Chris

[xblueh2o]

Read the SB and saw the reference to difficulty to access with wings installed.
I am not near my fuselage or plans but can I assume on a canoe with no wings attached yet that the inspection and installation of the missing hardware while possibly aggravating would be possible without opening holes in the skin or upper flange?

[longline]

were the subject of another post of mine, addressed by the Mothership about three weeks ago. I think these bolt holes were left open in case the center section was going to be used as a nose dragger, and can easily be overlooked when building a tail dragger.
If the wings are not installed it is relatively easy to use thin plywood, about the width of a yardstick, as a nut holding jig to start the nuts, with access through the wing root area. Use a little drop of superglue to hold the washer to the nut.... once started, revert to the use of a wrench to finish the torque sequence. Took all of 30 minutes. The holes in the upper cap, as shown in the service bulletin, are probably a better solution in the case of an aircraft with wings mounted and wires installed.

[xblueh2o]

Ok, that is kind of what I was thinking it might be but not being near the project to look at it I wasn't sure.
When I got my QB fuselage I started at the beginning of the SB instructions and surveyed what had been done or not step by step over a couple days and I thought I had done a decent job but I guess I missed that because I sure don't remember looking for a dozen bolts in the spar. Makes me want to go back and do it all again to see what else I missed.

[rvbuilder2002]

Originally Posted by xblueh2o

Read the SB and saw the reference to difficulty to access with wings installed.
I am not near my fuselage or plans but can I assume on a canoe with no wings attached yet that the inspection and installation of the missing hardware while possibly aggravating would be possible without opening holes in the skin or upper flange?

Yes, particularly if the control column is not yet installed so that you have full access through the pass through hole.

[xblueh2o]

That is even better news. I had the control system totally fit up and installed but I have recently removed all of it in preparation of painting the interior.
Thanks Scott.

[cdeerinck]

Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002

Yes, particularly if the control column is not yet installed so that you have full access through the pass through hole.

Going though the center or from the sides is about equally difficult. I built a tool by duct taping a wrench on a 2' stick to hold the nut in place. A piece of duct tape on the back of the wrench keeps the nut in place. Getting the washer on was a little more difficult, but I used long forceps. All this while the control column was installed.

Even with wings on, I think this could be done without resorting to cutting holes, but I'm glad I didn't have to do that.

[RVG8tor]

I had to remove the gear mounts for my RV-8A, issues with the QB installation.

I made a long reach wrench by taking some square small steel tube and a cutoff box end wrench, i used JB weld and it is a permanent and strong junction. I could reach in from the wing side all the way past the middle.

Just and idea, cheap wrench from Harbor Freight.

Cheers

[jbDC9]

For this SB, is there a serial number range or perhaps a a kit "vintage" date? I checked my -8QB this morning, bolts were factory installed. Which is good I guess... 2004 QB fuselage, been flying for 10 years.