Wing Attach Bolts

[larry]

After removing the inspection covers for the wing bolts there was some moisture there. Should there be holes drilled in the covers for venting.  What about from top to bottom?   thanks    larry

[Dan Patch]

Larry,

As I recall, Rutan stated that the wing attach fittings should not be covered on the VariEze because of the potential corrosion problem.  A considerable amount of discussion about this issue subsequently ensued (cover, no cover, vent, no vent, etc., etc.).  For example, one of the better suggestions was to use clear plexiglass to allow fitting inspection before every flight.  

Personally, I have kept my fittings buried in grease and covered with fairly tight, but not perfectly sealed covers and opted not to take the "no-cover" advice since I have never had water in the fittings or any signs of corrosion in 24 years/1930 hours of operation.  My plane, however, is located in a relatively dry climate and kept in a hangar.  Your mileage may vary, so it's up to you to inspect and decide what to do - as you are currently in the process of doing.    

So here's a suggestion.  Go to the Canard Aviators Archive off of the EZ Squadron home page.  Sign up as a member so you can log in and then do a search.  I used "attach and wing and covers" to come up with gobs of relevant articles.  Since the archive contains about 20,000 posts, a search there FIRST often will give you the information that you are looking for and will save some of us from re-answering a question that has been heavily thrashed out in the past.  Try different search words, as required, to home in on what you want.  

[BTW, this 'search the archives first trick' will work for anyone, so how about you other guys giving it a try too!]   :shock:

Best,

[Guest 38]

My Varieze has been living (but hangered) in a wet environment for over twenty years. I built it with about 1/4 inch cutoffs from the elevator tube and epoxied them to the wing fittings at the taper pin holes. Then filled in with micro over the fitting, smooth with the wing and around the 1/4 inch tubes that access the bolts and nuts. This was done on both the top and bottom of the wing.
The top side has always had a one piece wide white tape over the two holes. The bottom needed tape or constant cleaning until wheel pants were installed.
Certainly not an 'approved' Rutan design, but has worked for me. I do make sure that I do have good grease over all of the aluminum fittings.
Good luck!

[Kilo42]

While on the subject of wing attach bolts.  My attach bolts are showing a little corrosion and need to be replaced.  The aluminum looks good.  I have ordered replacement parts from Aircraft Spruce and now need to complete the operation.  

Is it possible to replace the bolts without removing the wing?  Having never removed the wing it seems you would be able to tap one out and replace then repeat.

A search of the archives does not reveal an answer.


Thanks
Kilo42
Long-EZ 81HM

[Waiter]

I've changed the number of shim washers without removing the wing, same thing.

WARNING:  This is the most vulnerable time for irreparable damage to the wing or centerspar. The mounting points can easily be damaged if the bolts are loose or removed, and the wing is twisted or dropped.  

It might be better to do this with the nose gear extended, and a hundred lbs of weight in the pilots seat. (I use 40 lb salt bags, we use the salt in our water softener)

I propped up the end of the wing, and made sure it could not twist or fall. I  then loosened all three bolts just enough (3/8 inch) so I could slide the wing back, so I could see between the Centerspar and the wing.  Use a thin blade knife to reach between the wing and CS. Slide the washers back and forth on the bolt to make sure they are separated. Watch for THIN / THICK washers stuck together. You need an accurate count as to how many washers are at each location. I made a diagram in my airframe log book that shows how many washers are at each of the six bolts.

A helper who can rock or wiggle the wing will help in sliding the bolts in and out.

At this point, I slide the bolt out far enough so I can reach between the centerspar and the wing with a pair of tweezers and slide a new washer on or off the bolt.

You could just as easily slide the bolt all the way out, slide the new bolt just far enough so you can see the end of the bolt sticking through between the centerspar and the wing. Then use tweezers to put the correct number of washers back on the bolt. Then slide the bolt the rest of the way through.

Before tightening bolts, verify the correct number of washers at each location.

Good Luck

Waiter

[Waiter]

VENTS :
I'm not sure if the discussion was LONG or VARI.  I seem to remember a thread about attach vents not to long ago.

AnyWay, for a LongEZ;

I have a 1/8 inch hole in the 4 bottom covers. No hole in the 2 top covers .

ALSO, on the wing, there should be a drain (vent) tube that allows water to drain from the top bolt mount cavity to the bottom bolt mount cavity.

Waiter

[Kilo42]

Thanks Waiter.

Vents:

The CP's address this problem for a Long with the procedure mentioned in Waiters post.  It also suggests the use of a soda straw and micro to make a 'sleeve' between the top and bottom attachment area thus preventing moisture from entering the wing itself.


Kilo42