Loose yoke?

[ryoder]

I noticed some play in the yoke yesterday. How much is cause for concern? What is the repair?

The passenger yoke doesn't have as much play as the pilots side. This airplane has 2500tt.

[Mooneymite]

Where is the play?

 

Is it yoke-to-shaft?

Is it aileron?

Is it elevator?

 

Can you tell us where the excess movement is?

 

Perhaps you could have someone hold the control surfaces while you move the yoke and determing "how much play" we are talking about.

 

?

[bonal]

I think there might be an AD on the early models concerning the connection from yoke to shaft and there is an inspection requirement.

[triple8s]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&ei=jLiiVNX3GpejyATfo4CoAw&url=http://mooneyspace.com/topic/11189-ad-77-17-04-control-shaft-inspection/&ved=0CCwQFjAA&usg=AFQjCNFK1WjS8JwDu2kEG_zN_aaiXFt7Vw

[Seth]

Very much cause for concern.  There is a single attachment point under the yoke.  Tighten it up.  Know that it will continue to loosen up.  Make sure it is tight so you don't have the yoke come off in flight.  May be a good time to upgrade.

 

-Seth

[Andy95W]

Very much cause for concern.  There is a single attachment point under the yoke.  Tighten it up.  Know that it will continue to loosen up.  Make sure it is tight so you don't have the yoke come off in flight.  May be a good time to upgrade.

 

-Seth

Unless the play is the shaft through the phenolic ball that goes through the instrument panel. Best way to fix that is to swap the pilot and co-pilot balls and you're good for another 2500 hours.

I hope suggesting swapping balls doesn't get me banned.

[ryoder]

The play is in aileron movement. I dont know how to quantify it but it is there. I turn the yoke a bit and then it engages. Ill have to check it out closer tomorrow when I go back out to the hangar. There is an AD on it coming up and I will figure out how far into it I am.

[ryoder]

Where is the play?

Is it yoke-to-shaft?

Is it aileron?

Is it elevator?

Can you tell us where the excess movement is?

Perhaps you could have someone hold the control surfaces while you move the yoke and determing "how much play" we are talking about.

?

Ill have my mechanic look at it. He just zooms over in his golf,cart.

[Bob_Belville]

The AD I'm familiar with is

 

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library%5CrgAD.nsf/AOCADSearch/9D64BD7BF95E495B86256A3B007021F5?OpenDocument

 

Discussed here:

http://mooneyspace.com/topic/11189-ad-77-17-04-control-shaft-inspection/

[Mooneymite]

I presume that the AD on the aileron links has been complied with, correct?

 

98-24-11, I think....and service bulletin 289A.  They kind of go together.  These would pertain more to binding ailerons than sloppy linkage.

[Guest]

Mooney SB M20-264 and FAA AD98-24-11 concern cracking in two links below the floor in the belly. Cracking of the links would result in loss of aileron control if allowed to go to the point of failure. So initially some free play prior to failure. Certainly worth looking at.

There is also as mentioned another AD and SB on cracking of the control column shaft in the last two inches. Check AD 77-17-04 and sb M20-205B. All control wheels are secured to the shaft with a taper pin and a set screw for early models and a bolt for late models.

While holding the ailerons securely, wiggle the control system looking for looseness, you should be able to locate the trouble.

Clarence

[ryoder]

Thanks Clarence

[ryoder]

My mechanic came over and had to tighten the set screw about half a turn.  The yoke is no longer loose.  

He checked the ailerons and they were fine.

 

We went around the airplane and did a bunch of pre-flight check type checks and he told me I should add some white lithium grease to the movable joints on the ailerons, elevator, and rudder.  Everything else looked ok.

[Guest]

My mechanic came over and had to tighten the set screw about half a turn.  The yoke is no longer loose.  

He checked the ailerons and they were fine.

 

We went around the airplane and did a bunch of pre-flight check type checks and he told me I should add some white lithium grease to the movable joints on the ailerons, elevator, and rudder.  Everything else looked ok.

A drop of blue loctite on the set screw should stop it from loosening, but still allow removal for AD compliance.

Clarence

[pmj341]

There is an AD and there is an inspection of the yoke tube, the yoke removed and

Inspected for cracks, then reinstall , making sure the Allen set screw is tight and thru bolt(tapered) on early models, is also tight

[Mooneymite]

My mechanic came over and had to tighten the set screw about half a turn.  

 

 

Ah!  The nut that holds the yoke.

 

Yeah....I have that problem all the time.   

[ryoder]

Back when I was a computer tech we often diagnosed a computer issue as a loose nut on the keyboard..

[RonM2OC]

The Control Wheel Shafts (Yoke) Fatigue Cracks Service Bulletin inspection SB M20-205B for our M20C is a reaccuring inspection every 500 hours, after the initial inspection. 205B replaces 205A.

[Marauder]

For those of you impacted by the AD (as was I), with Mooney back in business, you should be able to order the yoke upgrade kit. This will eliminate the AD and give you modern yokes.