How to access rod end bearing to correct excess rudder play

[M20 Ogler]

My IA says the rudder play on my C is beyond tolerance. Him and I are scratching our heads on how to access the rod end to correct it. Anyone here do this on a Mooney? Did you have to drill out rivets and remove skins?

[EricJ]

Which one is bad?   There are some access panels on the bottom of the tail that sort-of provide access.   It's not the easiest place to work.

[M20 Ogler]

1 minute ago, EricJ said:

Which one is bad?   There are some access panels on the bottom of the tail that sort-of provide access.   It's not the easiest place to work.

 

[cliffy]

The entire tail comes off fairly easily

[Kelpro999]

I believe that removing the right side elevator bungee and pushrod from the elevator (support elevator) , then moving them to the left allows one hand and two wrenches in there. One  ratchet wrench and one combo. 

[PT20J]

Is there a spec for rudder play for the C? On the J, the only spec I can find is for vertical movement (jack screw, trim link wear check). I cannot imagine that a little play in the rudder would affect flight characteristics -- it will only increase the dead zone where the rudder floats and pilot rudder inputs are not nearly as precise aileron or elevator inputs, so it would have to be really sloppy before you'd feel it. I would make sure that it is really out of some published limit before going to all the trouble to replace the rod end unless the rod end is so sloppy that it is in danger of failing. Because of all the play in the linkages, they all have some play at the rudder. If you are trying to measure it, be sure to clamp a bar across the rudder pedals to eliminate the play in the steering linkages.

[hammdo]

I have a little in my C when I preflight it. Left right test shows a bit of wiggle - no up/down though. I’ve not noticed any issues in flight and I’ve not discovered any maintenance specs for it…

-Don

[SheryLoewen]

Check the Steering horn at he top of the nose gear with the nose off the ground

 most likely the problem is wear there,

 Paul Loewen

 

[Utah20Gflyer]

5 minutes ago, SheryLoewen said:

Check the Steering horn at he top of the nose gear with the nose off the ground

 most likely the problem is wear there,

 Paul Loewen

 

I’d second this hypothesis.   How did the mechanic isolate the play to the tail of the plane?  

[cliffy]

Everyone also forgets about the rudder pedal bearing blocks right behind the firewall that get loose

They are a PIA to tighten but need it.  Probably never done on 95% of Mooneys

[TCW3]

About two years ago, I had to replace my nose gear assembly for this reason. Wasn't anything we could do otherwise as the issue was caused by wear. 

[Fly Boomer]

On 3/4/2024 at 9:40 PM, cliffy said:

Everyone also forgets about the rudder pedal bearing blocks right behind the firewall that get loose

They are a PIA to tighten but need it.  Probably never done on 95% of Mooneys

I couldn't find this in my IPC.  Do you know where this is documented in the IPC or SMM?