How much pressure to pull yoke full back?

[Glen Davis]

I have a 1989 M20J.  It has a Garmin GFC 500 auto pilot. During my preflight check when checking “controls free and clear“ it is necessary to apply about 10 to 15 pounds of pressure on the yolk to pull it back to the stop. When I let go it springs forward. I recently flew a 1985 M20K with a GFC 500 AP.  During the same preflight check, there was almost no resistance to pulling the yolk all the way back.  Which amount of resistance is correct?

[bluehighwayflyer]

 

[PT20J]

Both are correct: different models with different elevator control systems as explained in the thread above. The autopilot doesn’t have anything to do with it.

[Fritz1]

Check the friction of the yoke shaft ball in the panel, make sure ball moves freely, when in doubt clean ball and shaft with contact cleaner, lube all joints of elevator control linkage with triflo, chances are something is dragging somewhere, do not lube ball or yoke shaft, if ball stuck, take bearing off instrument panel, move around, clean with contact cleaner and remount

[Pinecone]

And if you are doing a major panel job, replace the yoke balls.  Easy when everything is apart.

[N201MKTurbo]

I asked @blueontop that question once while doing a design study on a portable autopilot. He responded, “I don’t know. It depends.”

[201Steve]

Here’s a question for you (spring loaded), how much pressure is required to keep the nose down in an initial climb with full trim up? That’s probably the most extreme scenario for control pressure. 

[N201MKTurbo]

45 minutes ago, 201Steve said:

Here’s a question for you (spring loaded), how much pressure is required to keep the nose down in an initial climb with full trim up? That’s probably the most extreme scenario for control pressure. 

My wild ass guess using my questionably calibrated arms, is about 20 Lbs.