Meshach Posted December 1 Report Posted December 1 I have a 1970 F. The trailing edge of the flaps have about 1/2” of vertical play when the flaps are fully down. The rod end at the end of the motor has a slot that allows this play. I’m wondering if this is the way it’s supposed to be or if it’s supposed to be a hole and after 55 years, it’s turned into a slot.
Flyler Posted December 1 Report Posted December 1 I'm curious about this too as my 68/69F had the same issue, but I never investigated it. One difference between my F and J- while the F had electric flaps, I don't think it had limit switches. Or maybe it was just out of rig. I would be very surprised to have a nicely shaped slot if it was from wear/abrasion alone, and not machined. I would expect the slot to veer towards one edge of the rod, as there is less cross-sectional material there- less and less as you get towards the edge. So I would expect an arc, and it would be very bell mouthed and ugly.
Meshach Posted December 1 Author Report Posted December 1 If it is meant to be there, what is the reason for the slot?
Flyler Posted December 1 Report Posted December 1 This is just conjecture, but perhaps the electric motor just runs to a hard stop and the slot is there to prevent the flaps from getting bent on over travel.
takair Posted December 2 Report Posted December 2 I’ve not specifically familiar with this actuator, but was thinking it is missing a spring or bumper. Sure enough, came across this on a salvage site. 2
Flyler Posted December 2 Report Posted December 2 I'm not sure it helps, but this might be yours: https://texasairsalvage.com/main_view.php?editid1=288895 I'm thinking more about this and it really could be beaten into a slot. There's gotta be a female/male cylinder interface that would prevent the wear from going off center. So a straight worn slot would make sense. Edit- I didn't see takair's *better response before mine. That explains it! You can see that yours has the sad remnants of a rubber bumper. These are the exact sort of things that dry up and crumble away on our older planes. Now I'm going to reach out to the new owner of my F so he can see this post too 1
Shadrach Posted Wednesday at 03:36 PM Report Posted Wednesday at 03:36 PM On 12/1/2025 at 4:23 PM, Meshach said: I have a 1970 F. The trailing edge of the flaps have about 1/2” of vertical play when the flaps are fully down. The rod end at the end of the motor has a slot that allows this play. I’m wondering if this is the way it’s supposed to be or if it’s supposed to be a hole and after 55 years, it’s turned into a slot. Greetings Meshach, I am questioning why the play is only evident when the flaps are fully extended. Seems like it would manifest anytime the flaps are deployed.
Mooneymite Posted Wednesday at 08:38 PM Report Posted Wednesday at 08:38 PM I think my flap spacer was an owner manufactured part....
ProtoFly Posted Wednesday at 09:54 PM Report Posted Wednesday at 09:54 PM Off topic, but.... Funny how those flap actuators look an awful lot like the infamous landing gear actuator....wonder if they share any common parts... Meanwhile, I'll have to take a look at my flap actuator - pretty sure I have the same elongated hole...
Meshach Posted Thursday at 01:08 AM Author Report Posted Thursday at 01:08 AM 9 hours ago, Shadrach said: Greetings Meshach, I am questioning why the play is only evident when the flaps are fully extended. Seems like it would manifest anytime the flaps are deployed. I preflight with flaps down. I’m sure you’re right, they have play at any setting except up. 1
PT20J Posted Thursday at 01:30 AM Report Posted Thursday at 01:30 AM 3 hours ago, ProtoFly said: Off topic, but.... Funny how those flap actuators look an awful lot like the infamous landing gear actuator....wonder if they share any common parts... Meanwhile, I'll have to take a look at my flap actuator - pretty sure I have the same elongated hole... Same basic type of mechanism, but the gear actuator is much beefier.
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