Loose CA hinge help
 

Hi everyone,

Just started my flight training with my LT 40 kit. Sure is nice to something you built actually fly. Anyway, I was doing a pre-flight check before my 4th flight, and found I had my upper rudder CA hinge had come loose. What tips do you have to replace/repair that hinge. Since the lower hinge is still secured on, how do I go about fixing the upper hinge? Do I disconnct the control rod from the horn and swivel the rudder to its farthest travel and re-slot new hinge slots. I don't think it will swivel out far enough to re-slot straight and true. Some of the guys on the field said to use epoxy on the old hinge. Kind of doubtful on that suggestion, but I know many of you have run into this problem. So whats your take?

Thanks
CC

RE: Loose CA hinge help
 

I'd use gorilla glue, a VERY THIN smear. It will expand. I've done that on planes bigger than an LT40 without tearing up anything.

RE: Loose CA hinge help
 

I never use ca hinges, what do you think of this? drill a hole through the rudder and the hinge the size of a tooth pick. epoxy a toothpick or 2 into the rudder through the hinge sand flat and recover.
or cut the hinges loose reslot and install new higes.

RE: Loose CA hinge help
 

I personally like the toothpick idea, only I'd use thin CA. Drill 2-3 holes in each side of the hinge, push the toothpicks through, and put a couple of drops of CA on each one. Cut the ends of the toothpicks flush with the surface.

This will work fine for a trainer. If it was a faster, more maneuverable sport plane, I'd recommend replacing the hinge or cutting the rudder off and rehinging all of them.

Dr.1

RE: Loose CA hinge help
 

I just had hinge issues with my LT40, on a post flight inspection a couple of days ago, noticed that one of the elevator hinges had broken.
I personally do not like to play the 'it should be OK if I do ...' game. So I cut off the elevator and
replaced all 4 hinges. only took an hour (recoverd the elevator at the same time) and I have the
security that all the hinges are now sound. (They are CA hinges by the way)
I would take off the rudder and re hinge it.
Dan