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Thread: Anyone have Spruce make their rudder cables?

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  1. #1
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    Default Anyone have Spruce make their rudder cables?

    Hi guys. I'm thinking of having Spruce Specialties fab my rudder cables as they have never been changed and I don't own the tools to do it myself. Mine was first flown in '94 so I guess I'm a bit past the three year window per the Service Letter.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Anyone have Spruce make their rudder cables?

    Will be really hard to get the eyelets through the tubes welded onto the inside of the fuselage once both ends are on the cable. JImChuk

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    Default Re: Anyone have Spruce make their rudder cables?

    Oh crap! I have not been out to the barn since I printed those letters. I wondered if there were fairleads for the cables. What a pain. Sometimes there are two piece guides that come apart for pre-fab cables. Guess I gotta buy a new tool.

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    Senior Member t j's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anyone have Spruce make their rudder cables?

    Just to be sure you need to change the cables. I see in your photo on the other thread you have the copper nicopress on the cable end. If the cables are steel and not stainless steel the cables are okay. If a magnet sticks to the cable they are steel.
    Tom Jones
    Classic 4 builder

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    Default Re: Anyone have Spruce make their rudder cables?

    Quote Originally Posted by t j View Post
    Just to be sure you need to change the cables. I see in your photo on the other thread you have the copper nicopress on the cable end. If the cables are steel and not stainless steel the cables are okay. If a magnet sticks to the cable they are steel.
    But from what I read, they have to be changed out within three years anyway. Am I reading too much into this?

  6. #6
    Senior Member jiott's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anyone have Spruce make their rudder cables?

    Kitfox sells the Nicopress tool and eyelets, sleeves, etc. They are not very expensive. The manual tells how to do it.
    Jim Ott
    Portland, OR
    Kitfox SS7 flying
    Rotax 912ULS

  7. #7
    Senior Member t j's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anyone have Spruce make their rudder cables?

    Quote Originally Posted by beeryboats View Post
    But from what I read, they have to be changed out within three years anyway. Am I reading too much into this?
    Okay, I went back and read service bulletin#52 again. I see now it is confusing as written.

    My decision to not replace my cables is based on the statement in the bulletin...
    "The galvanized steel cables can be used with either sleeve".
    But, that's just my opinion. I'm not advising anyone to not replace their cables.
    Tom Jones
    Classic 4 builder

  8. #8
    Senior Member Wheels's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anyone have Spruce make their rudder cables?

    I don't know what the cost difference would be, but, every A&P mechanic has swedging tools and knows how to do a cable tension test. I'd ask around a little.

  9. #9
    Senior Member t j's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anyone have Spruce make their rudder cables?

    So if I have galvanized cables is my aircraft not "affected"?
    That's the way I interpret it.
    Tom Jones
    Classic 4 builder

  10. #10
    Senior Member jiott's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anyone have Spruce make their rudder cables?

    Just call McBean and get the straight answer.
    Jim Ott
    Portland, OR
    Kitfox SS7 flying
    Rotax 912ULS

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