Flap Torque/bearing surfaces

[DesertBearhawk]

Guys, my torque tube and "bearing" surfaces are not feeling the love....what method did you use to get the tube to rotate freely in the "bearing" on the two mounts? I'm thinking of using a break hone....

Thoughts?

[alaskabearhawk]

I've used valve lapping compound to loosen other parts like this. Force a bit in, wiggle and repeat. Once it starts rotating relatively freely, clean thoroughly with brake cleaner to flush all the abrasive out. Repeat if it needs a bit more, but don't overdo.

[dedgemon]

Use a die grinder or a dremel with a small sanding drum to clean out the "bearing" tube. Once that is done the harder part is really to get the bearings to be in proper alignment. The bearing on the steel frame assembly doesn't have any adjustment, just just have to weld it square! If I did it over I'd probably wait to finish weld these bearings until the wings were farther along.

[S Lathrop]

When I made these parts, torque tube supports, I used a brass bushing the diameter to the torque tube inside the tube that was to be the bearing. This assures the tube will stay reasonably round and helps prevent welding penetration from distorting the bearing surface. For one time use, I will substitute aluminum for brass.

[DesertBearhawk]

All great suggestions. I was able to lap my torque tube in using some valve grind compound. Nice and smooth now!