Rod ends for the aileron and flap push rods

[Ed Welfred]

The rod ends that are suggested for the Patrol aileron and flap push rods have a ball width of .437 but the plans pg 13 show the space between the two receiving brackets that are fastened to the flap and aileron spars to only be .290. How do I get a .437 width rod end ball into a .290 space? What am I missing?

[Mark Goldberg]

Two options - you can put a little 1/16 joggle in the hinge "arms" - or alternately find a rod end with a more narrow ball. They do exist. Mark

[Ed Welfred]

Thanks Mark I thought maybe I was missing something.

[S Lathrop]

What size rod ends are called for. A ball width of .437 in is a 5/16 bore.

The 4 place used 3/16 bore a with a 1/4 shank. A 3/16 bore is .312 in. wide, which is very close to the .290 dimension you have.

Aurora Bearings has a XM 3 rod end which is 3/16 bore 1/4 shank in a mild steel housing. Or you can get XAM 3 which is alloy steel and has a static load capacity of 5,260 lbs.

[Ed Welfred]

Your correct, I am pricing some Aurora XAM 3s now for the ailerons. The flaps require a 5/16 thread. The Aurora XAM 4 has a 5/16 thread with a 3/16 bore, the ball does get wider at .375. These guys are getting expensive.

[sjt]

Aircraft spruce sells reverse thread taps and reverse thread rod ends if that is of any interest

[Ed Welfred]

Interesting, good to know

[Nev]

How is everyone putting a joggle in the hinges to accommodate the Aurora rod end bearings ? Is there a tool that does this ?

[PaulSA]

I just put the brackets in a vice and used a soft hammer .......

[Nev]

Thanks Paul, exactly how I did it