As of today, the trim in my A185F won't roll nose up. It'll go forward, but not back. I can roll it back a little, but it just feels like it's taking up slack and nothing moves. There's no vertical or horizontal play on the horizontal stabs.

We took all of the inspection covers off and looked at everything visible forward of the aft-most bulkhead, and under the access panel underneath the jackscrews. Nothing abnormal.

Unfortunately, it's stuck at the home field and I'm forced to use the talent I have available, which isn't especially Skywagon expertise.

I've talked to a couple of experienced pilots and owners, and they both think it's likely related to crud on the jackscrews or bushings. They suggested I "simply" pull the tail off and clean and re-lube the jackscrews. I'd rather not. And I'd really rather not replace the jackscrews, as the kit for that is $2662 from McFarlane.

Before I embark on this tail removal and reinstallation, is there something else I should look at? I don't think it's the trim wheel. When that famously-failing pin goes, the wheel spins freely without moving the stabilizer. The chains, cables, pulleys and turnbuckles all look normal, as does the course of the cables (that is, it doesn't look like anything has jumped a pulley).

And since it's stuck at home, can you recommend someone who might be willing to come to Indianapolis and take care of it? My local A&P has a medical situation that makes it so he wouldn't be able to do it without my help. Given the option, I'd rather have someone else do it while I went to work and earned money to pay him.

Give me a ring… we can spitball the issue.

Greg-

I have had it where things were a bit tight on the jack screws. I poked a little hole in the boot that covers the jack screws and sprayed some corrosion X in there and it loosened things up. Might not be the perfect solution, but it worked for me.

Barrakudaman wrote:…I poked a little hole in the boot that covers the jack screws and sprayed some corrosion X ...

I would refrain from this… no holes should be in the boot. It’s meant to keep particulates out. Also the X may break down the grease and cause wear.

Trim not working, or a runaway trim would be a bad deal. I think I'd take it all apart and find the problem, not just fiddle with it enough to get it to work one time. The system isn't very complicated, just not super easy to get to.

Ditto what StillLearning stated. Do it right. This is a flight control problem, not prudent to be looking for shortcuts. Most Skywagon trim "issues" are from neglect, either poor or non-existent maintenance. Disassemble, clean, inspect and replace worn parts as required, reassemble with proper lubricants. I have put over 4000 hours on my 180H with zero trim system issues. Like all systems, it requires periodic maintenance to include disassembly and inspection. Your efforts will be rewarded with a trouble-free system that works as it was designed.

TR

I hope this isn't a stupid question, but I've never been involved in Skywagon maintenance. How much labor is involved in taking the tail off, clean everything and relube it, and put it back together? Assuming that's all you do and don't need any parts.

I have 1977 180k i have had for 28 years work on a lot of wagons. I can remove tail inspect an re rig in 3 to 4 hrs . I just did a 185 f that just came out of a major rebuild. Owner ask me to check some things . 65 hrs later I had it working he said better since he has ever had it for over 30 year .after 30 hrs work I flew it .trim wheel hardly moved in flight wheel alignment way out right wing heavy.remove tail all good not rigged right .many other things needed fixing. I also recommend doing 500 hrs lifter inspection . Did 4 last spring at annual . Takes about 4 hrs if owner helps clean parts.one 185 last year had 3 lifters I changed in time 600 and some hours since oh.

Bigrenna wrote:Give me a ring… we can spitball the issue.

Greg-

Man... there are a ton of good skywagon guys with good support here. But this.... there simply aren't many Good IA's that will stop work, on paying customers ships to, take a phone call from a 'maybe' to help them out.

As TR alluded to, ownership of some of these great ships is just going to require you to suck it up and put some elbow grease, and cash... in, sometimes to do it right. Bladders come to mind And of course the return for that is getting to enjoy an iconic ship, with peace of mind that it will still be iconic when it's time to pass on... or you can be the guy that gets it good enough to run, and maybe, best case scenario, pass on a project.

Take care, Rob