Greetings & Happy Holidays!
I'm reaching out to see if any of you can shed light on this:
Before starting my 1964 C-182, when I check 'controls free & correct,' they always are. Then when I've started the engine & recheck 'controls free & correct,' there is a 'modest-bind' when I pull the yoke about half-way back.
--this 'binding' always releases by pulling a bit harder...
--this only happens about 1 of 5 starts...
--this only happens on the 1st flight of the day...
--my mechanic says the cables are all fine...
(Perhaps the propwash over the horiz-stabilizer is somehow involved?)
Any input/ideas is sincerely appreciated, Richard 541-389-4523

Did your mechanic check the firewall for damage from the nose gear?

MTV

mtv wrote:Did your mechanic check the firewall for damage from the nose gear?

MTV

or for any bundle tie interference with the yoke... or something else. Don't think I'd fly it 'til I kew the underlying issue was solved and fixed.

Can't you have a friend look behind the panel from the passenger side (take the seat out to make room) while you fire up the engine and manipulate the controls?

How is this check before you start the engine? You do a control check before you start don’tyou?

Before engine start everyone should always do a control check in a quiet cabin with no one talking so you can feel and listen for any unusual noises of feel for grinding, scraping or binding.

Kurt

G44 wrote:How is this check before you start the engine? You do a control check before you start don’tyou?

Before engine start everyone should always do a control check in a quiet cabin with no one talking so you can feel and listen for any unusual noises of feel for grinding, scraping or binding.

Kurt

OP mentioned it was fine before engine start. I was never taught to do as you suggest but it sure makes more sense than doing it on the run up pad with headphones on.

I only had one occasion where "boxing the controls" was a problem. It was a old 172 owned by one of my students. It had just had an annual and had a snag similar to the one described here.

I told the student to taxi us back in without hesitation. We were about to head up and do some spin entries, so there was no "it might be fine" to be had.

It was a poorly routed static line contacting the moving yoke contraption in the panel.

The only thing that comes to mind that would be different with the engine off vs on to me is the mixture. all out vs all in. I have seen the cable controls rub up on the control column many times.

I would say set up everything as if the engine is running, and listen, feel, look around.

The instrument panels on most of the 182's still have rubber shock mounts which over time wear out causing the panel to droop down. With the engine running there can be just enough vibration to cause it to contact the control column.
Like Kurt said, it is wise to check "free and correct" before engine start with a quiet cabin, then again just before take-off.
I learned this lesson the hard way. Please get it looked at.