from bell crank in tail to rudder. just started my first annual.
when we took off the inspection covers on top of horizontal we noticed that the cables going to the
rudder were very loose.
the tension from pedals to bell crank seem to be of correct tension, but not the ones to the rudder.
any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks,
Bradley

1956 Cessna 180 serial number 32444

a

IA has a cable tensiometer.

That was it
But......
There is no turnbuckle on tail wheel cables. Fixed length
Would you put a chain length extension on tail wheel horn
Or turnbuckle

Thanks,
Bradley

Bradley - I'm looking at a plane that is showing similar problems. Did this cause there to be some play in the rudder when the control was in the neutral position?
How does the tailwheel cables have an effect on the rudder cables?

contactflying wrote:IA has a cable tensiometer.

well, I am not an IA, don't plan on becoming an IA, but i did stay at a Holiday Inn last night.

and this is my first airplane, and first annual... and was seeking an answer from experienced people
on this forum, and the first reply was correct.

after my mechanic uncoupled the cable from the tail wheel......wham... both cables to rudder were taunt.
and the rudder no longer had massive movement. so this was the culprit.
since I just bought the plane in May. and having gotten my tail wheel endorsement in February.
I didn't know enough to know that it could be better.
when he removed the covers on top of the horizontal stab. the rudder cables were laying on it. like a limp
rope. but inside fuse the cables were taunt.

Thanks for the reply, my mechanic has ordered new links per cessna parts diagram. so we will see how it
goes when my mechanic puts it back together.

and as per service manual .....no tensiometer is needed in rigging the rudder on a cessna 180 that I could read
just 6.5" from firewall and rudder centered.

Bradley

I would suggest always referencing your maintenance manual when I comes to things like this.

Bdiazair wrote:I would suggest always referencing your maintenance manual when I comes to things like this.

thanks, Um, thats where we started,

Thanks again TangoFox you saved us a lot of digging and head scratching with just one post.

a

TangoFox wrote:

It is just spring tension that holds the rudder cables taught.
If the tailwheel cables are too short for whatever reason they stretch the springs leaving the rear rudder cables loose.

Same could be said for rear rudder cables being too long also.

Be sure check pulleys etc. for wear and deformation of the mounts.
Look closely at the cables to see if they look "factory"

I will pass this on to my IA,
Thanks for your help.