Replacement of rubber t-profile connecting wing and hull
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- Steve
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Re: Replacement of rubber t-profile connecting wing and hull
Not sure that the sailplane tape will bridge the gap on the DA40. The specified part is glued to the fuselage, and the wing root fits into it. I believe I may have some at the hangar that I bought several years ago, but never used. Let me check...
Steve
Steve
Last edited by Steve on Mon Feb 18, 2013 3:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Rick
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Re: Replacement of rubber t-profile connecting wing and hull
Steve, I'm not sure which part you are referring to that is 'glued to the fuselage' - if I remember correctly, the wing root (T-seal) just presses into the gap between the top of the wing root and the top of the wing itself. No glue required. It seems like the sailplane tape would have been a great substitute for covering up that gap on my DA40. Maybe I misunderstood your concern?Steve wrote:Not sure that the sailplane tape will bridge the gap on the DA40. The specified part is glued to the fuselage, and the wing root fits into it. I believ I may have some at the hangar that I bought several years ago, but never used. Let me check...
Steve
Roanoke, VA (KROA)
- Gary
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Re: Replacement of rubber t-profile connecting wing and hull
How about using sailplane tape over the existing rubber seal to improve the water tightness?Kai wrote:For $94.95 it´s not really worth looking for alternative sources. But I also quite like the idea of using the sailplane tape. I am quite sure it looks even better and wrings out another 0.25 kts,Rick wrote:I replaced the wing root seals on our '04 back in 2010 during the annual. Looking at the invoice, the shop charged me $94.50 for the new seals (part number 1110762), and I did the work, so no labor charge. I'm sure they ordered the new T-seals from Diamond.
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Re: Replacement of rubber t-profile connecting wing and hull
It is glued (siliconed, really) above and below spars (if profile trimming was needed due to space available) and the ends are trimmed and siliconed in (otherwise they would flap in the wind). Top ends tend to stick to the root and not so much the wing when the tape gets older (since the wing portion flexes more)
Don't have the invoice for the tape handy, but labor was mine, so free
Don't have the invoice for the tape handy, but labor was mine, so free
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Re: Replacement of rubber t-profile connecting wing and hull
Here's a picture. You can see that the tape is torn near the trailing edge so it needs to be replaced. I think that the width of the gap might change with wing loading and I suspect that that, combined with brutally cold temperatures that may have made the tape brittle, is why it broke.
I'm not exactly sure what kind of tape my mechanic used but I'll try to find more flexible tape when I replace it the next time. And I'll leave a little extra material over the gap to allow it to flex more. That will leave a 1-2mm depression in the seam so shouldn't be too bad.
While you're at it, please take a few moments to admire my polishing job from this past weekend. You're looking at the original paint of a 1200-hr. 10-year old airplane that spent at least 5 years outside in the canadian winter.
I'm not exactly sure what kind of tape my mechanic used but I'll try to find more flexible tape when I replace it the next time. And I'll leave a little extra material over the gap to allow it to flex more. That will leave a 1-2mm depression in the seam so shouldn't be too bad.
While you're at it, please take a few moments to admire my polishing job from this past weekend. You're looking at the original paint of a 1200-hr. 10-year old airplane that spent at least 5 years outside in the canadian winter.
- Moonshine
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Re: Replacement of rubber t-profile connecting wing and hull
Great job on the polishing
I have a feeling that soon we'll be able to distinguish DAN members by polished airplanes
I have a feeling that soon we'll be able to distinguish DAN members by polished airplanes
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Re: Replacement of rubber t-profile connecting wing and hull
Does anyone know if there is a procedure anywhere for replacing this wing gap? I need to have mine replaced and have the part from diamond in now. I thought it would be a simple process but from this thread it looks like there may be quite a bit of labor involved.
Is there a specification for the glue/silicon to be used and is this applied on the full length or just at certain points/ends?
Is there a specification for the glue/silicon to be used and is this applied on the full length or just at certain points/ends?
- caseyayers
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Re: Replacement of rubber t-profile connecting wing and hull
I've noticed the surface of my rubber t-profiles is starting to wear down, but it doesn't necessarily need full replacement. Has anyone found a substance they use to condition the rubber and help extend its health/lifespan?
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Re: Replacement of rubber t-profile connecting wing and hull
I was wondering if sail plane tape would be permissible here. It's not as durable but would match the paint on the wings. Has anyone used it?
40.649 Sold (Still miss the DA40 from time to time)
Fly and EAB Sportsman
Fly and EAB Sportsman
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Re: Replacement of rubber t-profile connecting wing and hull
I used sailplane tape over that joint on my DA40 when I bought a roll to block one of the fresh air vents (an experiment in reducing the sound; a successful experiment). It kept the whole joint area and solution much cleaner and better looking.
I haven't yet done the same thing on my DA42.
I haven't yet done the same thing on my DA42.
Colin Summers, PP Multi-Engine IFR, ~3,000hrs
colin@mightycheese.com * send email rather than PM
http://www.flyingsummers.com
N972RD DA42 G1000 2.0 s/n 42.AC100 (sold!)
N971RD DA40 G1000 s/n 40.508 (traded)
colin@mightycheese.com * send email rather than PM
http://www.flyingsummers.com
N972RD DA42 G1000 2.0 s/n 42.AC100 (sold!)
N971RD DA40 G1000 s/n 40.508 (traded)