Rudder pedal spring snapped
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- Charles
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Rudder pedal spring snapped
Just after taking off IFR at night from KBTV yesterday, I felt something snap in the rudder pedals and the plane yawed in a strange way. I was able to correct using unusual rudder input during the climb and I had to keep a little left rudder to continue to fly straight in cruise.
I was wondering during the flight whether one of my 4-year old rudder cables had ruptured prematurely, but since I could still fully control yaw, that didn't make sense. Finally, I found out on the ground that one of the rudder pedal springs, the one attached to the left pedal on the pilot side, had snapped. Anyone ever experience that?
I guess that's going to be another one of those outrageously expensive simple parts...
I was wondering during the flight whether one of my 4-year old rudder cables had ruptured prematurely, but since I could still fully control yaw, that didn't make sense. Finally, I found out on the ground that one of the rudder pedal springs, the one attached to the left pedal on the pilot side, had snapped. Anyone ever experience that?
I guess that's going to be another one of those outrageously expensive simple parts...
- Colin
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Re: Rudder pedal spring snapped
I have never had that (or seen that happen). I did just recently lose the cable that adjusts the rudder pedals front to back. It started fraying and then it was just gone in a week.
Colin Summers, PP Multi-Engine IFR, ~3,000hrs
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Re: Rudder pedal spring snapped
Did the spring actually snap, or did the hook that the spring is attached to at the pedal slide out and let the spring go?
I had the later happen last week. Somehow the hook that is attached to the pedal worked itself out and let the spring go. It was a real joy to get back in place. The tension on the hook via the spring apparently holds everything in place. So far everything is working fine.
I had the later happen last week. Somehow the hook that is attached to the pedal worked itself out and let the spring go. It was a real joy to get back in place. The tension on the hook via the spring apparently holds everything in place. So far everything is working fine.
- Charles
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Re: Rudder pedal spring snapped
It seemed broken when I looked at it but it was dark so maybe it just came unhooked. I'll check again.
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Re: Rudder pedal spring snapped
You may find on the floor a "U" shaped stainless steel piece approximately 3/8" in diameter.
That is what I found. Look at the opposite foot pedal and you will see how it's installed.
On my plane the spring was somehow dislocated, it did not break. I used long neck needle nose pliers
to reinstall the spring and hook. It was a lot of trial and error. I finally got it to work.
The install difficulty factor is somewhere along the lines of replacing rudder cables. Not quite as long but just as frustrating.
There are two holes the two prongs fit into. Again, look at what the opposite pedal looks like.
That is what I found. Look at the opposite foot pedal and you will see how it's installed.
On my plane the spring was somehow dislocated, it did not break. I used long neck needle nose pliers
to reinstall the spring and hook. It was a lot of trial and error. I finally got it to work.
The install difficulty factor is somewhere along the lines of replacing rudder cables. Not quite as long but just as frustrating.
There are two holes the two prongs fit into. Again, look at what the opposite pedal looks like.
- Charles
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Re: Rudder pedal spring snapped
Thanks Tommy, I'll head out to the airport this week to check this out.
This site is fantastic!
This site is fantastic!
- krellis
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Re: Rudder pedal spring snapped
One of the springs on the rudder pedals of our DA-40 XLS broke a year or so ago. I think it's actually a brake pedal return spring and the IPC lists the part number as MS24586-C207. I sourced one from the local Diamond Service Center, only to discover that that part does not fit the electrically adjustable pedals. We then got the correct part from Premier through Diamond Canada. I'll research today and get the part number and pricing. I recall that the part was quite a bit more than the MS part number spring, but it was not outrageously expensive and the shipping was way more than the part. If you have the manually adjustable pedals, I believe the above listed spring should work for you.
Krea Ellis
N853DF DA-20-A1
N616ML DA-40 XLS
Krea Ellis
N853DF DA-20-A1
N616ML DA-40 XLS
- Charles
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Re: Rudder pedal spring snapped
Sadly, it snapped in the coiled part. I believe there's a little bit of corrosion on the spring near where it failed:Tommy wrote:Did the spring actually snap, or did the hook that the spring is attached to at the pedal slide out and let the spring go?
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Re: Rudder pedal spring snapped
It could have worn through the spring. I have a wear pattern on my spring.
It hasn't let go yet. I'll replace when it does. You still should be able to replace the spring yourself.
It's just a pain.
It hasn't let go yet. I'll replace when it does. You still should be able to replace the spring yourself.
It's just a pain.
- Rick
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Re: Rudder pedal spring snapped
Hey guys, I have now joined the Broken Spring Club. I have the electric rudder pedals - can anyone confirm if the MS24586-C207 part is correct or not? If not, what is the correct part number? My broken spring looks similar to the picture Charles posted, but maybe not quite as long - I count 28 turns in the picture, but my spring only has 23 turns.
I have an email in to the Diamond parts department, but they are on holiday this week...
Thanks!
I have an email in to the Diamond parts department, but they are on holiday this week...
Thanks!
Roanoke, VA (KROA)