nose bungee replacement concern

[Dick[_1_]]

Just replaced the nose bungee (1080HD) on my Zodiac 601HD and noticed
several things.

1) Previously the gap between the fork tube top stop plate and horizontal
firewall brace was under a quarter inch when new with a Continental 85.
Just after replacement, the gap is now 11/16" just as it was immediately
before replacement??

2) The vertical side of the old bungee in contact with the fork tube was
worn through the external cord and was showing signs of stretching.

I'm thinking just monitor the 11/16 measurement for growth indicating a
failing bungee and perhaps "insulating" the rub area of the bungee
somehow???

Thanks, Dick

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"Dick" > wrote in message
news:OV02h.3347$VX5.1186@trnddc05...
> Just replaced the nose bungee (1080HD) on my Zodiac 601HD and noticed
> several things.
>
> 1) Previously the gap between the fork tube top stop plate and horizontal
> firewall brace was under a quarter inch when new with a Continental 85.
> Just after replacement, the gap is now 11/16" just as it was immediately
> before replacement??
>
> 2) The vertical side of the old bungee in contact with the fork tube was
> worn through the external cord and was showing signs of stretching.
>
> I'm thinking just monitor the 11/16 measurement for growth indicating a
> failing bungee and perhaps "insulating" the rub area of the bungee
> somehow???
>
> Thanks, Dick
>

I'm still building my 601XL and I just recently installed the bungee and I
don't see how it can fail to wear. You don't mention how many hours you have
on your plane but I'd be interested to know. I think this is something that
is going to need to be checked way more often than during annual inspection.
May be X number of landings or some number of hours and whenever the cowling
is off.