I was not really too concerned about the latest Service Bulletin/AD since my 304CZ
was such a new glider and never abused or left out the weather, but I was so very
wrong! I had just received my CG release hardware and I ask my mechanic to do the
AD inspection at the same time. When the pushrod was removed, major damage was
discovered. About 4" up from the bottom of the pushrod, there was about a 1" spilt.
At some time, there had to be at least 3" of water in the bottom of the pushrod. This
water froze and ruptured out the side of the pushrod. A lot of rust/corrosion was removed
from the pushrod. This damage was not discovered during the initial inspection for
drain hole. The damage was located above a rib/bulkhead in the fin.
If you want to see pictures of the old pushrod, email me at

Randy
N304BU

Tulsa, OK

He notified me that I did not have the
required drain hole, so I ordered the kit and it was installed this morning. My
mechanic called me this afternoon to tell me that there was a major issue with
my original elevator pushrod. He said that from the amount of corrosion at the
bottom of the pushrod that there might have been at least 3" of water in it. At
some point in time, the water froze and ruptured the bottom of the pushrod. His
personal opinion is that the pushrod might have failed within a couple of years!
I am picking up my glider in the morning and will get pictures posted to very
soon. If it is truly as bad as my mechanic says it was, I would suggest that you
do not put off the inspection. The damage was not noticed during the original
inspection for the drain hole!