Discus 2 rudder stiff help please

On Monday, August 26, 2019 at 7:55:09 AM UTC-4, India November wrote:
The rudder on my D2b has become very stiff on its hinges during this season. I disconnected the cables at the rudder horn, and it's clear the problem is in the rudder not elsewhere in the control circuit. Removed mylar seals without effect. No visible damage to the rudder, and no foreign objects visible between rudder and fin. Before I remove the rudder, has anyone out there encountered a similar problem? Glider has 650hrs TT, always hangared.

Thanks in advance for all suggestions!
Ian IN

Thanks to all for helpful comments. I did start using an overboard relief system this season using the factory-installed tube. This is #1 suspect. Next step...take the rudder off with my AME's help.
Ian IN

On Monday, August 26, 2019 at 8:55:09 PM UTC-4, India November wrote:
On Monday, August 26, 2019 at 7:55:09 AM UTC-4, India November wrote:
The rudder on my D2b has become very stiff on its hinges...
...I did start using an overboard relief system this season using
the factory-installed tube. This is #1 suspect.

Ian, Obviously, you need a Mark VIII:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEJJb_ufo8A

Make sure you pull rudder, deal with any corrosion and bushing wear,
and for heavens sake use proper grease and not WD-40 when re-installing.

On Monday, August 26, 2019 at 5:55:09 AM UTC-6, India November wrote:
The rudder on my D2b has become very stiff on its hinges during this season. I disconnected the cables at the rudder horn, and it's clear the problem is in the rudder not elsewhere in the control circuit. Removed mylar seals without effect. No visible damage to the rudder, and no foreign objects visible between rudder and fin. Before I remove the rudder, has anyone out there encountered a similar problem? Glider has 650hrs TT, always hangared.

Thanks in advance for all suggestions!
Ian IN

If you are using the factory pee system, it will corrode the rudder horns. removing the rudder is easy as are the repairs and have been explained in other text. When you disconnect the rudder cables, be sure to attach a section of safety wire as the cables are spring loaded and may retract into the fus which will make retrieval of the cables difficult.

I had heard of corrosion issues from Dave Nadler et al and was closely watching the visible rudder horns and cable ends. I didn't imagine the internal parts could be affected first. We'll see when I get the rudder off. Good point about attaching safety wire. The cable ends retracted about 3 inches inside the fuselage when I removed the bolts.
Ian

On Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 8:17:45 AM UTC-4, India November wrote:
I had heard of corrosion issues from Dave Nadler et al...
I didn't imagine the internal parts could be affected...

Ian, internal corrosion is shown in the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEJJb_ufo8A

On Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 8:41:54 AM UTC-4, Dave Nadler wrote:
On Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 8:17:45 AM UTC-4, India November wrote:
I had heard of corrosion issues from Dave Nadler et al...
I didn't imagine the internal parts could be affected...

Ian, internal corrosion is shown in the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEJJb_ufo8A

With our ships relief tube system, we have the tube that extends approx. 18" out the bottom of the ship; when using I bank and try to keep about 30 degrees of slip on the yaw string, hoping to keep everything clear of the fuselage....

On Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 8:41:54 AM UTC-4, Dave Nadler wrote:
On Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 8:17:45 AM UTC-4, India November wrote:
I had heard of corrosion issues from Dave Nadler et al...
I didn't imagine the internal parts could be affected...

Ian, internal corrosion is shown in the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEJJb_ufo8A

Thanks Dave, yes I see you holding what looks suspiciously like a S-H rudder horn.

Better than that, bungee the rudder pedals back and relieve spring pressure and way easier to remove and replace the bolts holding the cables.

Better
Use string on the cable, when installing, pull string to position cable...drop in bolt....razor knife string.
No untying, unwinding, wires in the way.
Attach string first before removing bolt.
R

On Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 1:24:06 AM UTC-4, wrote:
When you disconnect the rudder cables, be sure to attach a section
of safety wire as the cables are spring loaded and may retract into
the fus which will make retrieval of the cables difficult.

Really now, don't go spoiling the entertainment value for onlookers...