Cobra Top Hinge Bolt Failure - Revisit

On Tuesday, June 18, 2013 4:14:30 PM UTC-4, wrote:
Just thought I would report - I was able to fabricate some parts out of aluminum channel and steel channel based on Dave's design and document. Mine was done without welding since I am not a welder, but riveted to the side rail. An additional piece of aluminum sq tubing was added to the shell behind the side rail as piece of mind should the side rail want to twist. I am happy to report that after gradually torquing the jacking bolt, and shifting the top maybe 1/4 inch, the shell closes a lot better. I needed it more on one side than the other and this design helps addresses it well. I highly recommend this approach if you find the closing the trailer top is difficult on your fiberglass Cobra and see clear evidence of the top shifting fwd. It took me one week, couple hours each evening to fabricate the pieces and I'm not a machinist.



Darren

Very Nice ! Send me some pictures, lets get it on a web site somewhere...
Onwards to Hobbs !
See ya, Dave "YO electric"

Dave Nadler wrote, On 6/18/2013 2:18 PM:
On Tuesday, June 18, 2013 4:14:30 PM UTC-4, wrote:
Just thought I would report - I was able to fabricate some parts
out of aluminum channel and steel channel based on Dave's design
and document. Mine was done without welding since I am not a
welder, but riveted to the side rail. An additional piece of
aluminum sq tubing was added to the shell behind the side rail as
piece of mind should the side rail want to twist. I am happy to
report that after gradually torquing the jacking bolt, and shifting
the top maybe 1/4 inch, the shell closes a lot better. I needed it
more on one side than the other and this design helps addresses it
well. I highly recommend this approach if you find the closing the
trailer top is difficult on your fiberglass Cobra and see clear
evidence of the top shifting fwd. It took me one week, couple
hours each evening to fabricate the pieces and I'm not a
machinist.



Darren

Very Nice ! Send me some pictures, lets get it on a web site
somewhere... Onwards to Hobbs ! See ya, Dave "YO electric"

Yes, indeed. I want to see those pictures, too.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)
- "Transponders in Sailplanes - Feb/2010" also ADS-B, PCAS, Flarm
http://tinyurl.com/yb3xywl

I'll try to get some pics. One thing to add to the procedure, if it is not already mentioned, after shifting the trailer top, one must re-adjust the wing dolly "keepers" or restraints. You'll want to snug those up again so the wings remain constrained during transport.