Ventus B, Discus ect aileron connecting rod/slide lube

Hi folks, I'm in the process of installing new connecting rods in my Ventus B would like to know what everyone is using if any for the slide lube where those connecting rods like to ride. The material that the slide is made out of seems to be impervious to wear so that's good but the rods are wearing is there any thing you have found that will not collect dust and still give good wear resistance?

CH

At 15:26 01 February 2015, wrote:
Hi folks, I'm in the process of installing new connecting rods in my
Ventus=
B would like to know what everyone is using if any for the slide lube
wher=
e those connecting rods like to ride. The material that the slide is made
o=
ut of seems to be impervious to wear so that's good but the rods are
wearin=
g is there any thing you have found that will not collect dust and still
gi=
ve good wear resistance?

CH

This is beyond pilot maintenance in EASA but 10 years or more back I had a

discus b and while the seat pan was out I decided to lub the control rod
where it passed though a white block on the starboard side .
It was a disaster,the block was nylon and it reacted to the while grease
(Vaseline) by swelling and making the controls stiff.
The Answer of course was to clean all the grease off clean the bore and we

used dry Ptfe but the real solution was not to have lubed in the first
place .
So I hope you get some sensible answers here but if you don't ask the agent

or if that fails the factory,they have always been helpful to me.

Believe those push-rod guides should be kept completely dry. I have seen ware at the guides caused by the push-rod banging around in the trailer. I know the LS-3a has this problem and it is best to tape the push-rod to the aft lift fitting before trailering (use the wing tape you just pulled off). Don't believe this applies to automatic control hook ups, unless you have an A model which have manual hook-ups on the ailerons.
Go Patriots!!!!
JJ

Search "ventus aileron stiff" and find Dick Jonson's thoughts on the subject, he used 2 drops of WD-40 yearly in a hole he drilled to access the problem area. He also talked about sanding the aileron gap between wing skin and aileron...............all good stuff!
RIP Dick,
JJ

At 15:26 01 February 2015, wrote:
Hi folks, I'm in the process of installing new connecting rods in my
Ventus=
B would like to know what everyone is using if any for the slide lube
wher=
e those connecting rods like to ride. The material that the slide is made
o=
ut of seems to be impervious to wear so that's good but the rods are
wearin=
g is there any thing you have found that will not collect dust and still
gi=
ve good wear resistance?

CH

If Schempp Hirth thought that the rods needed a lubricate I am sure they
would have mentioned it in the service manual or instructions for replacing
the rods. I do not believe that they forgot and it is perfectly clear that
they intended that the rods should be as they originally assembled them,
lubricant free. Does that give you a clue at all on what should be used?

On Monday, February 2, 2015 at 3:00:05 PM UTC-5, Don Johnstone wrote:
At 15:26 01 February 2015, wrote:
Hi folks, I'm in the process of installing new connecting rods in my
Ventus=
B would like to know what everyone is using if any for the slide lube
wher=
e those connecting rods like to ride. The material that the slide is made
o=
ut of seems to be impervious to wear so that's good but the rods are
wearin=
g is there any thing you have found that will not collect dust and still
gi=
ve good wear resistance?

CH

If Schempp Hirth thought that the rods needed a lubricate I am sure they
would have mentioned it in the service manual or instructions for replacing
the rods. I do not believe that they forgot and it is perfectly clear that
they intended that the rods should be as they originally assembled them,
lubricant free. Does that give you a clue at all on what should be used?

I own a Ventus and I have mine lubed at the annual, I have the openings in the wing like Dick Johnson suggested. If Schempp Hirth didn't want this to be lubed then they would have used a different bushing when they made the glider. All gliders have short comings. The glider has been flown over 30 years and like all popular gliders over time, pilots find ways of addressing imperfections and every glider has some.

Dennis

I would suggest not lubricating any kind of plastic bearing. Dust will stick to the lubricant and increase wear. Depending on the lubricant used the plastic may also start swelling. You can easily make thinks a lot worse by wrong lubrication. Keeping the bearing clean and the pushroad polished is probably the best approach. If you want to use a lubricant then maybe a thin film of something on a silicon or teflon basis would be good. In any case make sure the lube is compatible to the sleeve material and will not cause swelling.

At 23:52 02 February 2015, HGXC wrote:
On Monday, February 2, 2015 at 3:00:05 PM UTC-5, Don Johnstone wrote:
At 15:26 01 February 2015, wrote:
Hi folks, I'm in the process of installing new connecting rods in my
Ventus=3D
B would like to know what everyone is using if any for the slide lube
wher=3D
e those connecting rods like to ride. The material that the slide is
mad=
e
o=3D
ut of seems to be impervious to wear so that's good but the rods are
wearin=3D
g is there any thing you have found that will not collect dust and
still
gi=3D
ve good wear resistance?

CH
=20
If Schempp Hirth thought that the rods needed a lubricate I am sure
they
would have mentioned it in the service manual or instructions for
replaci=
ng
the rods. I do not believe that they forgot and it is perfectly clear
tha=
t
they intended that the rods should be as they originally assembled
them,
lubricant free. Does that give you a clue at all on what should be
used?

I own a Ventus and I have mine lubed at the annual, I have the openings
in
=
the wing like Dick Johnson suggested. If Schempp Hirth didn't want this
to
=
be lubed then they would have used a different bushing when they made the
g=
lider. All gliders have short comings. The glider has been flown over 30
ye=
ars and like all popular gliders over time, pilots find ways of
addressing
=
imperfections and every glider has some.

Dennis

Why is it that some glider pilots feel they know better that the qualified
engineers and designers who design and build the machines they fly. Maybe
using an unapproved lubricant on material that you do not know the
composition of, which might be damaged is unwise but drilling a hole in the
structure to do it, that is stupidity of the highest order, such is life I
suppose. I doubt that the "opening" made was properly sealed to unsure that
moisture could not damage the GRP structure which is hygroscopic, my
advice. Do NOT purchase a glider owned by these people.
It is true pilots have a long history of finding incorrect ways of
addressing imperfections, proves the old maxim I suppose, if flying was
difficult engineers would do it.

At 12:31 03 February 2015, Don Johnstone wrote:
At 23:52 02 February 2015, HGXC wrote:
On Monday, February 2, 2015 at 3:00:05 PM UTC-5, Don
Johnstone wrote:
At 15:26 01 February 2015, wrote:
Hi folks, I'm in the process of installing new connecting rods
in my
Ventus=3D
B would like to know what everyone is using if any for the
slide lube
wher=3D
e those connecting rods like to ride. The material that the
slide is
mad=
e
o=3D
ut of seems to be impervious to wear so that's good but the
rods are
wearin=3D
g is there any thing you have found that will not collect dust
an
still
gi=3D
ve good wear resistance?

CH
=20
If Schempp Hirth thought that the rods needed a lubricate I
am sur
they
would have mentioned it in the service manual or instructions
for
replaci=
ng
the rods. I do not believe that they forgot and it is perfectly
clear
tha=
t
they intended that the rods should be as they originally
assemble
them,
lubricant free. Does that give you a clue at all on what should
b
used?

I own a Ventus and I have mine lubed at the annual, I have the
opening
in
=
the wing like Dick Johnson suggested. If Schempp Hirth didn't
want thi
to
=
be lubed then they would have used a different bushing when
they made the
g=
lider. All gliders have short comings. The glider has been flown
over 30
ye=
ars and like all popular gliders over time, pilots find ways o
addressing
=
imperfections and every glider has some.

Dennis

Why is it that some glider pilots feel they know better that the
qualifie
engineers and designers who design and build the machines they
fly. Mayb
using an unapproved lubricant on material that you do not know th
composition of, which might be damaged is unwise but drilling a
hole in th
structure to do it, that is stupidity of the highest order, such is life
suppose. I doubt that the "opening" made was properly sealed to
unsure tha
moisture could not damage the GRP structure which is
hygroscopic, m
advice. Do NOT purchase a glider owned by these people.
It is true pilots have a long history of finding incorrect ways o
addressing imperfections, proves the old maxim I suppose, if flying
wa
difficult engineers would do it.

I recall corresponding with a pilot who wanted to move forward the
C of G of his GRP glider and found that there was some lead
attached to the leading edge of the rudder. He didn't know why it
was there so he removed it. Next he planned to cut holes in the
rudder and cover them with fabric. I told him that it was the mass
balance and warned him about flutter but he replied that it was OK
as the glider was "Experimental".

John Galloway

On 2/3/2015 5:31 AM, Don Johnstone wrote:
At 23:52 02 February 2015, HGXC wrote:
On Monday, February 2, 2015 at 3:00:05 PM UTC-5, Don Johnstone wrote:
At 15:26 01 February 2015, wrote:

Some judicious snippage...

I own a Ventus and I have mine lubed at the annual, I have the openings
in
=
the wing like Dick Johnson suggested. If Schempp Hirth didn't want this
to
=
be lubed then they would have used a different bushing when they made the
g=
lider. All gliders have short comings. The glider has been flown over 30
ye=
ars and like all popular gliders over time, pilots find ways of
addressing
=
imperfections and every glider has some.

Dennis

Why is it that some glider pilots feel they know better that the qualified
engineers and designers who design and build the machines they fly. Maybe
using an unapproved lubricant on material that you do not know the
composition of, which might be damaged is unwise but drilling a hole in the
structure to do it, that is stupidity of the highest order, such is life I
suppose. I doubt that the "opening" made was properly sealed to unsure that
moisture could not damage the GRP structure which is hygroscopic, my
advice. Do NOT purchase a glider owned by these people.
It is true pilots have a long history of finding incorrect ways of
addressing imperfections, proves the old maxim I suppose, if flying was
difficult engineers would do it.


Evidently, the original question touched upon "a topic of religion." One
church believes that gliders as-received from manufacturers cannot possibly be
improved by mere humanity unassociated with the original design process (and
to attempt improvement places one in the category of the devil's spawn). The
other church believes that use-/age-related issues will inevitably appear, and
might (if not should) be reasonably addressed by subsequent owners. True - at
least in the U.S. - for sailplanes licensed with (see below) an Approved Type
Certificate or licensed Experimentally.

In my view, there's sound reasons for both views, and in an ideal world, both
can peacefully co-exist. Full disclosu I'm a(n aerospace) degreed
(U.S.-based) engineer, but one who's convinced original designers were NOT
(all apply): all-knowing; incompetent. In other words, designers and the
design team are humans like the rest of us, though with (perhaps) some
specialized training, and (definitely) some specialized interests...again
normal human conditions.

The U.S. is fortunate to have a healthy, vibrant, amateur-built aircraft
licensing category, from which - perhaps - some cogent conclusions about this
particular religious topic may be drawn. As I type, approximately 20% of the
U.S. power, single-engine, 4-or-less seats general aviation fleet is licensed
"Experimental Amateur Built" (a presently increasing proportion), the rest
having Approved Type Certificates. Taken as a whole, the EAB category accident
frequency is (statistically and) significantly higher than the ATC category as
measured against fleet/licensing numbers. Unsurprisingly (in my view) the
percentages have a significant first-/early-flight bias (for engine/fuel and
loss of control reasons, mostly); thoughtful readers can probably make
accurate guesses why (an exercise and validation beyond the point I'm trying
to make with this post). Once beyond that bubble, EAB and ATC accident rates
are (arguably) identical. I expect (but am not certain) accident *causes* are
similar as well (when comparing similar classes of pilots/flight, e.g. Visual
Flight Rules piloting).

My conclusions:
1) "Sound airplane design practices" are not limited solely to factories and
their design teams.
2) The weakest link is generally the nut at the top of the stick.

Stated another way, pretty much every form of human design screwup/oversight
possible in general aviation flying machines (e.g. sailplanes) has been made
long, long ago, and "best practices" are pretty much available (and arguably
well known) to anyone inclined to learn from others' experiences. We're well
beyond the "secret guild stage" of aircraft structural design knowledge, and
the "smoke and mirrors" of ignorance-based myths.

That knowledge availability, along with the tendency of those geekily inclined
(most engineers, and many non-degreed people as well) is why I'm OK with
belonging to the Church of Future Improvement is Possible.

On the other hand, the World Wide Web has made it easier for everyone (e.g.
via YouTube) to easily see that Darwinism remains a potent human genealogical
force. Ignorance is potent, often more quickly than knowledge. Hence I'd never
try to convince members of the Church of Don't Mess With Factory Stuff to
change their beliefs.

Clint Eastwood was right: A man's got to know his limitations.

Further, who hasn't heard the truism: All generalizations are
false...including this one. In my view, there's at least one truism that is
NOT false: Perfection is never an option.

True in glider design, too. The trick is to know - or at lest to remain within
- one's limitations.

YMWV
Bob W.

P.S. I believe Dick Johnson was a degreed aeronautical engineer. His entire
working life was spent in the engineering field, and his extracurricular
soaring-and-sailplane-design-and-testing-related body of work was prodigious.
He likely passed on from heart failure in his mid-eighties while flying the
Ventus he owned for decades - the one in which he drilled lube access holes.
Make of all that what works for yourself!