Tail AD torque tube

[Michael Rath]

I talked to webco and torque tubes are back ordered and there is no date as to when they might be in. If you need one make sure you have it before you tear your tail apart.

MR

[md11flyer]

Michael, Put the old one back in and replace it in 5 years and get over to Oshkosh!

Cheers,
Gary

[Eric J Wick]

It is hard to know if you will need a new torque tube until you pull the tail apart. There is a Piper service bull. on the tube that after some study really says that no corrosion is allowed on the outside of the tube. So, do you really want to put the aircraft back together if there is corrosion that needs to be removed from the tube?
Also, I think that Piper is pulling a fast one in that the torque tube is not available by it self, only a kit. So far, it is a mystery, at least to me what is in the kit.

My situation is that the aircraft is apart, the horn was inspected and no cracks were found, the corrosion was removed from the torque tube, the torque tube does not meet the requirements of the Piper Service bulletin, the torque tube kit is nearly double the old price for the tube itself. I have a Australian horn in hand.

My aircraft was built in 1959 and this is the first time the tail has been taken apart and inspected, it took a lot of effort. In complying with the AD, it seems to me we are doing the right thing for the wrong reason.

I am posting this just to let folks know a bit more what to expect.