Bungee Cord Bushing

[Frank Brunot]

I have a PA-24-180 coming up for annual. My mechanic asked me a question which I was unable to answer, nor is it in the Service manual, nor can a "Comanche mechanic" answer it. The question is: Should the bushing on the Bungee Arm (to which one end of the bungee cord wraps around) be able to turn?
In the Service manual, on page 1J2, it is item #4 (bungee pulley). In the Parts catalog, on pages 2A7-2A8, it is item #24, and referred to as a bushing. Also, it calls for 4 required; I only remember one on each side. Since there is a "true" pulley at the other end of the bungee cord, which would equalize any uneven stretch, my initial guess is the answer is NO (the bushing does NOT need to turn).

Any help would be appreciated, so that my mechanic can sleep at night!

[Kristin Winter]

The 18081-00 roller needs to be able to turn, particularly the one on installed on the arm. That bushing that goes through that roller is often over-torqued and expands, thus preventing the roller from turned. If the roller doesn't turn, the bungee may roll off during operation and you will find the bungee laying on bottom of the wing.