Main Rib To Spar Mis-Drill

After disassembly of the horizontal stabilizer, I was able to better see the mis-drilling in the pictures for this log entry.

This turned out to be very disappointing.  As you can see on the main rib (HS-405, right side), one of the holes turned out to be double drilled.  The rib must have moved while I was match drilling.  I decided that this double hole would not adequately hold the rib to the spar after riveting.

The main rib (HS-405, left side) has the top hole very close to the edge of the flange.  I went back and measured the distance from the edge of the flange to the edge of the hole.  It was less than one hole diameter.  I decided that this tool was not a condition I wanted to leave in the final assembly.

Therefore, I ordered two new main ribs (HS-405), front spars (HS-702) and front spar reinforcement angle (HS-714) from Van's.  This replaces all the parts I felt needed replacement due to my drilling mistakes.

HorizontalStabilizer16

Additional Note:  You have to drill a relief notch in the front spars (HS-702).  If you don't read the print and Van's instructions carefully, you will end up with a notch(s) that look like these.  The front spars are made to fit both the RV-7 and the RV-8.  My first relief notch was at the end of the factory spar flange.  However, after reading the print closer, there is a little note called "STEP 1", which states to trim the spar flange back to the bend line...  HUH?!?!  Get out the ruler!!  Dang, is anything going to go right????  I just assumed that the bend line would be at the end of the flange.  I didn't even consider the fact that Van's is using this same part on multiple planes.  Won't make that mistake again, I hope.

HorizontalStabilizer20