Rudder - Piper Malibu Meridian PA-46-500TP Airplane Maintenance Manual

1. Rudder (See Figure 2, 55-00-00.)
CAUTION: CONTROL SURFACE SKINS MUST BE REPLACED IF THEY SUSTAIN DAMAGE OR
EXHIBIT CRACKS.
A. Removal
(1) Remove the aft fuselage access panel.
(2) Remove the rudder cables from the rudder sector or loosen them if the rudder sector is not to
be removed.
(3) Disconnect the sector from the rudder torque tube by removing three (3) bolts, nuts and
washers.
(4) If rudder sector is to be removed, remove the retaining nut, bolt and washers and remove
rudder sector.
(5) Support the rudder and remove the two sets of rudder hinge bolts, nuts and washers. Remove
the rudder from the airplane.
B. Installation
WARNING: IF THE RUDDER OR THE TRIM TAB HAS BEEN REPLACED OR REPAINTED, THEN
THE RUDDER MUST BE BALANCED BEFORE INSTALLATION PER BALANCING,
BELOW.
(1) Position the rudder on the airplane.
(2) Install the two sets of rudder hinge bolts. See 55-00-00, Figure 2, Sheet 1. Torque as specified.
(3) If previously removed, install the rudder sector, securing it with bolt, nut and washers. See 55-00-00,
Figure 2, Sheet 2, View A. Torque as specified.
(4) Attach the rudder sector to the rudder torque tube with three (3) bolts, nuts and washers. See
55-00-00, Figure 2, Sheet 2, View A. Torque as specified.
(5) If the rudder cabes were previously removed, attach rudder cables to the rudder sector.
(6) Check rigging and operation of rudder and rudder trim tab control system per 27-20-00,
Rudder Controls Rigging and Rudder Trim Control Rigging.
(7) Install the aft fuselage access panel.
C. Balancing (See Chart 1 and Figure 1.)
To balance the rudder, the assembly must be complete - including the trim tab, but without the trim
tab rods attached. Place the complete assembly horizontally on the knife edge support of a
balancer. Ensure that there are no drafts in the balancing room. Place the tool on the rudder with
the beam perpendicular to the hinge centerline. Calibrate the tool (see Balancing Equipment,
55-20-00). Read the scale when the bubble level has been centered by adjustment of the movable
weight and determine the static balance limit. If the static balance is not within the limits given,
proceed as follows:
(1) Nose Heavy: This condition is highly improbable: recheck calculations and measurements.
(2) Nose Light: In this case, the rudder is too heavy because of painting or repairs; it will be
necessary to strip the paint and repaint the rudder. If the rudder is too heavy as a result of
repairs, the repair must be removed and the damaged parts replaced.
6I5
PIPER AIRCRAFT, INC.
PA-46-500TP, MALIBU MERIDIAN
MAINTENANCE MANUAL

RUDDER

55-40-00
Apr 15/07
PAGE 1