Ever since I installed the HD gear on my supercub, I am having a problem with the bungees fraying I assume from prop blast. Anybody else experience this? The little pleather covers seem to get torn up pretty quick also...
Yup, me too! During the annual inspection, the left, upper portion was pretty well frayed. P/N 1280HD's. If you find a good price and who has them please forward that information along. And if you discover a preventative technique, that would be appreciated also.
Thanks
I had covers made from the same ripstop material they use for boat covers. This works well. Most all of the bungee fraying I have experienced seems to come more from poor installation.
Putting a wrap of foam rubber around the bungees to "fill out" the bungee cover will help to keep the cover from flapping itself to death. Maybe your covers are beating (and fraying) the bungees while killing themselves. Kinda like a murder/suicide?
I found a quite perceptible increase in drag with the snap on vynil bungee covers. The type I had flattened out in the front from the prop blast making the largest possible frontal plate area. So I ditched them and retrieved the old Piper aluminum ones from the trash. Tight fit over 1280 HD's (probably snug over all bungees), but faster. As far as drag, covering on the gear legs helps too.
I did notice quick wear from flapping of the vinyl in the short time they were on the plane too.
I used an old piece of leading edge material and formed it around in a tear drop shape and installed inside the bungee covers. It has worked well to keep the covers from wadding up. They always seem to crack and deteriorate in the wrinkles. I use a Bungee Master tool which stretches the whole bungee out and then bends it over. Doesn't fray like some of the other tools. Saran Wrap works good around the bungees when stretching them around. I will have to try the bees wax on PA12 and PA16 gear. Sounds like a good idea.
Just tried to install a set of bungees on my Pa22/20 and the 1080 went on fine but trying to install the 1280 had a near death experience when it shot up between the fitting and the tool I was using (Piper Tool). When this happened some of the shielding was frayed and I am hoping someone on here can tell how much if any fraying is allowed and still be serviceable?
If anyone is interested, I have a "Bungee Master" tool that I'm not using. Probably not for sale, but would consider renting for small fee plus shipping charges. Once you use this tool, you will never use any other method to mount bungees. Not only safe, but it puts even stretch on the bungees during mounting process.