txaviator
Well Known Member
For those who have installed the stabilator, you well know how those pesky, tiny, thin washers will most likely fall off from the hinge points...the washers that Vans instructs you to temporarily attach with super glue? The concept of the glue is great, but I had no luck with them staying put during the installation. For those about to perform the stab installation, perhaps my tip will help when/if your glued washers fall off. My trick was to get the stabilator held into place by partially inserting the bolt/outside washer into each side. At least now the stabilator won't fall off. But the problem is access to the inside washers. There is VERY little room to slide the inside washers into place. Despite having most every kind of tool available (including a device made to hold washers), there is such little room to work with that the task seems impossible. The trick? Make your own washer holding device! I found an old manila file folder, cut a piece of it as shown, used an Xacto knife to cut around the perimeter of the washer, then super glued the washer to the manilla folder tool. Use a very bright flashlight so that you can see into the tiny workspace. Mark a few reference lines on the tool, against the washer. Once inserted into the hinge area, about the only thing I was able to see, were the reference lines. The idea is to get the washer somewhat slid into place, then use the reference lines to line up the hole in the washer as best you can, with the center of the bearing. Hold the washer in place, then push the bolt through the bearing, through your new washer, and up against the nutplate. Once you get a few threads of the bolt started into the nutplate, simply tear away the washer holding tool. Worked great for me.