Install the main gear hardware.

The gear pad layup was first leveled without removing much glass and then the brackets were sanded with 240 on the bottoms and cleaned with prepsol.

The hardware used AN4-15A blots not the AN4-16A in the plans, Careful checking had showed that with 1 thin washer at the head and 1 thick, 1 thin at the nut end the correct amount of thread would be present, full shaft before thread would be in the brackets and there was no possibility of shanking. See pic for thread just beginning after the bracket.

Pure epoxy coating was used on hardware and in the holes with very wet flox on the glass pads.

50 foot lbs torque was used on the AN4’s. 50-70 is the range. 50 was plenty given we are tightening onto timber. Torque was rechecked after 30 minutes and then the assembly left to cure.

Prep gear area

Prepare all hardwear

Ensure no shanking