Replacing Ribs

[micaso]

What alloy are the ribs made from? The same as the exterior? In my case, from 1963, the 2023T3 alcad is the exterior. I have two dents that bashed two lower horizontal ribs pretty good. I'd like to make new ribs, and cheaper is better (it does not need to be shiny). BUT, I don't want different alloys to react.

[Melody Ranch]

The different alloys won't react. 5052 will be a common replacement...any aluminum which will take the bending from a break. The best and fastest thing to do is go to your local sheet metal company...heating and cooling duct makers....and have them bend up a couple 2 inch channels.....or what ever size you need. Overall, it's not a big deal..don't make it one. Your outer skin panel and leak control is now your area of concern.

[robwok]

would 2" channel be better than z strips? I'm guessing it would be stronger, but you just can't buck rivet a square tube, and if you used "U" channel, you cant attach on the inside. Be aware, you'll need to use Olympic rivets with your ribs.

[robwok]

CRL Satin Anodized ''Z'' Bar Aluminum Channel - 12 ft Long - Rakuten.com

You can do a search for aluminum z bar extrusion. I also know that I got some shorter curved pieces from Out of Doors Mart in North Carolina. You may be able to get a rib piece from Inland RV in California. The other option is possibly to bend it back out. If you get access to the area by removing the skins, get a heavy steel channel or I beam. then, block it at both ends, then slowly draw the dent to the channel with a large "C" clamp.

[mimiandrews]

You can buck a rivet inside a U-shaped rib with an offset bucking bar. It's done all the time in aircraft work. Check Aircraft Spruce and Specialty's website for the bar.

[Melody Ranch]

Why are you even considering bucking a repair? All my Vintage Airstreams have C channel ribs....what is meant by you can't attach to the inside? I think your have the channel mentally placed sideways.

[J. Morgan]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

The different alloys won't react. 5052 will be a common replacement...any aluminum which will take the bending from a break. The best and fastest thing to do is go to your local sheet metal company...heating and cooling duct makers....and have them bend up a couple 2 inch channels.....or what ever size you need. Overall, it's not a big deal..don't make it one. Your outer skin panel and leak control is now your area of concern.

Ditto.


Brevi tempore!

[micaso]

Thank you all! I hadn't thought to go to a heating/cooling store and was trying to figure out how to the bending myself. Breaks are expensive. WAY easier to ask the people who installed my furnace recently--I'm even a semi-recent customer.

[HiJoeSilver]

Originally Posted by micaso

What alloy are the ribs made from? The same as the exterior? In my case, from 1963, the 2023T3 alcad is the exterior. I have two dents that bashed two lower horizontal ribs pretty good. I'd like to make new ribs, and cheaper is better (it does not need to be shiny). BUT, I don't want different alloys to react.

Just to clarify. These are horizontal ribs between the main vertical ribs right?

[micaso]

Yep, just the horizontal ones. The vertical ribs are, mercifully, in good condition.

[rubysails]

anyone have any suggestions on the vertical ribs? how to bend a c channel like that

[Aerowood]

How long of a piece do you need?

[islandtrader]

Originally Posted by mimiandrews

You can buck a rivet inside a U-shaped rib with an offset bucking bar. It's done all the time in aircraft work. Check Aircraft Spruce and Specialty's website for the bar.

Go to ebay and you will find any shape and size that you can imagine .

[Aerowood]

The vertical ribs have a radius bend to them. If the a small section is needed then they can be fabricated from three pieces. Longer pieces can also be fabricated or a shop with some the correct roller dies on some specialized equipment can help you out.