ouch. screwed up the F840 pushrod (or whichever the big one is). i inserted one of the VA-101 end caps too far into the tubing. i didn't really notice until after i drilled the 8x retainer rivet holes. this happened when i was using the rubber mallet to insert the end cap. i primed both inside the pushtube and the outside of the end cap. this makes a really tight interference fit, so i was using a rubber mallet to tap the end cap in. very difficult to get the critical fit dimension. better idea would be to only prime one component at this interference to reduce the inserting friction.
SO, making a new pushrod. discouraging to re-make a relatively easy part at this stage of the build but it's the right thing to do. there is nothing structurally wrong with it, but the overall assembly length is shortened by about 1/4" and if the rod end bearings didn't have enough thread engagement later on during control system install, the pain would be worse then. also, probably don't need to work on critical parts at 3 in the morning.
