The Cessna 120-140 Association Forum

The rudder on my 1946 140 has two mounting hinges attached to the vertical fin. Each mounting hinge is attached to the vertical fin with four 3/16" bolts. The four bolts holding the upper hinge utilize caged nuts which are enclosed inside the vertical fin. Two of these caged nuts are missing, leaving only two bolts functional on the upper hinge. I would welcome feedback on repairing or accessing the caged nuts. May it be best to install an access plate in the side of the vertical fin to gain access to the nuts or possibly drill out the number of rivets needed to allow pulling back the vertical fin skin to gain access to the caged nuts for repair?

Can you get at it by removing the cap on the vertical fin? Reinstall with cherry locks.