As seen previously, the rudder cable runs directly above the flap weldment and pushrods. The plans call for the flap pushrod bolts to be inserted from the outboard side facing inward, putting the bolt head between the weldment and skin. Apparently this is to reduce the chances of having the rudder cables get hung up on the flap mechanism. This is a fine idea, but it's also annoying and impractical as it requires the entire flap weldment to be removed in order to remove or reinstall these bolts. Here I have the bolts temporarily installed facing the opposite direction, which is much easier:
Rather than accepting this state of affairs, I decided to solve the root problem more definitively by making a pair of rudder cable guards out of 0.020" scrap:
The cable guards are riveted to the inside of the flanges of the F-722 horizontal ribs, and will prevent the rudder cables from ever getting tangled with any part of the flap mechanism. They will eventually be hidden behind the F-749 baggage side covers:
Under normal circumstances the rudder cables are in tension, and will pass through the cable guards without touching. However, when the airplane is parked, it's possible for the cables to sag a bit. Just for a little bit of extra protection, I added some plastic cable covers from the local boat supply store. Now even if the rudder moves in the wind, the cables won't rub directly on aluminum:
Just one of a million little projects that have to get finished, before the Project can get Finished…