First thing for this evening was to remove the elevator pushrod. As I mentioned yesterday, I've seen this problem on other builder's websites and the solution from Van's is always the same...just file the bottom of the hole away to allow more clearance. That'll take a small bite out of the rear spar bar, so I'll do a good job of polishing it afterwards.

Here's the hole after filing and polishing. There should now be about 1/8 inch clearance below the pushrod.

I dabbed a little primer on the edge to cover where the filing and polishing exposed bare aluminum. I wonder how long it'll take for that to dry with the colder weather we've been having. Shrug.