Posted for "John Barrett" <2thman@cablespeed.com>:

 Excessive wear is the very nature of aluminum in a hinge environment.  The
 wear is not on the pin, but rather on the inside diameter of the hinge
 itself.  Aluminum is a relatively soft material and it corrodes easily.
 Logically as the aluminum wears away on the inside diameter that houses the
 pin, you would conclude that the slop would increase over time.  Flutter is
 caused by unbalanced control surfaces.  I don't think loose pins would
 necessarily lead to flutter, but perhaps, if there is a minor imbalance,
 movement allowed between the control surface and airframe via a sloppy
 fitting hinge could move you closer to destructive flutter.
 
 Regards,
 
 John Barrett, CEO
 Barrett/Garrett Enterprises, Inc.
 PO Box 428
 Port Hadlock, WA 98339
 www.carbinge.com