Well this one step took at least 8 hours over several weeks of frustration!
Alignment of the motor to properly access the trim tab without taking out metal from the elevator skin OR bending the pushrod was the goal.
First try was accomplished after measuring and then remeasuring the assembled tab. Drilled and riveted. Nope. Pushrod would rub the skin.
Formed a new cover from scrap aluminum. Easy enough. With a cardboard model of the motor and pushrod I remeasured everything. Drilled and assembled. Nope. Ugh.
Formed a third cover. Repeat with all lessons learned. Riveted everything together. NAILED IT.
A month later I had the chance to view an RV7a that has been flying for years. Yea, I did better! But what a pain…