Guide tool and method for assembling radially loaded vane assembly of gas turbine engine

A guide tool for assembling a vane ring with a vane support of a vane assembly in a gas turbine engine, the vane support having radial-facing abutment surfaces, annularly disposed and circumferentially interspaced relative to the longitudinal axis, the vane ring having a plurality of resiliently flexible radial loading elements associated with corresponding ones of the abutment surfaces, the radial loading elements being at a first radial position when in an unflexed state, and being resiliently flexible to a second radial position defining a flexed state, said second radial position corresponding to a radial position of corresponding abutment surfaces of the vane support, the guide tool comprising:

• a plurality of arc-shaped tool segments circumferentially spaced apart and configured to be individually fastenable to and removable from the vane support by one or more guide tool fasteners disposed on each of the arc-shaped tool segments, each of said tool segments having a guiding surface extending between a first end and a second end thereof, the first end being attachable to the vane support into a guiding position wherein, in the guiding position, the second end extends away from the vane support and the guiding surface faces a radial direction and defines a lead-in taper between the second end and first end, the first end coinciding with a corresponding abutment surface of the vane support, the guide tool in the guiding position providing a plurality of lead-in tapers extending between the second radial position and the first radial position and associated with corresponding abutment surfaces.