Broken step.

How to keep the Cessna 170 flying and airworthy.

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Aeroplane
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Broken step.

Post by Aeroplane »

Hey Bruce, how hard is it to remove the step from my 170A so I can take it to a weld shop for repair?
Louie Hanna ‘49 A model
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edbooth
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Re: Broken step.

Post by edbooth »

If you can find someone to do it, it can be welded right on the plane. Preferably gas welding. I'm assuming the short step part broke.
Ed Booth, 170-B and RV-7 Driver
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Bruce Fenstermacher
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Re: Broken step.

Post by Bruce Fenstermacher »

There is a bolt which goes down through the edge of your seat track. This bolt attaches the top. It is a joy to get a wrench on the nut under the floor. Then there are the rivets around the plate at the fuselage. Remove the bolt, drill the rivets and the step comes right out.
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I've welded mine right on the plane. I welded it better after I removed it from the plane. And if you are looking for tube of the oblong airfoil shape about the correct size and probably for free. look know farther than your junk bike pile.
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This is the fork I was saving to fix the other step.
CAUTION - My forum posts may be worth what you paid for them!

Bruce Fenstermacher, Past President, TIC170A
Email: brucefenster at gmail.com
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minton
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Re: Broken step.

Post by minton »

As Bruce sez, finding the correct tubing is hard as the "New " stuff is 4130 and differing dimensions. You might have to get two new ones that match made or go on line looking such as Barnstormers.com place an add.
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GAHorn
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Re: Broken step.

Post by GAHorn »

Another source: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/m ... ckkey=3505
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'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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MoonlightVFR
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Re: Broken step.

Post by MoonlightVFR »

So I am assuming that a phone call to Cessna or Cessna parts dealer would be to no avail in purchasing a new replacement step.

Is there any law that requires an aircraft manufacturer to provide replacement parts for a specified period of time?




Regards
gradyb, '54 B N2890C
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48RagwingPilot
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Re: Broken step.

Post by 48RagwingPilot »

IIRC both Atlee Dodge and McFarlane carry them new.
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DaveF
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Re: Broken step.

Post by DaveF »

bagarre
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Re: Broken step.

Post by bagarre »

That's one expensive step!
I could burn a whole lot of acetylene learning how to weld one myself for that price.
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daedaluscan
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Re: Broken step.

Post by daedaluscan »

TIG rocks.
Charlie

1956 170B C-GDRG #27019
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170C
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Re: Broken step.

Post by 170C »

Most metal supply firms carry tube like material that is very similair to that which our steps are made of. You could purchase sufficient stock and make your own. It would likely be stronger than what was on originally. "Owner Produced Parts"
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Joe Moilanen
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Re: Broken step.

Post by Joe Moilanen »

When mine broke I purchased the new tubing stock from Spruce as George posted. It is exactly the same tubing size. Mine broke part way up the long piece (not by the weld as they usually do) so I also bought a piece one size smaller that fit inside the standard new piece for strength. I drilled a couple of holes in the outer piece, rosette welded the holes, the splice, dressed it down and you can't tell the difference. It'll never break there again!

Joe
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johneeb
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Re: Broken step.

Post by johneeb »

Just adding some photos of one way the steps can break.
IMG_2336.jpg
IMG_2337.jpg
John E. Barrett
aka. Johneb

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ghostflyer
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Re: Broken step.

Post by ghostflyer »

I found mine had corroded internally and snapped at the r/h step weld. It broke when most of my weight was on it and it shredded my jeans and later a nasty infection on my leg which took 4 months to heal. Mc Farlane supplied a new one . Costly but a goodie
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GAHorn
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Re: Broken step.

Post by GAHorn »

ghostflyer wrote:I found mine had corroded internally and snapped at the r/h step weld. It broke when most of my weight was on it and it shredded my jeans and later a nasty infection on my leg which took 4 months to heal. Mc Farlane supplied a new one . Costly but a goodie
That’s something I think about each time I swing my fat self into the seat… worry about the step…and the doorpost-strap held by those little #10 screws into a rivnut…. depositing me onto the ramp with a gash in the leg and a concussion.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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