Horizontal Stabilizer Boots

How to keep the Cessna 170 flying and airworthy.

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nippaero
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Horizontal Stabilizer Boots

Post by nippaero »

I would like to replace the rubber boots on my horizontal stabilizer. Does anyone know who is selling them nowdays?
1952 170B
N8180A s/n 25032
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wingnut
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Re: Horizontal Stabilizer Boots

Post by wingnut »

You can get the generic flat material several places. The only source I'm aware of for the extruded boots is Textron. Of course there may be vendor NOS sources as well. Just bought a pair for a 180K, $171 each.
S1938-3-68.00 picture.jpg
S1938-3-68.00.jpg
Del Lehmann
Mena, Arkansas
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nippaero
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Re: Horizontal Stabilizer Boots

Post by nippaero »

Thanks Del. A couple questions. Do you think the same part number fits the 170 HS? How long are they? What type of adhesive are you planning on using? My old ones are proving very difficult to remove. Whatever they used to glue them on has really help up over the years.
1952 170B
N8180A s/n 25032
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wingnut
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Re: Horizontal Stabilizer Boots

Post by wingnut »

Yes it fits a 170 stab, It is 68 inches long. Use 1300L adhesive per the instructions, just like installing a deice boot
Del Lehmann
Mena, Arkansas
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nippaero
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Re: Horizontal Stabilizer Boots

Post by nippaero »

Thanks Del. I will look into it.
1952 170B
N8180A s/n 25032
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nippaero
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Re: Horizontal Stabilizer Boots

Post by nippaero »

Guys, has anyone ever tried to remove the boots that were glued on? The paint stripper and Hostsy we are using doesn't seem to touch the old boots on my plane. I have no idea what they were glued on with. Any suggestions?
1952 170B
N8180A s/n 25032
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sfarringer
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Re: Horizontal Stabilizer Boots

Post by sfarringer »

I believe a heat gun helped me.
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bagarre
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Re: Horizontal Stabilizer Boots

Post by bagarre »

nippaero wrote:Guys, has anyone ever tried to remove the boots that were glued on? The paint stripper and Hostsy we are using doesn't seem to touch the old boots on my plane. I have no idea what they were glued on with. Any suggestions?
MEK will soften the adhesive and a plastic scraper for added encouragement.
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nippaero
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Re: Horizontal Stabilizer Boots

Post by nippaero »

Thanks David. I will try some MEK and more elbow grease as soon as the weather improves a little.
1952 170B
N8180A s/n 25032
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nippaero
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Re: Horizontal Stabilizer Boots

Post by nippaero »

Just wanted to close the loop on this. I was able to get the boots off after a lot of elbow grease. The MEK would not penetrate the rubber or the edges. I ended up using a heat gun and a putty knife to peel the rubber. It came off in small strips. Once the rubber was off I used MEK and a scotch brite pad to clean off the rubber adhesive. It took a lot of work but know we can proceed with prepping for paint.
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All clean
All clean
Rubber off
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1952 170B
N8180A s/n 25032
motoadve
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Re: Horizontal Stabilizer Boots

Post by motoadve »

wingnut wrote:You can get the generic flat material several places. The only source I'm aware of for the extruded boots is Textron. Of course there may be vendor NOS sources as well. Just bought a pair for a 180K, $171 each.
S1938-3-68.00 picture.jpg
S1938-3-68.00.jpg

Question, do they come in this shape or you are making the shape with your hand for the picture?
Does this has to be installed by a mechanic or the owner is ok to do it?
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GAHorn
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Re: Horizontal Stabilizer Boots

Post by GAHorn »

motoadve wrote:
wingnut wrote:You can get the generic flat material several places. The only source I'm aware of for the extruded boots is Textron. Of course there may be vendor NOS sources as well. Just bought a pair for a 180K, $171 each.
S1938-3-68.00 picture.jpg
S1938-3-68.00.jpg

Question, do they come in this shape or you are making the shape with your hand for the picture?
Does this has to be installed by a mechanic or the owner is ok to do it?
I’m going to “jump in” and suggest that although this looks sufficiently simple that a talented owner can accomplish the task... it does not fall under Preventive Maintenance and should be at least supervised/signed-off by an A&P. Although some types of leading edge tapes/boots claim no FAA approval is required, I would want as a minimum a “minor alteration” entry by an A&P if a non-Cessna part is used.

(I’m thinking of the WD Thompson (Cessna Test Pilot) story of how critical a minor alteration to the horiz stab leading edge on a particular airframe became and led to a stall/spin that was almost unrecoverable, which would encourage me to use only the Cessna PN.)

Page 27, FIg.14, Item 59, PN 0332136-4, Abrasion Boot is found in the 170-B IPC.
'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. ;)
motoadve
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Re: Horizontal Stabilizer Boots

Post by motoadve »

For the guys who installed the abrasion boots, what is the trick to make it look smooth on the round portion of the horizontal stab?
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GAHorn
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Re: Horizontal Stabilizer Boots

Post by GAHorn »

Nippaero, those leading edges look to be in very good condition. It’s my personal opinion that leading edge abrasion boots are an advisable “evil” only if you are operating on gravel or unimproved rocky surfaces. On ordinary turf or paved runways they are not helpful and they become an added maintenance requirement which can be avoided, obviating concerns about potentially altering leading edge aerodynamic shapes. (Minor leading edge alterations can be detrimental to in-flight handling.). I consider them a “band aid” I try to avoid, despite the fact that 80% of all my operations are from unpaved surfaces.
'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. ;)
motoadve
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Re: Horizontal Stabilizer Boots

Post by motoadve »

I am installing the Cessna part, which I think if it changed in-flight handling, it would have never been FAA certified.
Probably because of this certification is why I have to pay $350 for two pieces of rubber. 8O
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