C170, rear seat removal/installation !!

[Alan]

I have been maintaining my 52 170B for 15 years now. Every year the requirement to remove back seat for annual
or 100 hour inspection purposes is driving me crazy, not to mention the risk of scratching paint and perforating and breaking aft windows--again-- !! Can it be only me ?

I have been in contact with member "Bill" in Alaska, a 170 owner, and he mentioned there may be some 170 association information available for doing this task another way. That way is to replace the seat back bolts that mount it to the seat bottom with suitable clevis pins which in turn are retained simple lynch pins. Removing and installing the seat in two sections and installling same way is made muchg simpler.

If any information is available I would very much appreciate advice and guidance and hardware used etc...

Thanks for helping me go nuts again !1

Regards

Alan
#6481
CF-FVD
alan.acleod@sympatico.ca

[DaveF]

Here you go, lots to choose from.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-quick ... ns/=rz8qoi

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Alan, you are not alone. The key in my mind and experience is splitting the back of the seat from the bottom. The job becomes much more manageable. After splitting the seat, removing one arm rest at the least makes removal of the bottom easier.

You have already described how most of us accomplish splitting the seat by replacing the bolts with clevis and linch pins. In order to do this you need to have access behind the upholstery in the lower seat back corners in the back of the seat. On my first 170 the back of the seat had a cover and this access was nothing more than a few cut stitches so a finger or two could get in. My current 170 seat back has no back cover so removing the bolt and inserting the pin is easy.

Removing the seat back is as simple as pulling the linch pins with a needle nose then sliding the pin in and the back is off. It is so easy you actually need to take care you maneuver the seat back out without hitting something. What I'm saying is the job is so much easier but some care still needs to take place.

I have also seen suitable length drilled AN bolts with a linch pin rather than a clevis pin.

[Alan]

Bruce:
Dave:
Thanks for both reply and the valuable information. I have the seat removed as of this morning---and it will be the last time we struggle doing it that way ! It will be re-installed in two sections !!

I can't imagine how much mumbling and groaning over the years I did with that seat. All the time the answer was at my fingertips.

Thanks again for your info and assistance.

Alan

[bagarre]

This would make a great little STC if someone wanted to take the time.
I replaced mine with pins a few years ago and now, rear seat removal is almost simple

[C170U2]

Wow, great advice. I have wrestled mine around a few times and what a pain. I guess it's off to the hardware store today!

[n3833v]

I have the pin extended so I don't have to reach so far to the frame to enter the pin. I also have clip pins to hold .

John

[GAHorn]

In another thread I posted a pic of how I did mine with a pin:

http://www.cessna170.org/forums/viewtop ... +seat+back

Here is the pic:

[Alan]

Thanks George:
I will plan to use this pin and as soon as I have them the job will finally be done.

Thanks to all who offered advice and experience.

Alan
CF-FVD
# 6481