Door Handle Plate Assembly?

[Tom Brookover]

I seem to have a screw loose... in the pilot side door handle assembly. I am re-upholstering the interior door side panels and, after absorbing the advise on this forum, succeeded in removing the handle (and side panel). Only to find this screw hanging loose. It has some metal on the threaded end that prevents it from pulling completely out, but it doesn't seem to go into anything on the door side of the assembly.

Anybody know what it is supposed to do, or even if it belongs there? I don't see it in the IPCs for either the 170 or 172, so I am really scratching my head now. Tempted to close it up as is but thought I'd better ask first.

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

There normally would be a pin in one of those holes with a cotter that holds it in. The pin stops the handle from being turned in the wrong direction and destroying the control arm that activates the latch.

[dstates]

In this shot from the 170B parts catalog it is item #22 which is a clevis pin AN394-27. Bruce is correct that it limits travel of the handle.

A2BC2AD9-C89C-4D1E-A4EE-A2B71866C6A4.jpeg

[Tom Brookover]

Thanks to you both. Looks like someone used the screw in lieu of the clevis pin at some point in the past. I'll bring this up to my A&P at the next chance.

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

If you don't have that pin in the correct hole, the control "rod", actually a flat strip of aluminum #49in the illustration, can be ripped in two cause the "rod' can be twisted on itself. If the pin is in the incorrect hole, you won't be able to open the door from the outside door handle.