I give up... control wheels

[Iceman07]

I have searched this forum, googled till the cows come home, and the only thing I can find is:

http://www.avion.com/Products/AvionCont ... trlWh.html

I don't like my current control wheels, but come on... almost a thousand bucks?

Anyone have any other suggestions? (Like going back to the vintage wheels?)

Thanks
Rich

(OBTW - 5740C is finally back in the air. So far, I've got about 3.5 hours on the Penn Yan MHO. So far, so good)

[Kyle Wolfe]

How about having your current ones re-done?

http://www.cessna170.org/forums/viewtop ... f=2&t=3045

[Iceman07]

How about having your current ones re-done?

http://www.cessna170.org/forums/viewtop ... f=2&t=3045

The ones I have now are some funky-arsed ones. Not even close to original. My guess is they are "home-builder" yokes. I'd love to go back to originals, are they even available?

[N171TD]

I refinished my yokes and shafts a few months ago. Stripped the paint on the yokes and had them powder coated, had the shafts rechromed. Total cost about $100. Have an extra set if you care to PM me.

[blueldr]

I am also not a fan of the originl C-170B control wheels, and have long ago installed a pair of later model C-172 "Rams Horn" type wheels which I really like.
I still have the original wheels some place around the hangar and, if anyone is looking for originality I'd be delighted to trade them for a different pair.

[GAHorn]

So... what'd you REALLY prefer to have in the cockpit, BluElder?

[doug8082a]

Rich,

Control wheels, whether original 170 or any other type, can generally be found in salvage yards, e-auctions, or from some association members who are willing to sell. They are certainly available. As for refinishing, as other have mentioned stripping and repainting them, along with rechroming the shafts, is a very workable solution for not much money.

[Zreyn]

Don't have originals but had my ram horns painted 10 yrs ago & they still look brand new. Also replaced the very rusty shafts with thick wall stainless & buffed them up real nice ,they still look like the day I put them in & yhey will never rust again.

[Curtis Brown]

Seriously. Where can I get my yokes shafts rechromed.

[doug8082a]

Any place that does chrome work can chrome them they just have to have the capability to bake them @ 350 deg for 3-4 hours to remove excess hydrogen (re: hydrogen embrittlement) which is a by product of the chroming process. I had mine done at a relatively local chrome shop that specializes in antique car/boat restoration. They have done aircraft work as well and knew about the need to bake them and could do so.

[amacbean]

I also need some control wheels. I have uncertified yokes on now that need to be replaced. I'm not a huge fan of the original ones, but if anyone has some for sale I might be interested. What is everyone else using - that's legal? I'm in a bit of a hurry, so thanks in advance!

[barry miller]

Here is what I have done. Instead of spending $250 per wheel for the original style rose coating. I believe the company was in Oklahoma (advertised in Trade a Plane). I simply cleaned them up removing all the old stuff and painted with epoxy. While I was at it, I drilled the center of the mount with 1/4 inch hole and inserted a micro switch for my push to talk. It makes a great arm chair control and one handed operation on the original yokes and puts the wiring out of sight and under the panel.

[blueldr]

If anyone really wants a set of original control wheels, I have a set up in my hangar and would be delighted to sell them.

Call me at (916) 635-5566 7 to 10 AM or 6 t0 10 PM Pacific Time.

Dick Lemmon

[amacbean]

I might take you up on that - we're trying to field approve the currant ones on the airplane. My guess is it won't work and I'll need to replace them.

[GAHorn]

Do not drill or otherwise modify your original yokes unless you are willing to risk their condemnation by an FAA type. Such mods require a basis of approval as do replacement yokes of any pedigree.

I guess it's a personal thing, but I don't understand why folks don't like the original yokes if they like the original tails. It's a period-style thing. I'd never like a 1930 Cord roadster with a 1959 Chevy steering wheel.