Strut Cuffs

johneeb · Post by **johneeb** » Sat Sep 27, 2003 11:23 pm

Looking for information on strut cuff instellation on 1953 170B. My struts have large cone shaped exposed rivets which look to interfer with the cuff instellation. Thanks in advance for info.

Post by **Bruce Fenstermacher** » Sun Sep 28, 2003 1:46 am

I have them and don't remember the rivets interfearing but you will have to drill/cut a hole or slot for the tiedown loop to go through. You will also have to slit the back of the cuff so that you can slip it over the tiedown loop and on the strut or you will have to remove the loop in order to slide the cuff down to inspect under it.

My plane had them when I bought it and if it were painted under the cuffs I'd remove a discard them. I find them an extra pain at annual time.

I don't think they do anything for speed either.

Post by **GAHorn** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 8:33 pm

There were three methods of attaching the struts and their end-castings/forgings. Hi-Loc rivets (which you are describing), AN 426 rivets, and AN bolts. The AN bolts were only fitted to a few aircraft by the factory, although they are approved replacements for all the other aircraft.
Strut fairings were never original, and are point reductions during judgings, although some people like the more finished appearance. They are an additional expense when you buy them, when you install them, when you repair/maintain them, and when you annual the airplane because they must be removed for the inspection. They also contribute to corrosion because they encourage water retention.

funseventy · Post by **funseventy** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 9:00 pm

George,

That was a little gray. How do you really feel?

And by the way - DITTO - to gahorn's remarks, right on!

Kelly