The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Folks,

After listening to the buzz on axle replacements on the 170/A/B (and other models) we have decided to investigate developing an STC to allow use of Grove solid axles on the 170/170A/170B (and others) fleet. An STC would allow the proper replacement of the axle without the need for a field approval. What would be very helpful at this juncture is to get an OEM axle of the type installed on your ships. I need one each axle from the following:

170 (All 170 s/n or 170A s/n 18003-19219) with 5/16” holes (p/n 0441140) (I may have one of these committed. Waiting its arrival!...)
170A/B (170A s/n 19219-sub and 170B all s/n) with 5/16” & 3/8” holes (0541124)

The axle does not need to be airworthy. I will be pleased to pay shipment costs. Part does not need to be airworthy and confirmed to be an original installation to that s/n aircraft. Feel free to PM me.

Thanks,

Bill Goebel
Vintage Aircraft Services

What is a Grove Axle?


If this is a new product why would it be preferred over the established installed axle products?

You must have a strong passion to invest in a tiny market place.

entrepreneur?

I apologize for my prior post.

After having googled the term "grove axle" now know better

Feel like I was caught off base never made it back to first.

Grove is expending admirable effort to improve and support the C170 community.

The Bill Goebel? Welcome! George can't say enough of your craftsmanship. And if the pictures I've seen are any indication, it's praise well deserved. If George doesn't pay your membership, I think the association ought to give guys like you and Del Lehmann standing membership in exchange for allowing us neophytes to pick you brains on occasion. I'm sure there is a lot you could contribute to the Maintenance Library as well.

I've got two axles I'd be glad to send you. Here is a picture of them:The hollow one has a consistent bore; there is no step. It has two 3/8" and two 5/16" mounting holes which appear to be original. I believe this is p/n 0441140. However "The Cessna 170: Timeless Classic" book on pg. 81 shows this to be p/n 0541124. Could someone here clear up my confusion? The other axle is one you are not asking for. It is the ski axle, p/n 0541124-1, which appears to be nearly identical to Grove's p/n 5016. Is it this solid 2024-T3 aluminum axle you are thinking about getting the STC for? The consensus on this website is that the solid axle is the second best alternative to the hollow steel axle used on the C-180, p/n 1441003-1. According to S.L.N. 60 the solid aluminum axle is approved for all models of the 170 although some of the earlier ones would have to drill out the lower two mounting holes in the gear legs from 5/16" to 3/8". According to Jake Cessna has changed the alloy of the aluminum on these solid axles several times -- never been made of 2024-T3 though.

4517C wrote:The last time I checked the NTSB records 20 incidents had been reported involving 170 axle failures. Often the part number of the axle was not given in the report. However, even if the part number is given, that does not tell the complete story. Early axles, both hollow and solid, were machined from 2024-T4 aluminum bar. Later axles, with the same part numbers, were machined from 2014-T6 forgings and the last production of solid axles were machined from 7175-T14forgings. Interesting that Cessna continued to switch alloys. Jake

I don't understand why Grove does't just get a PMA for making a solid aluminum Cessna axle -- no STC would be needed. They could provide an affordable alternative to AirForms' steel and titanium PMAed axles.

n2582d wrote:If George doesn't pay your membership, I think the association ought to give guys like you and Del Lehmann standing membership in exchange for allowing us neophytes to pick you brains on occasion.

Seconded.

I wish I knew where Bill lived when I was spending time in DFW earlier this year. On second thought...perhaps it was better I didn't.