The International Cessna^® 170 Association

IS the part number 0510171-1 the correct ratchet part number for my 170A? I have searched the forums, but could not tell for sure. My parts manual omits that part for some reason.

Hello again. (I've already answered your PM about this....check your inbox.) The A and B models are somewhat different in those parts and do not share the same parts, although the operation of the latch is approximately the same. Look at your IPC for the A-model and view Fig 18, item 37, PN 0510131 "bracket".

Thanks George, I would have never guessed which part that was in the IPC........Bracket????

My IPC, figure 18 item 37, lists that part number as 0510131, a slightly different part number than the one you gave. And I have not been able to locate either number. Any suggestions?

learaviator wrote:My IPC, figure 18 item 37, lists that part number as 0510131, a slightly different part number than the one you gave. And I have not been able to locate either number. Any suggestions?

I corrected the typo. Your messages (both public and PMs) are confusing. Are you asking rhetorical questions? or are you actually LOOKING TO BUY that part?

I am looking to buy the part. Any help locating one would be awesome. Mine does not appear to be worn much, but that would seem to be pretty cheap life insurance to not have the flaps retract at 40 or so mph

So can anyone offer any help about where to find a "A" model flap ratchet assy? George?

Well it appears that the ratchet assy is a out of production part, because Cessna and others do not even show that part number, and so far no replies on ideas on where to get them. I have acess to a waterjet machine, looks like I may be making one for myself. Does anyone else need one?

I understand your thinking that there is wear and if you can get a new part why not. But I'm curious if you have experienced a problem or just think there might be? To be honest we just don't hear a lot of folks having problems with their flap ratchet.

Of course if I had access to a waterjet I'd probably make a part just because I could and I probably couldn't stop with just that part.

I once saw the ratchet assembly of a B model that had the worn slots repaired simply by welding on the slots and then fileing them back to shape. Same for the pawl.

Actually I have not had a problem with it, but I am thinking having a problem might be fatal..............Seriously though, I guess I have just been thinking about the amount of force that is on that ratchet and pawl assy at full flaps, and was thinking I might start with new. But it might be a lot of efort to fix something that is not broke. Probably worrying over nothing. But I have been landing on some real short dirt strips , really low and slow, and that started me thinking about it. Maybe I will just replace the pawl (or latch) for now. And I am with you on the waterjet. Don't even get me started.......

I suppose that at just the wrong time loosing all the flaps might put you in a bad situation. But I think chances of that are slim. First your likely to only loose one notch of flaps if any and that's not likely to have the effect you might think. And you could always grab the handle and pull it back in and hold it. I think you might be thinking to hard on this one at least until you start to have an issue.

BTW you could always not use any flaps and slip the heck out of the aircraft. Much more fun, and not much of a problem for helicopter pilots, and maybe just as effective as the flaps found on the A model.

You'll recall there was a fatal crash of a C180, in Seattle I think, because the pilot could not retract full flaps in a go-around situation. I guess the problem isn't in extending flaps -- it may prevent retraction. Didn't someone also describe repairing the flap handle by replacing the rivet with a bolt?

John

Yes John there has been an issue in that regard but that is not caused buy wear to the ratchet which is the part Learaviator was considering replacing.

The replacement (home-made) might be more dangerous than the 60-year old original.... if it's made too soft, etc.

Like Bruce said, it's not the ratchet that causes the problem. It's the latch and it's rivet and operating rod.