The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Is there some easy way to replace the upper and lower, right hand instrument panel shock mounts in a '53 B? I have been looking for a double jointed midget who can crawl under the panel but haven't found one yet. I only have to replace two mounts but I will be dammed if I can figure out how to reach behind and get a socket wrench on the nuts that attach the studs to the fixed panel.

I took the right pax seat out so I could stretch out but it still seems nearly impossible. My alternative plan is to remove all of the front panel nuts and gently pull the panel back just far enough so get a wrench on the back side rather than trying to reach around from under the firewall.

Any suggestions?

It is fairly easy if you remove the instrument panel cover and reach thru an empty instrument hole (if you have one).

I am currently (almost finished) redoing my panel/wiring/radios in my A model. I can't tell you how many times I've had that darn panel in and out. I also had some trouble finding a double jointed midget but I did find that just removing a few front nuts on the panel, and losening the rest, I was able to pull the panel out far enough to remove one or two shock mounts at a time even with all the instruments installed. Problem is, you still need to get access to the nut behind the panel. I had some interesting socket/ratchet assemblys going with three or four swivels and about 7 feet of extentions !!!!!!