The International Cessna^® 170 Association

My 53B has had new cowel access doors manufactured at some time. An excelent job was done with a very precise fit except they weren't rolled so they want to "go straight" when opened. This puts a lot of strain on the latches when closed. There is a lot of wear on the doubler where the latch engages. Now one has worn through both the doubler and the cowel skin.
Ideas???
Thanks
Scott.....53B

I know you think I understand what you wrote, but I wonder if you realize your words can have several different meanings?
Are you saying your Hartwell latch has completely worn thru the cowling skin and doubler and no longer offers any containment of the door?

If so, the best way to fix it is to have a patch installed in your cowl.

If your doors were rivetted with doublers and not "formed" while rivetted, it's unlikely you'll be able to do much about that without drilling out existing rivets and re-rivetting it. Do you know a good sheet-metal shop nearby?

Yes George,you understood it corectly. One latch has worn through the doubler and the cowl skin. The other three are well worn and will need to be built up somehow. Also I noticed today that some of the pins in the latches need to be replaced, which I'll just make.I assumed a patch could be manufactured, I was just checking for a better idea, which oftentimes show up on these fourms.
Thanks again, Scott....53B

You might find structural adhesive such as Hysol to be an effective way to attach or build up a doubler to make the repair and to add material to the other worn ones. New Hartwell Latches are available from Spruce. Ask for their"surplus" ones ....they are much less expensive.

If you're willing to do some repainting might brazing work in this non-structural application? Check out Del's post here. There are a lot of companies hawking brazing rods for aluminum. Just Google "brazing aluminum". Kent White is well known for his expertise with sheet metal. Here is a YouTube video of him brazing aluminum. This video uses a rod without flux--$65/lb. I'm sure they make it look easier to use than it really is.