The International Cessna 170 Association

Anyone know of a source for new springs for the cowl door latches on the 53 and later B models? Thanks, Steve.

Cessna wants about $45 for the 5000-2-032-064, use S1188-1. Hartwell wants $135. Shop around and you might find it cheaper.

Hartwell latches have become outrageously priced, of late. Improper operating technique is a major
cause of failure. Do not simply press the button and allow the tang to fly open unrestricted.
Place a finger on the tang to control the violence of its opening, while pressing the release button.

The spring can be replaced if the hinge pin is replaced , (perhaps with a cotter,etc....) but that is
usually unsatisfactory in the long term. It's usually better to replace the latch completely, but
some owners are intimidated by simple riveting operations, usually not possessing the proper
tools or experience.

If this is the case... I recommend delaying any ad hoc repair (such as spring replacement), and wait until you can take it to someone who does. Shop around and you can usually find them priced
better on the internet. (or think of something I can't live without and trade me out of one of my
spares I bought five years ago for ten dollars each.)

Anybody know the difference, if any, in the H5000-2 latch from Aircraft Spruce for $148.95 and the H5000-2 latch from Wick's for $13.50?

http://www.wicksaircraft.com/catalog/pr ... index.html

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/ap/latches.html

Yes the Spruce parts are pictured right next to those other expensive Cessna parts and so have taken on their characteristically high price.

KG wrote:Anybody know the difference, if any, in the H5000-2 latch from Aircraft Spruce for $148.95 and the H5000-2 latch from Wick's for $13.50?

http://www.wicksaircraft.com/catalog/pr ... index.html

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/ap/latches.html

I replaced one of my latches with the Wicks and don't see any difference.

I just purchased four Hartwell H5000-2-.032-.072 latches from Preferred Airparts for under $50 including shipping. On their home page, a search for "latch" will bring up a long list of different types. The H5000's are about 3/4 down the page. As of this morning, there are 21 of them left. The .032-.072 latch was the closest I could get to the .032-.064 which is listed in the parts manual. Might want to call and order because if you do a RFQ request they're probably going to have to call you anyway which takes more time. When I get them I'll post whether they're the right size.

Yep, the .032 is the thickness of the cowl door skin that the latch attaches to, and the .064 is the thickness of the frame that the latch closes against. So, it looks like your latches will will fit the door, But will NOT fit the frame by .010 loose at the frame where it latches. So, if you want a correct fit you'll have to use the latch offered by Cessna P/N S1188-1 @ about 45bucks as previously mentioned. Let us know how the new latches work. Dennis

Dennis wrote:Yep, the .032 is the thickness of the cowl door skin that the latch attaches to, and the .064 is the thickness of the frame that the latch closes against. So, it looks like your latches will will fit the door, But will NOT fit the frame by .010 loose at the frame where it latches. So, if you want a correct fit you'll have to use the latch offered by Cessna P/N S1188-1 @ about 45bucks as previously mentioned. Let us know how the new latches work. Dennis

Or you can epoxy a "shim" inside the frame. (In fact, the epoxy alone may be all that's necessary.)