The International Cessna 170 Association

The control yoke rods on my 170 have some rust and I don't like their appearance. Anyone done any work on them to clean them up?

What steps have owners taken to make these look nice and shiny?

Will I damage any seals if I try using navel jelly or steel wool and a bit of fine oil?

Is it a major job to pull these rods? If I do pull the rods, what have others done upon removal? Should they just be sent to a rechromer - like the many companies who can chrome other misc. items?

Never use steel wool on or in an airplane.

They're easily removed at the universal joint with only one bolt, then send them out to a plating shop. Just be certain to bake them in a 350 degree F oven for 3 hours afterwards to get rid of hydrogenation embrittlement. Any aviation re-plater will know.

Does anyone have any plating shops they can recommend for this? I need to get mine done at annual.

Thanks,

Most propeller shops have the capability or an outside source for plating.
If your prop shop can't help you, send me a PM and I'll put you in contact with one who can.

Thanks George!