Cherokee shoulder seat belt replacement

[texas slacker]

My warrior is fitted with shoulder strap seat belts anchored to the
upper side of the plane, just above the second window. From the looks
of them they were original equipment. Now - I need to remove the
retracting mechanism so I can have new belts attached. After removal
of the plastic cover plate I see the spool, bolted to a bracket which
is attached to the fuselage with three phillips head screws. The bolt
just rotates so I assume it has an unsecured head that I can't get to
so the three screws are the only way to remove the retracting
mechanism. The only problem is that the screws are so close to the
spool that I can't get a proper bite with a screwdriver. A closefit
screwdriver will simply "cam out", I can't get any lateral pressure on
it. I might be able to grab the screw head with a pair of vise grips
but hoped that someone on this group would have a smarter way. If you
did - where did you take the equipment for fixin? Leo

[Morgans[_2_]]

"texas slacker" > wrote

> I might be able to grab the screw head with a pair of vise grips
> but hoped that someone on this group would have a smarter way. If you
> did - where did you take the equipment for fixin? Leo

Have you considered a screwdriver that is long flexible "cable?"

Lacking that working, the vise grips and or a dremmel to cut the head off,
and use Allen head screws, and a rounded head Allen wrench driver to put it
back together.

I have also drilled and tapped the center of a bolt that wanted to turn, and
used a small screw and jam nut to hold things still while it is being
wrenched out.
--
Jim in NC

[Vaughn Simon]

"Morgans" > wrote in message
...
>.. a dremel to cut the head off...

Sometimes it is possible to use a little cutoff wheel in a Dremel to cut a
slot right across a Philips screw head and then use a flat screwdriver.

Vaughn

[Morgans[_2_]]

"Vaughn Simon" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Morgans" > wrote in message
> ...
>>.. a dremel to cut the head off...
>
> Sometimes it is possible to use a little cutoff wheel in a Dremel to cut
> a slot right across a Philips screw head and then use a flat screwdriver.

Done that many times with good results.

I didn't mention it, because he said he had problems fitting a screw driver
into the screw, because stuff was in the way. I didn't think that a flat
would work any better than the Phillips.

Really, I have found that a flat will not usually work as well, when the
shaft can not be held in straight alignment with the screw. YMMV.
--
Jim in NC

[[email protected]]

On Sep 25, 9:08*pm, "Morgans" > wrote:
> "Vaughn Simon" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
>
>
> > "Morgans" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>.. a dremel to cut the head off...
>
> > * Sometimes it is possible to use a little cutoff wheel in a Dremel to cut
> > a slot right across a Philips screw head and then use a flat screwdriver.

[Morgans[_2_]]

> wrote

Kinda makes one wonder how the factory gets the screws in the first
time... <G>

Ain't that the truth!

I have two possible answers. The assembly was built up in a way that it can
not be taken apart in reverse order, or there was some damn special tool
involved. Perhaps a screwdriver tip made real close onto a universal joint.

In my way of thinking, if it requires a special tool, 99% of the time it was
poor engineering that makes the special tool necessary.
--
Jim in NC

[Jon Woellhaf]

Can you take a photo of the device and post it to
alt.binaries.pictures.aviation -- or somewhere else, or email it to me?

[David Lesher]

"Jon Woellhaf" > writes:

>Can you take a photo of the device and post it to
>alt.binaries.pictures.aviation -- or somewhere else, or email it to me?


Upload to sendspace.com; then post the URL....

I can't see how 3 tiny screws secure it....

--
A host is a host from coast to
& no one will talk to a host that's close........[v].(301) 56-LINUX
Unless the host (that isn't close).........................pob 1433
is busy, hung or dead....................................20915-1433

[Morgans[_2_]]

"Jon Woellhaf" > wrote in message
. ..
> Can you take a photo of the device and post it to
> alt.binaries.pictures.aviation -- or somewhere else, or email it to me?

That should be asked of Texas Slacker, I believe.
--
Jim in NC

[Dave[_19_]]

Ummmm......

If your install is "stock Piper factory"....

The bolt is removed to remove the mechanisim...

The head is on the OUTSIDE OF THE FUSELAGE , on the roof.

You need someone on the outside holding the head.

(unless you have 6 ft arms... :)

I sent mine to "Aircraft Belts" for refurb..

Dave


On Thu, 25 Sep 2008 06:02:31 -0700 (PDT), texas slacker
> wrote:

>
>
>
>My warrior is fitted with shoulder strap seat belts anchored to the
>upper side of the plane, just above the second window. From the looks
>of them they were original equipment. Now - I need to remove the
>retracting mechanism so I can have new belts attached. After removal
>of the plastic cover plate I see the spool, bolted to a bracket which
>is attached to the fuselage with three phillips head screws. The bolt
>just rotates so I assume it has an unsecured head that I can't get to
>so the three screws are the only way to remove the retracting
>mechanism. The only problem is that the screws are so close to the
>spool that I can't get a proper bite with a screwdriver. A closefit
>screwdriver will simply "cam out", I can't get any lateral pressure on
>it. I might be able to grab the screw head with a pair of vise grips
>but hoped that someone on this group would have a smarter way. If you
>did - where did you take the equipment for fixin? Leo

[texas slacker]

Dave: Yes, you are right, 6 ft arms. I finally wedged a wrench in
the mechanism for a backup and got the spool out easily once in the
right mind set. Funny how I could fly a plane 15 years without
wondering what that allen head bolt was for. I sent them to Amsafe in
Griffin, Ga. on the suggestion of a Wag Aero phone rep. Thanks for
the input. Leo

On Sep 26, 9:58*pm, Dave > wrote:
> Ummmm......
>
> If your install is "stock Piper factory"....
>
> The bolt *is removed to remove the mechanisim...
>
> The head is on the OUTSIDE OF THE FUSELAGE , on the roof.
>
> You need someone on the outside holding the head.
>
> (unless you have 6 ft arms... :)
>
> I sent mine to "Aircraft Belts" for refurb..
>
> Dave
>
> On Thu, 25 Sep 2008 06:02:31 -0700 (PDT), texas slacker
>
> > wrote:
>
> >My warrior is fitted with shoulder strap seat belts anchored to the
> >upper side of the plane, just above the second window. From the looks
> >of them they were original equipment. Now - I need to remove the
> >retracting mechanism so I can have new belts attached. After removal
> >of the plastic cover plate I see the spool, bolted to a bracket which
> >is attached to the fuselage with three phillips head screws. The bolt
> >just rotates so I assume it has an unsecured head that I can't get to
> >so the three screws are the only way to remove the retracting
> >mechanism. The only problem is that the screws are so close to the
> >spool that I can't get a proper bite with a screwdriver. A closefit
> >screwdriver will simply "cam out", I can't get any lateral pressure on
> >it. I might be able to grab the screw head with a pair of vise grips
> >but hoped that someone on this group would have a smarter way. If you
> >did - where did you take the equipment for fixin? Leo

[Dave[_19_]]

Great!

Good things are said about Amsafe... You should get a good job!

Glad I could help!

Dave

On Sat, 27 Sep 2008 06:31:22 -0700 (PDT), texas slacker
> wrote:

>Dave: Yes, you are right, 6 ft arms. I finally wedged a wrench in
>the mechanism for a backup and got the spool out easily once in the
>right mind set. Funny how I could fly a plane 15 years without
>wondering what that allen head bolt was for. I sent them to Amsafe in
>Griffin, Ga. on the suggestion of a Wag Aero phone rep. Thanks for
>the input. Leo
>
>On Sep 26, 9:58*pm, Dave > wrote:
>> Ummmm......
>>
>> If your install is "stock Piper factory"....
>>
>> The bolt *is removed to remove the mechanisim...
>>
>> The head is on the OUTSIDE OF THE FUSELAGE , on the roof.
>>
>> You need someone on the outside holding the head.
>>
>> (unless you have 6 ft arms... :)
>>
>> I sent mine to "Aircraft Belts" for refurb..
>>
>> Dave
>>
>> On Thu, 25 Sep 2008 06:02:31 -0700 (PDT), texas slacker
>>
>> > wrote:
>>
>> >My warrior is fitted with shoulder strap seat belts anchored to the
>> >upper side of the plane, just above the second window. From the looks
>> >of them they were original equipment. Now - I need to remove the
>> >retracting mechanism so I can have new belts attached. After removal
>> >of the plastic cover plate I see the spool, bolted to a bracket which
>> >is attached to the fuselage with three phillips head screws. The bolt
>> >just rotates so I assume it has an unsecured head that I can't get to
>> >so the three screws are the only way to remove the retracting
>> >mechanism. The only problem is that the screws are so close to the
>> >spool that I can't get a proper bite with a screwdriver. A closefit
>> >screwdriver will simply "cam out", I can't get any lateral pressure on
>> >it. I might be able to grab the screw head with a pair of vise grips
>> >but hoped that someone on this group would have a smarter way. If you
>> >did - where did you take the equipment for fixin? Leo

[Dave[_1_]]

Neither in this case..

Simple, good engineering..

The head is on the OUTSIDE OF THE FUSELAGE , on the roof.

You need someone on the outside , standing on the wing walk,holding
the headwhile you twist off the AN nut on the inside.

Not everyone quickly makes the connection between the bold head on
the roof with the seat belt assy on the inside..

One of the many features that make Mr. Piper's airplanes so easy to
work on..

Dave





On Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:10:34 -0400, "Morgans"
> wrote:

>
> wrote
>
>Kinda makes one wonder how the factory gets the screws in the first
>time... <G>
>
>Ain't that the truth!
>
>I have two possible answers. The assembly was built up in a way that it can
>not be taken apart in reverse order, or there was some damn special tool
>involved. Perhaps a screwdriver tip made real close onto a universal joint.
>
>In my way of thinking, if it requires a special tool, 99% of the time it was
>poor engineering that makes the special tool necessary.

[RST Engineering]

I don't know how Piper does it, but Cessna puts that screw in place and then
builds the airplane around it.

Jim

--
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought
without accepting it."
--Aristotle



Kinda makes one wonder how the factory gets the screws in the first
time... <G>

[Mike Spera]

texas slacker wrote:
>
>
> My warrior is fitted with shoulder strap seat belts anchored to the
> upper side of the plane, just above the second window. From the looks
> of them they were original equipment. Now - I need to remove the
> retracting mechanism so I can have new belts attached. After removal
> of the plastic cover plate I see the spool, bolted to a bracket which
> is attached to the fuselage with three phillips head screws. The bolt
> just rotates so I assume it has an unsecured head that I can't get to
> so the three screws are the only way to remove the retracting
> mechanism. The only problem is that the screws are so close to the
> spool that I can't get a proper bite with a screwdriver. A closefit
> screwdriver will simply "cam out", I can't get any lateral pressure on
> it. I might be able to grab the screw head with a pair of vise grips
> but hoped that someone on this group would have a smarter way. If you
> did - where did you take the equipment for fixin? Leo
>
As others have replied, you get the whole retract assembly off via the
big nut, not the screws. The bolt head is on the outside of the plane.

I did not get mine rewebbed. Instead, Chief Aircraft had (and still has)
complete new assemblies. I paid $136 each. They are up to $149. Part
number BM H162-9-66N. Since rewebbing costs $75 - $100 or so, once you
add shipping, it ain't worth it in my mind to reweb. Don't forget the
down time. Also, many of these old retractor mechanisms have pretty worn
out return springs. Rewebbing may give you a nice new belt that still
won't fully retract. As a bonus, you get shiny new chrome hardware.
Combine this with new lap belts and that new interior can look awfully
spiffy.

Good Luck,
Mike