It does depend upon the serial numbers. The 1971 thru 1973 Cessna 172s had
different style pants than the other years. I know 'cause mine is a 1973M.
In 1974, the shorter style came into being and has a rounded nose. Before
1971, the pants are sharp pointed on both ends for some serial numbers and
some had a sharp front point and a verticle edge on the rear. 1971 thru 1973
C172s have a verticle edge on the front and the rear. A parts catalog is
helpful here because it shows the differences with pictures and specific
parts numbers.
Don't lose or discard the little cover plate that goes on top of the nose
pant because they are very expensive and hard to find in good used shape.
Go by the serial numbers:
Here are the numbers from my manual for the NOSE pants.
I got my manual from E-Bay and some can be found on DVD's there.
serial #s 17249545 thru 17254892 Part # C743609-17
serial #s 17254893 thru 17259223 C743625-A
serial #s 17259224 thru 17261898 C543065-1
serial #s 17261899 & ON C543079-3
On Cessna 182s, the styles didn't always match with the 172s year for year.
My old 1974 C-182 had pants like my 1973 C-172.
So get your serial number and match with the above and that is the pant you
need.
Sometimes when buying used pants, the part # or the N # from the aircraft
they came from is written on the inside of the pant.
Hope this helps
Tom Cummings
Sulphur, La.
wrote in message
ups.com...
My nose wheel pant is damaged. A body shop quoted me around $450 to
fix & paint it, and new ones from Cessna are over $1k. Used are
available on E-Bay for much less, and they all seem to say the same
thing - "should fit any 172 & 182, but do your own research". The
parts manager at my FBO said it had to be specifically for my 1971
172L between certain seriel numbers.

Who's right?

Please don't tell me to fiberglass it myself. My piloting skills are
ok, but I'm hopelessly mechanically challenged. My most important
personal minimum is to never, ever, fly in a plane that I worked on.

Any recommendations?