The International Cessna 170 Association

I really like the design of Fowler Flaps on C170B s.n. 26433. Perhaps Best flap design ever.

Need advise on preventing wear in the Flap Tracks.

Inspecting action of the Flaps - they work perfectly - Look perfect However I do not see much lubricant evidence inside the Flap Tracks.

Hoping to learn how to lube sufficient to Never Ever needing a McFarlane R R Kit.

Question to the Forum Where do I lubricate? What type lube do I use?

I am thinking that attention to flaps receive minimal attention during Annual Inspection. Owner/Operators should be involved in aircraft lubrication more than just checking engine oil level prior to flight.

I looked at the 100 Series Service Manual on Flap maintenance / Lubrication. I bite my tongue, remain silent on the merits of this publication.

Please Help

An acid-brush works well. I use Permatex Anti-Seize paste on the tracks and Mil 7870 on the rollers/hinges/etc.

They make this stuff in a series for Aluminum, Copper, Graphite.

IMHO, the best way to prevent flap track wear is to make sure the rollers are lubed and rolling properly. They should NOT slide on the tracks.

To follow up on what Miles said, one of the best things you can do is to lower the flaps fully during each preflight inspection and rotate each of the rollers with your finger. It makes sure the rollers remain free to rotate. In other words, if you do that on a regular basis, the rollers will not bind/freeze up. Some wear of the tracks is inevitable, because the flaps vibrate slightly in their tracks even when not cycling. For example, in my experience, the tracks wear the most in the most forward area of the tracks where the rollers are located when the flaps are fully raised. I'm guessing this is caused by vibration during normal flight. So at some point, replacement of the tracks is inevitable over time. But changing them is not that difficult for a reasonably skilled A&P.

50 years of wear is going to show up no matter what you put on them.

Is that like oil changes...?? … no reason to do it because the engine needs to be ovhl'd someday anyway?
I believe the point is to slow wear to the point that a future owners has to be the one to replace them.

Well DA George...……..

Yeah, Tim... that was the way your post struck me.... yet I know that's not what you meant. Just wondered if you saw how that could be misinterpreted....

George
The master of misspeak.

(no intention to critique)

At least we can still get new flap tracks when they do wear out.

Would LPs 1 qualify for MIL 7870 lubricate?

Grady, use LPS-2, rather than LPS-1. MIL 7870 refers to general purpose, low temperature lubricating oil, such as those commonly used to lubricate hinges, pulleys, etc. on small aircraft. (The current spec is MIL-PRF-7870E "Lubricating Oil: General Purpose, Low Temperature".) LPS-2 is commonly used for that purpose, though it doesn't actually claim to comply with 7870. Every A&P I know (including me) uses it for that purpose (though it may be a regional thing). Corrosion X and ACF-50 (which are good lubricants in addition to being corrosion inhibitors) can also be used, although they also do not claim to comply with 7870. If you absolutely feel you must use a lubricant that claims to comply with 7870, you can choose one of these: Zip-Chem Aero-Lube D-5261NS, LANXESS (formerly Anderol) Royco 363, or Castro Brayco 363. All are good, so take your pick. But as I said, LPS-2 is what a lot of A&P's use.

Gene is exactly correct. The problem with LPS is that it does not meet the anti-corrosion specification of 7870... (if that's a problem... I doubt it.)
LPS-2, 3-in-One oil, or similar all work fine, IMO.
Another product I like is WD-40 Spray GEL which is persistent (rather than eventually sublimate as the original product does.) https://www.amazon.com/WD-40-Specialist ... 344&sr=8-9

Went out purchased the Permatex Paste - love it - pasty adhers to tracks - Will uses it shop on a automatic riveting machines.

Just saw the GA post on WD 40 Gel - that is new to me - I want it - they will sell a bunch. Solds