Steel Axles

[N3092A]

Have a question for you guys. The steel axles (part number AF1441003-1) from Mcfarlane, Spruce, whoever, are all made by Airforms, Inc I believe. If I am not mistaken, part number 1441003-1 is a C-180 part number. Airforms claims to have a PMA for the 170, but how do I verify that. If they had a PMA for the 170, wouldn't the part number be a 170 part number? In other words, how do I put a C-180 part on my 170 without an STC?

Any thoughts?

I know, just put them on.......But I like to be legal.

[mike roe]

I went thru this about a year ago. Although Spruce and others had them on the approval list they were not for the 170 acording to the manufacturer at that time. They told me they were going to add the 170 to the list. Talk to someone at Airforms see if they got it straight.

[GAHorn]

The manufacturer is AirFRAMES, Inc (not Airforms) and their FAA-PMA erroneously claimed the 170 and Spruce repeated the error.
I personally called them, they apologized and promised to correct the problem and get FAA-PMA approval two years ago.
Based upon THIS msg-thread, I have now called Spruce and asked them to obtain and update their paperwork, and I am awaiting their call-back. Will post again when I hear from them.

I suggest you contact Spruce and demand a form 8130 or a copy of the 170=approved FAA-PMA form.

[hilltop170]

The manufacturer is AirFRAMES, Inc (not Airforms)

http://www.enginebaffles.com
AIRFORMS
After 10 great years, we have changed our name from Airframes, Inc. to Airforms, as we recently sold the supercub fuselage portion of our business. We are continuing on at the same facility and with the same highly skilled personell and our commitment to excellence in quality and customer satisfaction. We are constantly developing new FAA/PMA approved parts, engine baffles along with other components.


http://www.airframesalaska.com
Airframes Alaska is an FAA/PMA certified parts manufacturer with decades of experience working on the Cub.


Neither company claims to be making axles! They are probably a sub-contractor for Spruce, etc.

[blueldr]

As a matter of curiousity, I have two friends whose two companys are in the business of recovering and storing wrecked airplanes for insurance companies. Neither of them has ever seen a broken axle on a Cessna.

I'm editing this post to state that the above friends are not involved in recovery where airplanes might be "shod" with other than wheels with pneumatic tires. I can recall that my own experience of flying on skis in Alaska used to make me wince at the hammering when landing a frozen lake. It's easy to see that skis could really make a difference.

[minton]

I agree, never seen a broken Cessna axel.

[Jimmy M.]

We've got a fella here on skis that bent a STEEL axle on his 180.(bent it about 20 degrees)
If it would have been aluminum.......we might have seen a broken one....

[N3092A]

I agree it is rare, but I have talked to two guys at work who know personally of Solid aluminum axle failure. All of them were on airplanes that operated on skis and wheels alternately. Both of them were also on 180's. While the heavier airframe obviously subjects the axles to stronger loads, my 170 operated on skis in Alaska for several years. There has to be a limit to what those axles can take, and I don't want to find out the wrong way. I think that there was a post on this website of an axle failure on a 180 horsepower 170 in the backcountry. Not sure which aluminum axles he had though. Thanks for checking with Spruce George. I've got a call into Airforms, and I'll post if I get any results.

[GAHorn]

[...http://www.enginebaffles.com
AIRFORMS
After 10 great years, we have changed our name from Airframes, Inc. to Airforms, ....

A-HA! Thanks, Richard!

When I last talked to them they were still under the old name...and they promised me they'd obtain approval (FAA-PMA) for their axles to apply to 170's. We'll see what Spruce comes up with.

[mccarlie]

Just pulled out (first copy I could find) "The 170 News" 1st Quarter 2009 and on page 19 is an ad for Airforms, Inc. Steel Axles FAA-PMA Approved on 170,180, 185.

[4517C]

The last time I checked the NTSB records 20 incidents had been reported involving 170 axle failures. Often the part number of the axle was not given in the report. However, even if the part number is given, that does not tell the complete story. Early axles, both hollow and solid, were machined from 2024-T4 aluminum bar. Later axles, with the same part numbers, were machined from 2014-T6 forgings and the last production of solid axles were machined from 7175-T14forgings. Interesting that Cessna continued to switch alloys. Jake

[canav8]

The STC to use Steel 180 axles on all C-170's is available for $200 from a guy up in Maine I believe. Pay him and submit a 337 and its done. If anyone is interested in a pair of solid aluminum axles I got them available for a donation to the Association and my expenses. Direct replacements. Doug

[minton]

The last time I checked the NTSB records 20 incidents had been reported involving 170 axle failures. Often the part number of the axle was not given in the report. However, even if the part number is given, that does not tell the complete story. Early axles, both hollow and solid, were machined from 2024-T4 aluminum bar. Later axles, with the same part numbers, were machined from 2014-T6 forgings and the last production of solid axles were machined from 7175-T14forgings. Interesting that Cessna continued to switch alloys. Jake

More interesting that they continued to use the same part number??

[n2582d]

Have a question for you guys. The steel axles (part number AF1441003-1) from Mcfarlane, Spruce, whoever, are all made by Airforms, Inc I believe. If I am not mistaken, part number 1441003-1 is a C-180 part number. Airforms claims to have a PMA for the 170, but how do I verify that. If they had a PMA for the 170, wouldn't the part number be a 170 part number? In other words, how do I put a C-180 part on my 170 without an STC?

Any thoughts?

I know, just put them on.......But I like to be legal.

This thread seems to indicate that the PMA was granted for using p/n 1441003-1 on the C-170. I wouldn't have too much heartburn as an A&P installing p/n 1441003-1 axles from a salvage yard. The C-170 ski axles are p/n 0541124-1 which are the same p/n as the standard C-180 axles. The heavy duty C-180 axles are p/n 1441003-1.

[N3092A]

Okay, I think I got this straightened out. I talked with Toni at Mcfarlane. They did not show that the AF1441003-1 part number was applicable to the 170 series. After some research on her part she sent me an e-mail with the following link to the FAA website. Try this (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guida ... f1441003-1). For those that don't have time, it shows the PMA was issued to Airframes INC, which later changed names to Airforms, INC. The FAA document shows that part number AF1441003-1 replaces Cessna P/N 0541124 and 0541124-1. Toni at Mcfarlane said that they are revising their website to show the change. Gotta love paperwork.