'54 (serial 26039) and on 172 serial 28000-46754 door handle

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Bruce Fenstermacher
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'54 (serial 26039) and on 172 serial 28000-46754 door handle

Post by Bruce Fenstermacher »

I have cracked the mystery of exactly what door handles go a 170, 19'54 (serial 26039) and on and 172 serial 28000-46754. Yes they are different and not interchangeable with all the earlier 170 models.

I just spent two days in Carlisle PA at the Carlisle Spring swap meet. Carlisle is likely the largest event of it's type in the world in 82 acres with 8100 vendor spaces. If your looking for a car part and you can't find it at Carlisle, you can't find it.

With sample in hand I walked into the first vendor who had a pile of maybe 50 door handles. Started sorting through it and bam. There it is, an exact match. Asked the vendor if he knew what it was from and he looks at it and says. Mercury '53 or '54. Pretty sure. Might also be Lincoln. And the hunt was on. About 200 vendors later I stopped at probably the 10th pile of door handles and I show the vendor my sample. Recognize this handle I ask. Sure enough he says. '53 Mercury. I own one. These are the handles. You can find one up on the hill and look yourself he says, it's blue. Bam, pretty good confirmation what these door handles came from. 4 hours later we came to the blue '53 Merc on the hill and sure enough right there on the doors are the matching handles. Over two days we scoured the fair ground looking at hundreds of door handles and asking for information. We could never determine if the '54 Merc were the same but we do have evidence they changed by '57 and maybe even '55. We also where never able to determine if '53 Lincolns had these handles. There is a handle of unknown exact car model, that most people wouldn't even notice the difference and we didn't until we bought them and later carefully compared them to others. These also fit the shafts.
'54 170 and later and early 172 door handle
'54 170 and later and early 172 door handle
The shaft it fits which is very different than all the 170s prior to 26039
The shaft it fits which is very different than all the 170s prior to 26039
So bottom line these exact handles where not sold on a large quantity of cars when compared to the "plane jane" Fords of the same time period. Out of hundreds I did find and purchase several of these handles and will make them available to those owners who need them and want original. These handles are not reproduced so used salvage is all there is if you want original design.

I've learned a lot about door handles in two days including that Cessna did not change their IPC for the correct door handle shaft for '54 serial 26039 and on. This part is 0511227-7 and can be found in the 172 IPC. Also there are two types of C clips. One made of round stock and one made of square stock. Both clips are readily available and I believe the square clips might actually fit tighter if your handle moves in or out on the shaft a pinch.

Also there are a few handle designs, different than the original, that are readily available new. I'll have that information over the next few days and post it here well.

BTW these handles are a real bear to get off of the shafts. You must know how to do it and have the correct tools. If you think you know how to do it and have a door handle clip tool and have removed these type handles before, you still won't get it off. I'll have more about this later as well.
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Re: '54 (serial 26039) and on 172 serial 28000-46754 door ha

Post by Bruce Fenstermacher »

As promised the other handles that fit and would work just fine that are not original are for Fords from '53 to '61 and maybe even as late as '63. I personally fitted a shaft into samples of these (original not new) while at Carlisle. 2 of the designs look period which of course they are and one is a little more modern coming out in '59 and running into the early '60s.
Here is what a customized '53 Mercury looks like for the youngins.
Custom '53 Mercury
Custom '53 Mercury
Custom '53 Merc
Custom '53 Merc

Here is a handle that is so close I bought a pair and didn't realize they where different. Never determined what they came from but suspect maybe a '54 or '55 Merc.
Close but no cigar. Bottom handle is original. Top handle is from ? Notice it has 3 ribs v 2 ribs and is about 1/4" longer. They do fit if you find them.
Close but no cigar. Bottom handle is original. Top handle is from ? Notice it has 3 ribs v 2 ribs and is about 1/4" longer. They do fit if you find them.
Early '50s Fords and T-Birds Dennis Carpender # B5A-7022600-A,  Ford stamp # 7022614
Early '50s Fords and T-Birds Dennis Carpender # B5A-7022600-A, Ford stamp # 7022614
Late '50s early 60's Ford Dennis Carpender # C0AZ-6422600-A, Ford stamp # 64226014
Late '50s early 60's Ford Dennis Carpender # C0AZ-6422600-A, Ford stamp # 64226014
Early 60s Ford Dennis Carpender # C3AZ-6222600-B, Ford stamp # 6222614-D
Early 60s Ford Dennis Carpender # C3AZ-6222600-B, Ford stamp # 6222614-D
Open back
Open back
The 6222600 and 7022600 have open backs. 6422600 has a solid handle and open back center
The 6222600 and 7022600 have open backs. 6422600 has a solid handle and open back center
Note: Dennis Carpenter is the company that makes all these reproduction products no matter what vendor you buy them from.

Alternate door handles:
http://dennis-carpenter.com/door--handl ... 7022600-a/ $19.95 each
http://dennis-carpenter.com/door-opener ... 6422600-A/ $19.95 each
http://dennis-carpenter.com/door-handle ... 6222600-b/ $11.95 each

Door handle springs:
http://dennis-carpenter.com/door-escutc ... 7022624-a/ $0.95 each

Door handle escutcheon plates, (the round plate that goes behind the door handle) '53 versions where steel these are plastic.
http://dennis-carpenter.com/window-cran ... 7023370-b/ $2.95 each

Door handle clips (that hold the handles on)
http://dennis-carpenter.com/door-handle ... /?tab=cars $0.60 each

If you need just the clips they are probably available at your local auto parts for GM and Ford. The escutcheon spring and plate are available from Dennis Carpenter if you don't have them and want/need them. I've seen a 170 install with padded upholstery that didn't have them and did not need them with the original handles which are solid back. If you decide to go with the newer style handle the backs of these are open and you might want at least the escutcheon plate which was originally metal but is now plastic.
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Re: '54 (serial 26039) and on 172 serial 28000-46754 door ha

Post by Bruce Fenstermacher »

Methods to remove door handles from airplanes and cars way back was a a mystery to most as there was not evidence of a pin or screw to remove. These where held on by C- clips the where pushed out by a special tool. Once you knew what you had to do you had half the battle won. With tool in hand, as a teenager I could pop these handles of is seconds. As these types of door handles go the '53 Merc/Cessna handle is the mother of all handles to remove.

The issue in the C-clip is entirely enclosed in the back of the handle. On most of these types of handles the clip sticks out and it can be snagged and pulled with a hook or the ends caught and pushed. In fact a fairly recent forum post taught many of us that an ordinary shop towel run behind the handle would catch the clip and remove it. But not so on these handles.
With the clip sitting on top of the hub you can see the clip is smaller than the hub of the handle and nothing protrudes from it to catch or push when it is inserted in the slot of the hub.
With the clip sitting on top of the hub you can see the clip is smaller than the hub of the handle and nothing protrudes from it to catch or push when it is inserted in the slot of the hub.
You can see the slot the clip slides in.
You can see the slot the clip slides in.
A special too is needed to insert into the slot and pick up and push out on the end of the clip. In the above pictures you see such a tool I cut out of a strip of 22 gauge steel which is thin enough but not to thin to fit into the slot. Two such tools, one for the top and one for the bottom might work even better.
Hooking and pushing the clip
Hooking and pushing the clip
Once you have a tool and ready to remove the handle you need a few other things. A helper helps cause you need 3 to 4 hands. If there is a spring and an escutcheon plate installed, this is very tight. The helper pushes in on the spring releasing the plate allowing a thin slot so you can look in to see the C-clip slot. If you don't have a helper maybe you can wedge the spring back accomplishing the same thing with one or two screw drivers. But first befor you do anything else you probably want to protect your upholstery with a thin sheet of cereal box card board.
Card board protection inserted behind door handle
Card board protection inserted behind door handle
Ok now have the helper or your screw drivers pry back the upholstery and start digging with your tool(s) to hook and push the end of the clip out of the handle hub. Be careful, like and good c-clip it will spring away from you and across the hanger and escape for ever. The clip gets pushed towards the front of the airplane if your handles are installed correctly. Or push the clip in the direction opposite the handle part of the handle.

Once you have the clip out, wiggle the handle at the hub. There is nothing else holding it on to the shaft other than the friction of the splined shaft.
Here is what your handle shaft looks like. Note the slot farthest into the door. This is the slot the spring clip holds onto.
Here is what your handle shaft looks like. Note the slot farthest into the door. This is the slot the spring clip holds onto.
To reinstall first reinstall the spring and escutcheon plate on the shaft if you arer using one. Likely the spring is behind the upholstery and never came off. Snap the C clip all the way back into the slot of the handle. With the door striker paw fully out and at rest turn the splined shaft by hand counter-clockwise to take out any slack in the linkage. Position the handle on the shaft oriented correctly but favoring slightly high at the end of the handle. Push the handle on engaging the splines and push in until it the C clip snaps into place. You may feel two snaps, one just before the splines engage and the last one with the handle all the way on. If you did it right when you leave go and the handle is free gravity will level the handle. Wiggle the handle to be sure the handle does not come off. If you pushed the handle on the spline high or low and the handle is not straight at rest, you get to remove the handle to try again.
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dreed
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Re: '54 (serial 26039) and on 172 serial 28000-46754 door ha

Post by dreed »

Bruce thank you so much for the effort you have spent in finding the correct door handles.
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sfarringer
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Re: '54 (serial 26039) and on 172 serial 28000-46754 door ha

Post by sfarringer »

resize.jpg
resize.jpg (26.75 KiB) Viewed 29349 times
Or you could use a door handle clip removal tool...
Ragwing S/N 18073
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Bruce Fenstermacher
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Re: '54 (serial 26039) and on 172 serial 28000-46754 door ha

Post by Bruce Fenstermacher »

sfarringer wrote:
resize.jpg
Or you could use a door handle clip removal tool...
That tool won't work on these handles. It will on the early handles. The tool relies on the ends of the clips protruding so the tool can catch and then and push the clip out. As I said this handle does not allow the clip to protrude out from it. This is why I made my tool.
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rydfly
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Re: '54 (serial 26039) and on 172 serial 28000-46754 door ha

Post by rydfly »

Thanks for all of your diligent research on this, Bruce. I'm sure the '54 and later guys here will appreciate it.

My '53 (s/n 25865) has 2 different door handles and I suspect that neither is correct. I plan to post pics soon to confirm.
1953 C170B - N170RP S/N 25865
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jpilot964
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Re: '54 (serial 26039) and on 172 serial 28000-46754 door ha

Post by jpilot964 »

Wonder if anybody knows about the handle with the plastic insert.. The plastic is inside handle over the shaft. Serial 26229. I need all hardware for pass side with the plastic insert or 1 shaft and all hardware to change both sides back to original.
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Re: '54 (serial 26039) and on 172 serial 28000-46754 door ha

Post by GAHorn »

jpilot964 wrote:Wonder if anybody knows about the handle with the plastic insert.. The plastic is inside handle over the shaft. Serial 26229. I need all hardware for pass side with the plastic insert or 1 shaft and all hardware to change both sides back to original.
It sounds as if you are describing an after-market auto-part which was sold for universal fitment (in the automotive world). It may have been installed onto your airplane in lieu of the previous owner locating an OEM part. (I found that style in my 206 also and was able to identify it as such.) The plastic inserts were supplied with the replacement handle in order to fit it to the various spline-patterns available....the unused inserts being tossed.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
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An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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brian.olson
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Re: '54 (serial 26039) and on 172 serial 28000-46754 door ha

Post by brian.olson »

Just discovered that the pointy-end of a Sawzall blade will work to help get the clip out.
Brian
1950 170A
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GAHorn
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Re: '54 (serial 26039) and on 172 serial 28000-46754 door ha

Post by GAHorn »

I just discovered those shafts PNs 0511227-7 which the later B-models and eary 172s utilize...are still in stock at Cessna.

And the price range (depending upon which exact shaft you need)... is between $1354 and $1833. Yep. Call Cessna... and you CAN get the SHAFT!
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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IA DPE
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Re: '54 (serial 26039) and on 172 serial 28000-46754 door ha

Post by IA DPE »

Bruce Fenstermacher wrote:
sfarringer wrote:
The attachment resize.jpg is no longer available
Or you could use a door handle clip removal tool...
That tool won't work on these handles. It will on the early handles. The tool relies on the ends of the clips protruding so the tool can catch and then and push the clip out. As I said this handle does not allow the clip to protrude out from it. This is why I made my tool.
When I had my handle off, I took a hacksaw and extended the slots that the clips are in, to be like the newer style handles that accept the tool. It worked great and there's still plenty of material to secure the handles in place.
Attachments
Door Handle Mod.jpg
Door Handle Mod.jpg (35.19 KiB) Viewed 5717 times
1955 C170B N2993D s/n 26936
1986 DG-400 N9966C
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Joe Moilanen
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Re: '54 (serial 26039) and on 172 serial 28000-46754 door ha

Post by Joe Moilanen »

I replaced the handles on my '53 (serial # 25462) from a company in Portland, Oregon named "Chevs of the 40's". I can't remember what model or year they were from they but were a fairly good fit.

Joe
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GAHorn
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Re: '54 (serial 26039) and on 172 serial 28000-46754 door ha

Post by GAHorn »

Joe Moilanen wrote:I replaced the handles on my '53 (serial # 25462) from a company in Portland, Oregon named "Chevs of the 40's". I can't remember what model or year they were from they but were a fairly good fit.

Joe
4518C
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=6602&hilit=chevys+of+the+40s
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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falco
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Re: '54 (serial 26039) and on 172 serial 28000-46754 door ha

Post by falco »

I've found that if you drag a shop towel (use a clean one) between the the door handle and the panel, you can snag the end of the clip with the towel and pull it out.
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