Cracked spinner

[MooneyBob]

My spinner has cracked. Actually a small piece under one of the screw broke off. The broken piece is still there under the screw.

My question is : Can any A&P weld it or do I have to send it to a certified welder?

I am in NJ. Thanks

[orionflt]

Bob,

Chances are you will not be able to weld it, personally I would just replace it but a new one will run $1,500.00. There is a service bulletin out there from Harrell because of cracking on Mooney,s, mine was damaged last yr and I got lucky and found a good one online but be careful that you don't end up with one from hartzel's do not use list.

Brian

[N601RX]

http://www.spinner-repairs.com/welded_spinner_repair.htm

[orionflt]

http://www.spinner-repairs.com/welded_spinner_repair.htm

Defiantly worth checking out.

[larryb]

I had a similar problem, the screw heads had worked themselves into the spinner material, making the section under the screw thinner. I noticed this when I noticed a loose screw and tightened all of them. And yes, I had the fiber washers. My shop had a serviceable used spinner. Fortunately I found this before anything cracked or broke. I think the key thing is, keep the screws snug. I find I have to sung them down every couple months.

 

I did check out the spinner welding shop when this happened. They did say they could fix the type of damage I had. They wanted $400 + shipping, takes a few days. I paid about the same for my used one. I went with the used spinner just to minimize downtime. I've been thinking of sending my defective one in for welding just to have a ready spare handy.

 

Larry

[MooneyBob]

Bob,

Chances are you will not be able to weld it, personally I would just replace it but a new one will run $1,500.00. There is a service bulletin out there from Harrell because of cracking on Mooney,s, mine was damaged last yr and I got lucky and found a good one online but be careful that you don't end up with one from hartzel's do not use list.

Brian

Thanks.

[FloridaMan]

Spinner or bulkhead?

[MooneyBob]

Spinner or bulkhead?

Spinner.

[MooneyBob]

My another question is what could happen if this kind of defect developed during a flight. Could the spinner disintegrate and cause catastrophic failure of the prop or engine?

[DonMuncy]

The only ones I have heard about failing in flight didn't hurt the engine or prop, but did cause windshield, wing or tail damage.

[N601RX]

I've found a few on other planes that have been cracked on preflight. If you look it over good each time chances are you will catch it before it comes apart.

[ncdmtb]

I also noticed that my spinner was cracked during a preflight. I decided to ground the plane and replaced it. I ended up buying one from Lasar and Dan was really knowledgable. I did not know what the part the number was (and could not find it) he knew what I needed, I was up and flying again in no time,

Check to make sure the back plates are OK, else replace those too. I ended up getting the spinner. When the A&P went to replace, he noticed the plates had an issue, so I needed to go back and order those too. It would have been a lot cheaper (airfreight to Germany) had I ordered both at once.

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