MooneyBob Posted March 12, 2014 Report Posted March 12, 2014 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 Quote
orionflt Posted March 12, 2014 Report Posted March 12, 2014 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 1 Quote
N601RX Posted March 12, 2014 Report Posted March 12, 2014 http://www.spinner-repairs.com/welded_spinner_repair.htm Quote
orionflt Posted March 13, 2014 Report Posted March 13, 2014 http://www.spinner-repairs.com/welded_spinner_repair.htm Defiantly worth checking out. Quote
larryb Posted March 13, 2014 Report Posted March 13, 2014 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 Quote
MooneyBob Posted March 13, 2014 Author Report Posted March 13, 2014 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. Quote
MooneyBob Posted March 13, 2014 Author Report Posted March 13, 2014 Spinner or bulkhead? Spinner. Quote
MooneyBob Posted March 13, 2014 Author Report Posted March 13, 2014 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? Quote
DonMuncy Posted March 13, 2014 Report Posted March 13, 2014 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. Quote
N601RX Posted March 13, 2014 Report Posted March 13, 2014 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. Quote
ncdmtb Posted March 13, 2014 Report Posted March 13, 2014 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. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote
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