81 J Model glare shield removal

[A64Pilot]

Sorry, not having any luck with the search feature, I need to replace my Landing gear switch and assume removal of the glare shield is the way to go.

However mine is covered in a black fabric, so I assume there are screws under the fabric? Are all the fasteners on top? There has to a removable piece behind the brace how is it held on? It appears as if someone in the past covered the shield with it in place.

Is there a post that explains removal or is it pretty obvious on one that doesn’t have a cover over the top?

Or is there a better way to access the landing gear switch as that’s really what I’m after.

Finally from my searches it seems a company called aero comfort is the place to send it to be recovered in Ultraleather?

Edited August 19, 2021 by A64Pilot

[KSMooniac]

My 77 has 2 screws on top, near the outboard sides that require a bit on a slim ratchet to clear the windscreen. (I had mine covered years ago and don't use the screws any longer.) You can feel through the covering to see if you can find the screw heads, but otherwise just lift up slightly and pull aft.

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[PT20J]

Two screws as shown. Maybe some velcro underneath. Various methods used to secure around center tube: My 1978 had a metal plate with three screws.

Skip

[carusoam]

+1 for aero comfort…. They can take what’s left and revive it to better than new condition…. 
 

Hector is the go to guy for all things Mooney interior and/or leather covered….

Best regards,

-a-

[A64Pilot]

Thanks guys, I was concerned that it was a real involved procedure, glad it’s not.

Not a whole lot of relevance maybe, but years ago I was impressed by my 93 Z28 glare shield cover as it was held on entirely by a form of velcro, not the soft stuff and hooks, but both sides looked like balls on the end of a hair brush that interlocked, worked really well and took 2 min to change the cover that had cracked in the sun.

I just looked it up, it’s called 3M Dual lock https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/dual-lock-reclosable-fasteners-us/

I wonder how well it would work here?

Edited August 20, 2021 by A64Pilot

[tmo]

Very Why would it not?

[A64Pilot]

1 hour ago, tmo said:

Very Why would it not?

I’ve not taken the shield off yet, maybe there isn’t a space large enough to stick a piece of to the structure under the shield?

Just wondering if anyone had used it before I ordered some, but two screws aren’t bad unless they are inaccessible.

[carusoam]

You will find a lot of 3M hook and loop type fasteners holding the interior bits and pieces together in both firebirds and Mooneys….   

Some is really industrial strength… select wisely.

Best regards,

-a-

[A64Pilot]

Well I took it off, it was a trivial task to do so, only two screws as has been stated, and it fits so tight I think an argument could be made that no screws are needed, there was also some velcro.

My shield seems to be in very good shape, so I believe I will cover it with Ultraleather myself, it ought not be too hard and cost maybe $100. Looking at it, I believe the fabric is original and the screws were visible, I just hadn’t noticed them

I replaced the landing gear switch this morning and to my surprise only one pole of the dual pole switch is used, which makes me think that a field repair if you will could be to switch the three wires over to the unused pole.

Maybe on other aircraft both poles are used for something?

Have people replaced the glare shield lights with better ones? If so which ones, seems like something to change to LED to me.

Edited August 21, 2021 by A64Pilot

[carusoam]

Lots of LED and dimmer discussions for lighting under the glare shield….

Finding those discussions are probably best done by searching for the dimmer…

Sooooo much has been written.

Best regards,

-a-