Burning through oil door latches

[RobertGary1]

Seem to have to replace one of these each year. They don’t seem to last. Am I the only one?

 

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/flushlatch.php

 

 

[Ragsf15e]

Mine has different type of latches that are twist 90 degrees and stick up maybe 1/2”.  They seem solid.  Is what you have original?

[apriav]

Propeller balance may help. 

Vibration is the culprit.

[carusoam]

Robert,

Got any pics of your installation?

are they standard Mooney parts?

Similar hardware is on the LBs as well… no issues.

Best regards,

-a-

[MikeOH]

Doesn't seem right.  I've had my plane for over 4 years and no issue.  And, no telling how long they've been on the plane before my ownership.

I will say I don't let them 'snap.' When I open them I use my other hand to let the latch open slowly.

[RLCarter]

Like  @apriav  I’m leaning towards a vibration issue……. How are they failing, and are the failures the same?

[Guest]

I’ve no suggestions.  The only thing that I’ve seen go wrong with Hartwell latches is broken rusty springs and broken aluminum from releasing the latches with a snap instead of restraining them with your thumb.

Clarence

[N201MKTurbo]

I made a new oil door for my F (N6319Q) back in 86 with Hartwell latches. They are probably still on it and working fine.

[RobertGary1]

Don’t really have any vibration issues. Here is where they break. Maybe a bad batch?

 

 

[MikeOH]

Hmm, that is an odd failure point. It implies, to me anyway, that the hole/pivot point is being over stressed.  Are the latches stiff/hard to close?  Mine are effortless (beyond the spring tension).

[RobertGary1]

2 hours ago, MikeOH said:

Hmm, that is an odd failure point. It implies, to me anyway, that the hole/pivot point is being over stressed.  Are the latches stiff/hard to close?  Mine are effortless (beyond the spring tension).

Now you have me thinking. I think I did add some anti chaffing tape to the door s few years back. Maybe the door sits tight now. I ordered a new latch and will check that out. 

[Guest]

You may be on to something now.  Hartwell latches do come in a variety of different offsets for different panel thicknesses.

Clarence