whiskytango Posted January 27, 2022 Report Posted January 27, 2022 The shop that did the recent avionics work on my 231 K model managed to jam the front passenger seat in place when they put the seats back in. What they did is install the seat so that 3 out of 4 of the base brackets are properly in the rails, but the 4th (inboard rear) is sitting on top of the rail - sorry I don't have a photo. I have tried moving the seat forward and backward but it won't budge. I would like to try and fix it myself if possible. I am familiar with the seat removal procedure for seats that are properly connected to the rails. Any suggestions? Quote
Yetti Posted January 27, 2022 Report Posted January 27, 2022 Best to loosen the bolts that hold the track wheels. They also have the clamp/guide for the other side of the track. 7/16" I think but probably 3/8 1 Quote
ArtVandelay Posted January 27, 2022 Report Posted January 27, 2022 Tried using a hammer? Might want to lube the tracks as well. 1 Quote
whiskytango Posted January 28, 2022 Author Report Posted January 28, 2022 Tried using a hammer? Might want to lube the tracks as well.That was what I was thinking- lightly greasing the tracks and then applying controlled impulse loading (whacking with a hammer) at all 4 corners to get it to move. Quote
whiskytango Posted January 28, 2022 Author Report Posted January 28, 2022 Best to loosen the bolts that hold the track wheels. They also have the clamp/guide for the other side of the track. 7/16" I think but probably 3/8I loosened the two bolts at the bracket that was on top of the rail, hoping that would “unload” the jam, but no joy. May loosening all of them will work.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote
carusoam Posted January 28, 2022 Report Posted January 28, 2022 Before designing up new maintenance procedures… Make sure all four wheels are working properly… Some times they break and go missing… A low corner can make things scrape and not work properly… If the seat is sitting on its axles… it looks kind of correct, but works terribly… The original wheels were made out of a themoset polymer soaked paper, machined into wheels… common in the 60s and 70s… Best regards, -a- 1 Quote
Yetti Posted January 28, 2022 Report Posted January 28, 2022 3 hours ago, whiskytango said: I loosened the two bolts at the bracket that was on top of the rail, hoping that would “unload” the jam, but no joy. May loosening all of them will work. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Nope you have to do all 4 corners. 1 Quote
Guest Posted January 28, 2022 Report Posted January 28, 2022 11 hours ago, whiskytango said: I loosened the two bolts at the bracket that was on top of the rail, hoping that would “unload” the jam, but no joy. May loosening all of them will work. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Loosening the bolts will have no effect, you simply have to push the seat aft until the seat reached the section of track with the top cut off, then lower both aft rollers into place and slide the seat forward and reinstall the seat stops. They have forced the seat on, you must force it off. Clarence Quote
whiskytango Posted January 28, 2022 Author Report Posted January 28, 2022 Loosening the bolts will have no effect, you simply have to push the seat aft until the seat reached the section of track with the top cut off, then lower both aft rollers into place and slide the seat forward and reinstall the seat stops. They have forced the seat on, you must force it off. ClarenceThanks Clarence. Unfortunately, your explanation makes the most sense.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote
whiskytango Posted January 28, 2022 Author Report Posted January 28, 2022 No one has said it, but I will. A maintainer who is unable to properly install a Mooney front seat does little to inspire confidence in his or her general competence to work on airplanes. Agreed. Even though the new avionics work perfectly, I would never go back to this shop.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote
Yetti Posted January 28, 2022 Report Posted January 28, 2022 2 hours ago, bluehighwayflyer said: No one has said it, but I will. A maintainer who is unable to properly install a Mooney front seat does little to inspire confidence in his or her general competence to work on airplanes. I've jammed mine on...... It's easier to do than you think it is. I will go hang my head in shame. 1 1 Quote
KB4 Posted January 28, 2022 Report Posted January 28, 2022 Silicone lubricant seems to work well and not leave black residue all along the rails. Double check the pins and cotters in left seat rails. Pin there and new cotter installed? Concerning they couldn’t do a quick google search “how to install Mooney seat”. Or think it’s okay to give it back with a bind. @Yetti absolutely no shame in learning everything you can about your Mooney. No one will take as good of care of your plane as you! You now know the right way AND know how to make adjustments. That’s more than that shop can say, and they are pros I know it’s avionics shop, but I’ve never seen a avionics install that didn’t have seats removed in beginning. These guys do this for a living, they should be embarrassed 1 Quote
whiskytango Posted January 28, 2022 Author Report Posted January 28, 2022 Update: Well @ArtVandelay and @M20Doc got it right: I used the special Mooney Seat De-Jammer tool (below) with a wood block, and sprayed PB Blaster Silicone at the point of the jam on the rail. All is good now - the seat is correctly in the rails at all 4 corners. Thanks to all who offered advice! 1 1 Quote
Jim Peace Posted January 28, 2022 Report Posted January 28, 2022 9 hours ago, bluehighwayflyer said: No one has said it, but I will. A maintainer who is unable to properly install a Mooney front seat does little to inspire confidence in his or her general competence to work on airplanes. I recently had a "mechanic" who could not get the seats out of my plane so he turned down some minor work. He tried and tried and then gave up. My friend removed them in 10 minutes. 1 Quote
kortopates Posted January 29, 2022 Report Posted January 29, 2022 I've jammed mine on...... It's easier to do than you think it is. I will go hang my head in shame. no, i am confident you fixed it properly before flying it! it’s the fact that the maintainer didn’t fix there mistake before finishing the job and returning the plane to service that is so shameful. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 3 Quote
Sixstring2k Posted January 29, 2022 Report Posted January 29, 2022 52 minutes ago, kortopates said: no, i am confident you fixed it properly before flying it! it’s the fact that the maintainer didn’t fix there mistake before finishing the job and returning the plane to service that is so shameful. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Perfectly said. They knew they screwed up and just left it. 1 Quote
Yetti Posted January 29, 2022 Report Posted January 29, 2022 2 hours ago, kortopates said: no, i am confident you fixed it properly before flying it! it’s the fact that the maintainer didn’t fix there mistake before finishing the job and returning the plane to service that is so shameful. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Yep I was thinking that today. Y'all live in my head you know. It's not that they jammed the seat, it's that they did not figure it out and make it right. When I work on the plane it is always "better than factory". That way no one knew I was there. Funny story my dad and grandpa were building shop/barns at the same time. A licensed electrician did my grandpas. We did my dad's. When we finished my dads and then seeing my grandpas, I said there is no way they will pass ours. The reason being is ours was way more neatly done than the licensed pro. box was labeled, wires in right corners in the box. It's the little things. All the screws in the plates up and down, 1 1 Quote
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