Clamp in exhaust cavity abrading tubular frame

[PT20J]

During this year’s annual inspection, my IA noticed that a clamp on each side that attaches the nose wheel well sides to the frame was not tight and was abrading the frame tube. Although the IPC shows it bolted on, mine was riveted. I drilled out the rivets, cleaned everything up. Fortunately, the wear was only through the epoxy primer and hadn’t damaged the tube yet. I wrapped some anti-chafe tape around the tube and bolted it back together with #8 screws and stop nuts. So, the next time you have the exhaust cavities off, you might want to check this.

[A64Pilot]

Good tip, but I’ll add every once in a while replace the tape.

You’re looking to ensure no corrosion on the tube of course. Over the years years I’ve seen significant damage to tubes covered by clamps, tape etc. 

My airplane had some masking tape on a tube under the pilots side of the instrument panel, the tape had been there for decades. There was no reason for it that I could see. I removed it and there was significant rust under it. I’m thinking it was put on at the factory as some kind of label maybe.