Mooney M20J Seat Leaning Right - What part is this?

[dwanzor]

I have the articulating seat on the pilot side of my M20J 1984 model. 

The seat is out for annual, and in looking at the under side it appears there is a bent part that stretches left to right across the back bottom of the seat - see photo. 

1. I assume this part is not correct - not supposed to be bent like this, correct? 

2. Does anyone know the part number for this part? 

3. Where is the best place to potentially source this? 

When the seat is all the way down, it sits perfectly flat. 

When you start to articulate the seat upwards, the left side gets higher than the right side, it also leans from front left to back right. 

Edited Thursday at 10:09 PM by dwanzor

[N201MKTurbo]

I would think it got that way by cranking the crank further than it was meant to go. 
 

As in demand as those seats are, finding used parts is not likely.

I would find a good TIG welder and have it repaired.

My step dad (rip) could straighten that out like it had never been bent. I probably could too. He taught me most of his secrets.

[ArtVandelay]

I would think it got that way by cranking the crank further than it was meant to go. 
 
As in demand as those seats are, finding used parts is not likely.
I would find a good TIG welder and have it repaired.
My step dad (rip) could straighten that out like it had never been bent. I probably could too. He taught me most of his secrets.

Looks like someone already tried to weld it, look at the bottom of the bar where the bent is?

[N201MKTurbo]

1 hour ago, ArtVandelay said:

Looks like someone already tried to weld it, look at the bottom of the bar where the bent is?

Isn’t that where the bell crank is welded on that the screw connects to? I think that is a factory weld.

[1980Mooney]

4 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said:

Isn’t that where the bell crank is welded on that the screw connects to? I think that is a factory weld.

Correct

You can see it better in the pictures that @LANCECASPER posted when selling his seats

Articulating Seat Frames or Complete Seats - SOLD - Avionics / Parts Classifieds - Mooneyspace.com - A community for Mooney aircraft owners and enthusiasts

[1980Mooney]

20 hours ago, dwanzor said:

I have the articulating seat on the pilot side of my M20J 1984 model. 

The seat is out for annual, and in looking at the under side it appears there is a bent part that stretches left to right across the back bottom of the seat - see photo. 

1. I assume this part is not correct - not supposed to be bent like this, correct? 

2. Does anyone know the part number for this part? 

3. Where is the best place to potentially source this? 

When the seat is all the way down, it sits perfectly flat. 

When you start to articulate the seat upwards, the left side gets higher than the right side, it also leans from front left to back right. 

I can see from your posts that you are a relatively new Mooney owner. 

"1. I assume this part is not correct - not supposed to be bent like this, correct?' and "When you start to articulate the seat upwards, the left side gets higher than the right side, it also leans from front left to back right."

• There are older posts here that highlight that heavy pilot/pax re: 300 lbs (even 200 lbs in turbulence) will damage the articulating seats.  

"2. Does anyone know the part number for this part?"

• A good place to start is the Illustrated Parts Catalog and the Service Manuals found in the Downloads Section (you can also find the M20J manuals free on the internet but MooneySpace Downloads is your best source).
• I think you find that is it #26 in the parts diagrams 140216-501 "Bellcrank Assembly"

"3. Where is the best place to potentially source this? "

• At this point have to chuckle - not trying to be a smart ass but after all you did buy a Mooney.  Mooney owners need to repair & rebuild and scrounge in many (most?) cases.  Yes the Factory does make some parts but this is not one of them any longer.
• Articulated seats are one of the most sought after parts yet least available.  In the post last year @LANCECASPER had a used pair for sale for $3,300 and wanted $1,500 for one base frame alone without cushions.  You will not find them in at any aircraft salvage scrap yard - they are the first thing sold.
• They are made out of aluminum.  LASAR used to rebuild them but that was more than 10 years ago before they sold and moved to Oregon.  They would reinforce the aluminum.  I don't think they do it now.
  • One owner posted here that he made one out of 4130 steel tubing -"cut and drilled the tubing myself and had a local FAA repair station do the welding (exhaust overhaul shop). The only paper work was $75 for the welding job. Don't bother with the original aluminum parts they will break again. I have seen four of them broken"  

Your best bet is to have the seat disassembled and straighten/weld/repair/add doublers for likely cracks that you find.

 

[Yetti]

unbolt the crank assembly

Place the lower side roller assembly on a 2x4. Crib the back frame.  then put your foot on the higher side roller assembly and bend till straight.