[STEVE]

STEVE on August 20, 2024 at 9:08 am #22711

Brendan;

I need to back track a little. Do the other screws that hold the landing light bezel in place look like a 6-32 or 8-32 threaded screw? Or do they look like a pointed coarse threaded sheet metal screw? 

Since the landing light bezel is not a structural part, it’s very likely that it was held in place with a sheet metal type screw and is screwed into clip nut

Can you see the nut on the back? with a mirror? and flashlight?

If you can, does it look like it’s threaded?

If it looks threaded, then someone in the past probably tried to hold the bezel with a sheet metal screw, thereby screwing up the threads. If that’s the case, you’ll need to tap the nut before installing a new screw.

Let me know what you find.

Steve

 

[Brendan O’Rourke]

Brendan O’Rourke on August 19, 2024 at 6:16 pm #22710

Steve, thanks for the response. We’re of the same mind…this screw has to be a standard thread; I think you’re confirming my suspicion that someone before me used the wrong retaining screw and buggered the anchor nut threads. #6-32 was the first size I tried and it bound up and damage the first couple threads. I’ll see if I can tease the threads back with a thread chaser; if not I may have to replace the anchor nut. The machine screw that is currently in there has a thread finer than -32; I suspect 5-40 or 6-40 which seems un-aviation like.

[STEVE]

STEVE on August 19, 2024 at 12:07 pm #22706

Hi Brendan,
I rarely see any screw in a Piper that is not 6/32, 8/32 or 10/32. These are what are known as machine screws with a constant diameter shank of different lengths. The part number for the screw you’re looking for is an AN526 truss head. For a 6/32 order AN526-632-xx The xx signifies the length of the shank in 1/16 inch steps. For instance the part number for a 6/32 diameter screw with a half inch shank length is AN526-632R8.
Aircraft Spruce and Specialty (www.aircraftspruce.com) sells individual screws–
You may also find what are sometimes called sheet metal screws, which typically are pointed on the end opposite the head, and have a decreasing diameter shank. These are used for  interiors or non structural applications such as securing and interior access plate or a small sized exterior  inspection plate.

 

[Brendan O’Rourke]

Brendan O’Rourke on August 17, 2024 at 3:45 pm #22705

The phillips head landing light retainer screw on my Archer PA-28-181 is about worn out. I’m having trouble identifying the size and it’s not called out in the parts manual. It is definitely not #6-32, but could be #5-40 or #6-40, or maybe #4-48? I trying not to buy packages of screws I’ll never need again; anyone know the actual size. It measures 1″ long.