Instrument Panel Shock Mounts

[8424]

I'm ready to put my instrument panel back together. I have new panel shock mounts.

I have done a lot of Google Images searches on 120/140 instrument panels. Some owners have completely redone the panels as a one piece panel without the original "floating" panel, with instruments mounted solid in the air frame without any shock mounting.

The old shock mounts were really sagging. I'm wondering how long it will be till the new mounts will be sagging. It would be easy to make a spacer to replace the shock mount and eliminate the sag problem, but I would assume that would be detrimental to my electric turn and bank gyro.

What do you all think about this?

Thanks.

Steve A H

[6468]

What I did on mine was to get a 3/4" dia. rubber bar, cut it to same length as my new rubber mounts & drilled a 3/8" dia. hole in the middle. Slide that over the new mount. Basically your making a rubber bushing. It changes the L/D ratio from 1":3/4" to 1":1 1/2", This eliminates the sag (but mount is still in shear). It is not a good practice to mount what was a floating (and some what cushioned) panel holding gyros to a direct mount. Remember our stationary panels are structural, landing stresses as well as engine vibrations are passed through the panel. There was a reason Cessna installed a "floating" panel.

Jim S

[8424]

Hi Jim.

the extra rubber "bushing" sounds like a good improvement to the shock mount. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll see if I can find a rubber bar. I don't think I have ever seen one. I probably have some rubber laying around in the hangar that would work.

Steve A H

[6643]

How about 3/8" id Mil-6000-6 hose?

[8424]

Thanks, John for this suggestion. Much more likely to get a piece of this.

Steve A H