Adjustment Of Door Latch Assembly - Piper Navajo Chieftain PA-31-350 Service Manual

NAVAJO CHEFTAIN SERVICE MANUAL
g. Align the holes in the tube assemblies and bushing, and insert the roll pin.
h. The safety latch actuator rod (7) assembly should be connected to the safety latch (1) stop
bracket assembly with washer and cotter pin before installing in door assembly.
i. Install safety latch mechanism into door assembly and adjust the eccentric bushing (4) in latch to
position the safety latch with the cam on the tube assembly. Install the spring (6) between the safety latch
(1) and door assembly and check for proper engagement of safety latch with the cam. Tighten bolt holding
mechanism.
j. Adjust the screw (11) on the door mechanism to remove any excess travel in the outer handle
and secure with locknut.
k. Install the protector panel behind the stems, and. the door trim panel assemblies with the proper
screws.
4-71. ADJUSTMENT OF DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY. (Refer to Figure 4-12.)
a.
Remove aft inner door panel.
b.
The safety latch mechanism can be adjusted by loosening the pivot bolt and rotating the
eccentric bushing to position the safety latch into its proper position with the cam on the tube assembly,
which is for the pawl to drop into the cam notch just as the outside door handle becomes flush with the
outside skin. Retighten the pivot bolt to lock bushing in correct adjustment.
c. The outside door handle safety lock unlatching mechanism is adjusted by loosening the locknut
on the adjusting screw, located next to the inner handle, and turning the screw as required to completely
disengage the safety lock before the torque tube starts to rotate as the outside handle is actuated. Secure
the locknut after adjustment is complete.
d. Close the lower door without closing the upper door. Completely close the latch, checking to
assure safety latch has engaged (inside handle will not open without pushing release button). Check the
latch plate spacing on both sides of the door by looking between the door and frame. Ascertain that there is
at least 1/16 clearance between the shoulder on the latch pawl and the latch plate and that the pawl is
completely engaged to the top of the latch plate notch. The latch plate clearance can be changed by
changing the number of washers between the latch plate and the door frame. The pawl engagement can be
adjusted by loosening the latch plate screws and sliding the plate vertically. The adjustment of the door
"pull in" should be made simultaneously with the engagement adjustment. This can be done by sliding the
latch plate horizontally until the door pulls in so that the door skin is flush with the fuselage skin.
Retighten latch plate screws securely to hold adjustments. After the last latch adjustment is made, close the
door and recheck latch operation and pawl engagement.
e. The door safety pin to pin receptacle clearance should be 1/16". This is checked by closing the
bottom door until the latch pawls snap into the latch plates. Do not rotate handle to "lock" position. Look
between rear of door and door frame to see distance between the tip of the safety pin and the pin
receptacle. If this distance is not correct, adjust the pin actuator rod, inside the door, to obtain the correct
setting. Rotate the door handle to full closed position to check safety pin operation.
f.
The door ajar warning switches should be adjusted to turn out the warning light just as the latch
pawls contact the end of the slots in the latch plates. To accomplish this, turn the adjustment screws
(located under both latch plates) counterclockwise until the light goes out when the door is closed; then
fine trim each switch individually. Turn one switch adjustment screw clockwise one turn at a time until the
light will not go out as the latch is closed; then turn this screw one turn counterclockwise and check that
light goes out. Fine trim the other switch in the same manner. Open and close the door several times
watching the operation and indicator to ascertain that all latch and indicator parts operate properly.
Revised: 10/5/83
STRUCTURES
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