737FlightSim.com Throttle Quadrant Removal Technical

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TECHNICAL

THROTTLE QUADRANT REMOVAL

737 Classic Flight Deck instrument panel

Prepping the Throttle Quadrant!:

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After reading the web pages of other 737 simulator builders, and hearing some of the stories of how the whole aircraft is built around the throttle quadrant, I must say I agree.

The first step is prepping the screws with a rust remover, like "Liquid Wrench®" or K&W "Knock'er Loose®", each screw is soaked twice a day for two days, one of the problems is the phillips head screws slots have become filled with paint and 30 years worth of crud, so that the screwdriver bit will not bottom out in the slot. Using compressed air blow out the tops of the phillips head screw. Then fill the head Slots with rust remover and let them sit overnight.

In other words let the rust remover work, take your time! Or you may have to drill out some of the Screws!


Things you must remove (not in any order):


Remove throttle Quadrant Side access panels
Two Cannon connectors (front right Lower)
Stabilizer trim drive chain guard (front right)
Stabilizer trim drive chain (there is a master link)(front right)
Stabilizer trim drive chain block (front lower right)
Speed brake linkage (front left)
Speed brake pivot arm (allows 1/4" extensions to reach throttle quadrant screw)
Stabilizer trim position drive cable (front left)
Parking brake linkage (Lower front side left)
Flaps cable turnbuckles (Lower front side right)
Flaps pulleys (Lower front side right) (2 pulleys 4 bolts)
Cable clamps (attached to throttle Quadrant, or TQ opening)
Stabilizer brake cable standoff clamp (underside)
Stabilizer brake cable bracket (underside)
Aft Electronics Wiring
Control Cables have enough slack or cut to allow throttle quadrant removal
20 phillips head throttle quadrant screws
Anything still holding the throttle quadrant in place

Some tips:


Click on Image to see a larger image

The phillips head screws are a point size number 2, and the best screwdriver bit is an APEX 480-2-ACR2. The APEX 480-2-ACR2 has an anti-camout tip. This bit has ridges which grip the screw slot to help keep the head engaged with the screwdriver bit. Check the bits you purchase to make sure they have the ridges on all faces or on the face used to remove screws.

I mounted the screwdriver bit in a 3/8" drive adaptor, so that it could be driven with POWER TOOLS!

The hex bolts are a 5/16" and/or 3/8" socket size. Some linkage bolts are press fit, and require the use of a simple c-clamp type press to remove them without damaging the threads. You will need extensions (1/4" drive for some locations), swivel adaptors.

Wiss Metalmaster Compound action snips M3R with the yellow handles, can be used to cut wiring or cable clamps and they are easy on your hands!

The throttle quadrant has two pulleys mounted on the rear. They need to clear the rudder cross tube. If you position the captain's rudder pedals "Forward," using the hand crank, and the First Officers' rudder pedals full "Aft," using the F/O hand crank, this will position the cross tube in the most aft position.

Since I will not be using any of the existing wiring in the aft electronics console, I used the snips to cut the wiring flush with the bottom of the throttle quadrant. There is a cable clamp directly below where the wires exit the throttle quadrant, once this clamp is opened the wires may be pulled from the throttle quadrant.

Lift the front of the throttle quadrant and move it forward, so that the rear two pulleys clear the opening, then UP and it's out!

Some tips from James Price 737simguy use a small (Flight deck door opening is only 21") shop vacuum to clean up the flight deck, all the screws and washers will be on the bottom, and use a camera to document what you have done, or about to do!

I may have missed something, so let me know your suggestions! They are always welcome!


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Page last updated on May 21, 2001
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