95061-180 – Piper Aircraft OEM Aileron Hinge Bushing
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Overview
The 95061-180 is a flight-critical, genuine Piper Aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) bushing, specifically engineered for the high-load, oscillating environment of the aileron hinge points. This is not a simple spacer; it is a precision-machined sleeve bearing designed to function as a sacrificial wear component. Its primary function is to provide a durable, low-friction bearing surface for the aileron hinge pins or bolts, ensuring smooth aileron movement while protecting the more expensive hinge brackets and spar structure from wear and elongation.
Manufactured from a high-quality bearing bronze alloy, chosen for its excellent strength and tribological (anti-friction and anti-wear) properties, this bushing is designed to wear predictably over time. Its replacement restores the joint to its original tolerance, preventing control system "slop" and the potential for dangerous control surface flutter. Using the genuine Piper OEM part is the only way to guarantee the correct material, dimensions, and press-fit characteristics required for this primary flight control application.
Key Features
Genuine Piper Aircraft OEM Part: Guarantees the part is fabricated to the exact Piper engineering drawing for material, dimensions, and press-fit tolerances.
Sacrificial Wear Component: Intentionally designed to be the primary wear item in the aileron hinge, protecting the hinge brackets and spar structure.
High-Quality Bearing Bronze Alloy: Manufactured from a specific bronze alloy (such as SAE 660) providing high compressive strength, corrosion resistance, and a low coefficient of friction.
For Aileron Hinge Points: The specified bushing for aileron hinge assemblies on a wide range of popular Piper aircraft.
Ensures Smooth Control Movement: Reduces friction in the hinge, contributing to a responsive and precise feel for the pilot.
Prevents Hinge Elongation: Absorbs wear that would otherwise damage the hinge bracket holes, maintaining the integrity of the flight control system geometry.
Flight-Critical Component: Directly impacts the function and safety of the primary roll control system.
Technical Specifications
Part Number: 95061-180 (sometimes listed as 95061-00-180)
Component Type: Bushing / Sleeve Bearing
OEM Authority: Piper Aircraft
Application: Aileron Hinge Pivot
Material: Bronze Alloy (per Piper specification). Must be confirmed by Piper documentation.
Dimensions (ID, OD, Length): Per Piper Engineering Drawing 95061. These are precision dimensions for a press-fit installation.
Governing Specification: Piper Aircraft Engineering Drawing 95061.
Aircraft Compatibility
This OEM aileron hinge bushing is a standard component for a vast fleet of Piper's most successful single and twin-engine aircraft.
Primary Piper Aircraft Platforms:
PA-28 Series (Cherokee, Warrior, Archer, Arrow, Dakota)
PA-32 Series (Cherokee Six, Lance, Saratoga)
PA-34 Seneca
PA-44 Seminole
PA-46 Series (Malibu, Mirage, Matrix, M-Class)
Note: Verification of applicability is the absolute responsibility of the installer. The aircraft's current Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) for its specific serial number is the final authority for confirming part number eligibility.
Applications
Sole Application: To be press-fit into the aileron hinge brackets (both on the wing spar and the aileron itself) to serve as the pivot bearing for the hinge pins or bolts.
Why Choose 95061-180?
The integrity and precision of the flight control system are paramount. Worn aileron hinge bushings introduce free play ("slop") into the roll control system, which can degrade handling qualities, lead to pilot-induced oscillations, and in severe cases, contribute to the onset of control surface flutter—a potentially catastrophic aeroelastic instability. The genuine Piper OEM 95061-180 bushing is the only part guaranteed to be made from the correct bearing bronze with the precise outer diameter for a proper interference fit and the correct inner diameter (after reaming) for the hinge pin. Using non-certified bushings risks rapid wear, incorrect fit, or material failure.
The 95061-180 bushing exemplifies the critical role of plain bearings in aerospace mechanisms. Operating under the relatively low-speed, high-load, oscillating conditions of an aileron hinge, a plain bronze bushing offers several advantages over rolling element bearings. It provides a much larger contact area, distributing the load over a greater surface and offering superior resistance to the high impact loads and static indentation (brinelling) that can damage ball bearings. Bearing bronze (typically C93200 / SAE 660 leaded-tin bronze) is specifically chosen for its tribological properties. The lead phase within the bronze matrix acts as a solid lubricant, smearing onto the mating surfaces to reduce friction and prevent galling, especially crucial if the grease applied during assembly is eventually displaced. Furthermore, bronze exhibits excellent embeddability, meaning small contaminant particles can become harmlessly embedded in the softer bearing surface rather than scoring the harder steel hinge pin. This combination of load capacity, low friction, and contamination resistance makes the precision bronze bushing the optimal engineering solution for this demanding flight control application.
Note: This is a flight-critical primary flight control component. It is a wear item and must be inspected for excessive play in accordance with the aircraft maintenance manual. Removal of the old bushing and installation of the new one is a press-fit operation that requires the correct-sized arbors and a hydraulic press. This work must be performed by a certified A&P mechanic. After installation, the bushing must be reamed to its final, precise inside diameter to ensure a perfect, close-tolerance fit for the hinge pin.
Documentation
No public-facing OEM or regulatory documentation was located for this specific part number. All technical data, installation procedures, reaming specifications, and wear limits for the 95061-180 bushing are proprietary to Piper Aircraft and are contained within the official Maintenance Manual and Illustrated Parts Catalog for the applicable aircraft model.