Yes that’s where the V brace was attached. They attach with regular AN3 bolts. Unless you take the windshield out you will have to put bolts back in there as there’s no room to reinstall rivets.

I don't believe that the "factory" float kit included a v-brace they are all aftermarket via various methods !!!

Mapleflt

Can anyone give me some advice on a V brace? I have one to put in, I bought it because I was just alarmed at how squeaky the windshield was. Is it a good idea? Will it drive me crazy with the visibility? I have never even sat in a cessna with one.

I have flown airplanes with them and never noticed a visibility problem. You get used to it pretty quick. Atlee Dodge now includes the 170 on their STC. (they didn't until recently)

I purchased my 170B in March of 2017 and flew it without the brace on wheels until it was put onto floats in August. In all honesty it doesn't detract at all from visibility, now I hardly even notice it but you will be very tempted to use it as a handle, don't !!!!!

Mapleflt

I’m almost positive that you should have bolts there even without a V-brace. My 170 didn’t have a V-brace but I’m pretty sure it still had some bolts installed there.

The bolts sticking out with nuts are visible in this picture of my old 170.

I just looked up the part numbers for you in the 170A and 170B parts manuals. The bolts are AN3-21A (stock, without V brace), AN960-10L washer and AN365-1032 nut. These two bolts are the inboard attach bolts for the fitting which connects the forward wing spar to the fuselage carry though spar. I would consider the aircraft NOT airworthy without these installed. Please do not fly the aircraft without replacing these bolts, not even to get the airplane to a place to have the bolts installed. This is a safety of flight issue.

Tim, A&P IA

sorry if I sound a little harsh

daedaluscan wrote:Can anyone give me some advice on a V brace? I have one to put in, I bought it because I was just alarmed at how squeaky the windshield was. Is it a good idea? Will it drive me crazy with the visibility? I have never even sat in a cessna with one.

You stop noticing it after about 10 seconds, other than it's there when you need a place to stabilize yourself in some bumps other than your buddy's knee. Highly recommended. It used to drive me nuts when the windshield would rack and squeak on rough ground.

Akgreg's:

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daedaluscan wrote:Can anyone give me some advice on a V brace? I have one to put in, I bought it because I was just alarmed at how squeaky the windshield was. Is it a good idea? Will it drive me crazy with the visibility? I have never even sat in a cessna with one.

My old v-less 170's windshield used to squeek and pop alarmingly when I taxied across rough ground.
None of that with my v-braced 180.
I like it, no viz issues to speak of.
I often fly along with one hand on the v-brace, as per the photo Zane posted.
Adding that much steel, you might run into compass issues- that'd be about the only downside IMHO.

Nice to have something to hold on to for takeoff also.
DENNY

DENNY wrote:Nice to have something to hold on to for takeoff also.
DENNY

I'm too busy holding onto the yoke and throttle to grab anything else

I like to think of mine as somewhat of a bird deflector too...

Great thanks for all the input. Its that squeaking and creaking on taxiing rough ground that has inspired me to get it.

I have an April update planned on the plane, Sportsman kit, new engine mount, starter, alternator, firewall cleanup, baffle freshen. The v brace can go on the list.

Mapleflt wrote:I purchased my 170B in March of 2017 and flew it without the brace on wheels until it was put onto floats in August. In all honesty it doesn't detract at all from visibility, now I hardly even notice it but you will be very tempted to use it as a handle, don't !!!!!

Mapleflt

Why can you not grab it? I've seen some with a sticker on them saying "do not hold", and I've seen guys use them as handles. I did the latter and have never gotten a clear reason why I can't...

And like Tim, I would consider this an airworthy issue and would not fly the plane without the hardware installed.

A1Skinner wrote:

Mapleflt wrote:I purchased my 170B in March of 2017 and flew it without the brace on wheels until it was put onto floats in August. In all honesty it doesn't detract at all from visibility, now I hardly even notice it but you will be very tempted to use it as a handle, don't !!!!!

Mapleflt

Why can you not grab it? I've seen some with a sticker on them saying "do not hold", and I've seen guys use them as handles. I did the latter and have never gotten a clear reason why I can't...

And like Tim, I would consider this an airworthy issue and would not fly the plane without the hardware installed.

The Cessna ones were small diameter thin tubing and broke/ bent very easily. Pretty much everyone one I see seems to be bent.
Atlee Dodge and maybe a few others makes one with larger diameter tubing that you could do chin ups on and not bend.

Also I don’t know why I thought those were rivets ever. Disregard my original stupidity.

Thanks for the explanation! My 180 had a factory float kit and the V brace was strong. Then again I'm pretty light and didn't do chin ups on it...

The V Brace was not a part of the 170 float kit. They are a very good addition, however, even if you never go to floats. I found the V Brace a very good addition on skis especially. Mine came from Atlee, and you could use it for pull ups.

MTV