1975–1986 Cessna Aircraft Model 172 Illustrated Parts Catalog (P/N P696-12)

• 662-page PDF of Cessna Aircraft Company Illustrated Parts Catalog P696-12, dated August 1, 1996, for 1975-1986 fixed-gear Model 172-series aircraft.
• Exploded parts breakdowns cover complete wing assemblies, standard and long-range fuel-tank installations, integral fuel-cell structure, spars, skins and stringers, flaps, wing struts, stabilizer, elevator, fin, and rudder.
• Fuselage coverage reaches from the firewall, front and center sections, doorposts, and landing-gear bulkhead through the tailcone, doors and latches, windshield, seats, upholstery, insulation, soundproofing, instrument panels, and restraint systems.
• Landing-gear and flight-control figures identify nose-gear struts, shimmy dampers, main-gear installations, Cleveland and McCauley wheel/brake assemblies, master cylinders, rudder and brake pedals, control yokes, and aileron, elevator, trim, flap, and rudder systems.
• Powerplant listings distinguish O-320-E2D, O-320-H2AD, O-320-D2J, and O-360-A4N installations, with propeller, cowling, oil-cooler, exhaust, engine-baffle, winterization, cabin-heat, fuel, primer, and vacuum-system parts.
• Electrical coverage separates 12-volt and 24-volt configurations and includes battery boxes, contactors, alternator controls, external-power equipment, panel lighting, landing and taxi lights, beacon and courtesy lights, plus floatplane- and air-conditioner-specific installations.

Coverage and serial identification

Built for parts identification rather than instruction, this factory catalog is suited to owners, restorers, and maintenance personnel who can verify the aircraft model and serial number before ordering. The model-year table covers 172M serials 17263459-17267584, 172N 17267585-17274009, 172P from 17274010 within the catalog's 1981-1986 coverage, and 172Q 17275869-17276516. Reims/Cessna coverage comprises F172M serials F17201235-F17201514, F172N F17201515-F17202039, and F172P from F17202040 within the 1981-1986 entries. It cross-references the 172, Skyhawk, Skyhawk II, Cutlass, Cutlass II, and Reims/Cessna F172 names to their certified model designations. The retractable-gear 172RG is not covered.

The overlap between later 172P and 172Q serial blocks makes the model designation as important as the serial itself. The catalog also marks the change from the 12-volt installation through 17269309/F17201639 to the 24-volt installation beginning at 17269310/F17201640. Figure-level codes further separate floatplane equipment, air-conditioning provisions, openable-window doors, standard versus long-range tanks, and integral fuel-cell wings.

What the catalog pages provide

Each exploded view is keyed to a hierarchical parts list showing the Cessna part number, description, quantity per assembly, attaching hardware, and figure-specific usable-on code. Separate treatment of left- and right-hand assemblies, non-interchangeable parts, alternate parts, and "when exhausted use" replacements helps prevent a later part from being applied to an earlier serial without checking its coded usage. The front alphabetical index locates components by name; the rear numerical index locates every figure in which a part number appears. The introductory key also explains NP, AR, bulk-item, and Cessna S-, AN-, and NAS-standard hardware references.

Representative drawing titles include Wing Structure Assembly - Long Range, Integral Fuel Cell Structure Assembly, Nose Gear Shock Strut Assembly, Main Landing Gear Wheel & Brake Assembly, Aileron Control System, and Electrical Equipment Installation - 24 Volt. Paint-code charts for 1975-1986, finish-and-trim plate decoding, and upholstery ordering tables support color-matched interior and exterior parts. The McCauley brake listing identifies rivet-set kit R561.

Important scope limits

This is a parts catalog, not a service manual. It does not provide complete removal and installation sequences, troubleshooting routines, adjustment procedures, overhaul instructions, wiring schematics, or general torque and wear-limit tables. Engine-component detail is referred to the applicable Lycoming parts catalog, while supplier-equipment disassembly and overhaul data remain in separate supplier publications. Radio and autopilot equipment is referred to the Cessna Electronics Manual; accessory and service kits use a separate index. One wing-structure note specifically directs repair and replacement work to the Cessna service manual.

A key parts-selection trap is carrying a usable-on code from one figure to another; the catalog states that each code applies only to the figure on which it appears. The wheel-and-brake listings also restrict certain assemblies to matched combinations. For STC-modified aircraft, Cessna warns that changed interfaces and loads can invalidate stock inspection criteria and affect adjacent structure. Use this catalog for parts identification and repair planning, not as stand-alone repair instructions; installation, inspection, and return-to-service work must follow current approved maintenance data and applicable certificated-personnel requirements.

This edition supersedes all earlier 172-series parts catalogs dated July 1, 1974 through December 15, 1985 and incorporates Temporary Revision 1 dated December 10, 1993 and Temporary Revision 2 dated February 17, 1995.