Align - Shouldn't you be warrantying these failed clutches?

[Rototerrier]

And if not...give us a 5 or 10 pack we can purchase...and DONT CHARGE $19 each. That is an obsurd price for a crappy clutch!

1st Failure at 30
2nd at 5

on my 3rd.

HeliWholesalers was kind enough to have given me this 3rd one when they also sent me ball links to replace the crooked ones in my kit. It is still going strong with 5 flights and has not started catching at idle - yet.

I have yet another clutch on standby that I recently ordered from ReadyHeli when the 2nd failed. It is pretty ridiculous that I should have to keep spare clutches on hand.

I have well over 200 flights on my TREX600 and JUST replaced the first clutch and liner...only because it was STARTING to catch...it never broke!! Preventative maintenance!!

ALIGN - Shouldn't you be warrantying these clutches?

[NolanManley]

This and main gears too. But don't hold your breath. :roll:

[GenReaper]

I chewed up another main gear first flight of the day today, had spares as this is a regular occurance, then what do you know fix the main gear and the next flight the clutch explodes.

Good one Align, pick you act up please, this is beyond a joke.

7 main gears and 2 clutches later i am still unhappy with my Trex700N purchase.

Ive spent over $200 AUS on breakages on crappy parts with very little amount of flights that should not happen and NO it is not builder error.

[NolanManley]

I wonder if there is another brand of clutch that would work on the700N. Nothing fancy about it like the Hirobo clutches with a shaft in them. Maybe a Raptor clutch even!!! :rolling

[SederGraphics]

I just blew another clutch with 15 flights on it. Luckily the bell was in good shape. Hopefully align fixes this, or a good after market clutch comes out.

..I've also had to replace the main gear as well. Definitely have extra gears and clutches in my flight bag.

Kraig
Sonora, CA

[NolanManley]

Hate to do this but..........What the fastest and best way to change the clutch. How about a "700N Clutch Changing Challenge Contest" at some major funflys this year! :rolling :lolol :nanabobo

You know I saw a lot of 700N's fly at Orlando and I don't think I saw one clutch misshap. There were a few Main Gears replaced though. 4 or 5 on one Electric 700N alone!!! :YeaBaby: That one was a SICK monster of a heli though.

[Dflyer]

Hi guys,

i also have had serious problems with the Align clutches, but good news, Quick UK will be releasing a clutch for the 700 within a few weeks i heard !

So go Quick UK !

Grtz,
Dirk

[MrMel]

or a good after market clutch comes out.


QuickUK's clutch will be out in a week or two I think.

/edit: I should have pressed refresh...

[duke666]

Perhaps we should get Budd to start making gears too! You know you'll only ever have to buy one?

Duke

[GenReaper]

Personaly ive had a gutfull of the 700, i am sitting on the fence and going to buy an Avante i reckon.

Pitty cause it could be a great machine and my 600E is flawless but this thing spends more time on my workbench than in the air, its just not worth it.

[Rototerrier]

Personaly ive had a gutfull of the 700, i am sitting on the fence and going to buy an Avante i reckon.

Pitty cause it could be a great machine and my 600E is flawless but this thing spends more time on my workbench than in the air, its just not worth it.

Not sure I would go avant either. With the new Vibe 90 coming and the possiblity of Avant getting their act together, I would not jump ship just yet. I am going to just hold out until all the dust settles before making any major moves.

At the moment, as long as I can keep my clutch and gear together, parts are plentiful and cheap. I would just like to see the Gear and Clutch come in quantities and for less. $19 seems a bit high for something that only lasts a couple flights.

[Kinger]

When you are replacing the clutch, are you trying to re-line the bell at the same time to tighten up the gap between the clutch and the liner? No guarantee of the clutch not breaking, but by putting a sheet of paper behind the liner, you can keep the clutch from having to spread as far to engage.

With the above said, I'd still like to see Quick UK come out with a better version of the clutch and I will be buying one for sure.

[Rototerrier]

This last broken clutch was installed with a brand new bell. So no, I have not relined...but technically, it was a brand new liner. I might try that next time. Going to just keep my fingers crossed for now that this one last.

[rcmarty]

i wonder is this has something to do with an alignment problem.

Not side to side but vertically ..

If the centerline of the engine is vertical but the clutchbell (for example) was a bit off angle (lets say 1 degree to exagerate) from vertical then the rotating bell would pull up and down on the shoe twice per rotation. I'd think that it wouldn't take long for the fatigue to set in.

Just me thoughts

Would ty into the thoery of the fixed locations in the frame (non-adjustable) and the cnc cutter being a bit out or in need of replacing. Of course that would also change the mesh for the maingear also but that's old new now.

and or the sloopy bearings would do the same thing

and a report of the clutchbell being hot but no loss in power experinced. friction would be my thought

some thoughts outloud

Martin :)

[SederGraphics]

Funny, last night I just posted that I had been through 2 clutches. Well I went flying this morning, got 5 tanks in and, now it's three clutches. I was practicing tic-tocs up and on it's side, then came in from a high auto and with the engine idling I could hear that grinding of a broken clutch again. Luckily for the T-Rex 500 stand-by.

I think I need to re-check my bearings that hold the starter shaft to make sure they are good and the motor mount to make sure it's not loose.

I'm sick of buying $19 clutches that last about 20 flights. I'm sending this last one back to Align. Looking forward to the QuickUK clutch upgrade!!!!!!!!!!!


Kraig
Sonora, CA

[cbdane]

i wonder is this has something to do with an alignment problem.

Not side to side but vertically ..

If the centerline of the engine is vertical but the clutchbell (for example) was a bit off angle (lets say 1 degree to exagerate) from vertical then the rotating bell would pull up and down on the shoe twice per rotation. I'd think that it wouldn't take long for the fatigue to set in.

Just me thoughts

I think there is something like this going on. That was similar to my theory here.

http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?p=941480#post941480

I think that any misalignment is going to cause the clutch feet to move in and out on every revolution leading to fatigue. I thinking that's why some folks have problems and others, like me, have never lost one.

[SederGraphics]

I think your exactly right. I would assume that those with clutch problems are also breaking teeth on their main gear as I have.

Does any one have ideas how to correct this or know of a post on correcting the alignment?


Kraig
Sonora, CA

[HELINHAWAII]

D*MNIT!!! I just put in my third clutch today and wouldn't you know it, had about a 1sec hot start on the first run with it. :arggg: My second clutch had maybe two gallons on it. Anyhow, I'm getting really tired of this sh** with the clutches, gears, clutch block, etc, etc! I along with everyone else who has had these problems are patiently waiting for some resolution with either Align (not holding my breath there) or the aftermarket companies coming to the rescue.

I'm really thinking of going to a Blitz Avro or a Vibe 90 as from what I've heard these are quality helis.

Align... you are about to loose a customer!

[Helico-pteron]

LOL, why is everyone so surprised Align parts are failing?:dontknow

You could buy a Synergy and pay $55 for a main gear.:Bang

Don't expect Align to help, just upgrade.:thumbup:

Good luck guys.

[rcmarty]

That would be my next thing to overcome. How does one know if your out of alignment ?

One would need to make a jig of some sort to check the pinion block.
Might need a brainstorming session to come up with a good checker. There are penty of sharp helifreaks out there. Then align could make the guage and sell it .. lol

I have about 18 flights on mine , my clutch is still original , all these posts aren't making me feel all that confident i must say.

It was a bit stiff from the getgo , so i got a nice tight fit , a bit tight but a hotstart got that all fixed up ..lol .. the plan was to let it wear in but that's how i played out.

Not alot to be done when putting togeather. What i do is leave the motor and motor mont bolts a touch loose. Then i wiggle it an try the starting shaft, i tinker for a bit till i get it so it moves the easiest. The 700 didn't make alot of difference (there was a bit to gain) but the 600n was a bit drastic , i could go from little to nothing to almost a notchy feel. But in a fixed setup like the align products that's all there is to be had.
600n doing well , 700 doing well also.
If i could get rid of all this flipping snow , i can give some more 700 data.

Martin :)

[HELINHAWAII]

I have about 18 flights on mine , my clutch is still original , all these posts aren't making me feel all that confident i must say.

Just practice your autos...!!! Errr, maybe not...that's when all my clutches have snapped! Or at least that's when I noticed it...

[HELINHAWAII]

LOL, why is everyone so surprised Align parts are failing?:dontknow

Well, had a 450 and 500 and both were bullet proof. NEVER had a problem with either. All the 600's N and E I have seen have been so as well.

I'd like to think that most RC companies realize that this is a niche market and would do just about anything to hang on to their loyal customers.

Flamesuit on...:flamedevil It is in my experience that most Asian companies will not take fault of maybe sending out some bad kits and at least offer frames, gears, clutch housings and clutches at a discounted price for those with problems... at the very least!

[GenReaper]

Thats like getting blood from a stone.

Personaly i belive they would be smiling as they make more off the parts that break than selling the kits.

Shame they may loose many customers that WILL move to other brand choppers.

[HELINHAWAII]

Thats like getting blood from a stone.

Personaly i belive they would be smiling as they make more off the parts that break than selling the kits.

Shame they may loose many customers that WILL move to other brand choppers.

Trust me... I know!

[NolanManley]

Flamesuit on...:flamedevil It is in my experience that most Asian companies will not take fault of maybe sending out some bad kits and at least offer frames, gears, clutch housings and clutches at a discounted price for those with problems... at the very least!


:cheers Well said and proved by FACT and History. Century Heli anyone. :YeaBaby: