No More Crunchy Bearings - KDE Direct Thrusted Bearing Blocks

[QYT001]

Sorry to hear about the crash, it must have been a hard one. I've seen numerous pilots break the stock Align ones as well, so it's not uncommon with the high forces imparted by a 90-size Nitro. Finite-element analysis was used to create a design that can withstand 250lbs of force before yielding, so the forces are quite high to bend and break these with the high-grade AL 6061-T6 materials.

Finless may have more information on this, but I spoke with him earlier this week and his friend Kevin crashed three-times before finally breaking the blocks in a HARD inverted crash. Unfortunately, with limitations to weight and flight performance, there is always a trade-off between crash-proofness and 3D flying characteristics. ;)

"there is always a trade-off between crash-proofness and 3D flying characteristics" - I believe it should be designed two versions: for crash-proofness and for 3D flying characteristics, and everyone will deside which one meets their requirements.:YeaBaby:

[HeliSmith]

Yeah I guess seeing the bearing blocks bent after a crash would make it all that much worse. The thing is though that crash mechanics are just weird. I am not sure anything can be crash proof but these blocks look about as heavy duty as I would want to run. Added weight is never a good thing.

[rubbersoul]

I got mine over the weekend. To my surprise, after at least 10 gallons, the stock align main shaft bearings feel smooth and new. I was expecting to experience the same complaint I read in the forums about the bearings going bad prematurely, the reason why to upgrade to the thrusted main bearing blocks. I actually debated on whether to install the upgrade or not. I did, just because I had it in my hands. I had to replace the main shaft washer because after installation I had a noticeable vertical play.

Will test fly today.

[slickporsche]

The stock radial bearings in the TREX 700 don't last very long, even when you don't crash.

Hard 3D flying brinnels the bearings from all the axial loads we put on them from all the collective pumping we do these days. Finally, we can beat our 700's to death and not worry about destroying our radial bearings since the thrust bearings will take all the axial loads.

Thanks KDE Direct for coming out with another important upgrade for our heli's :)

Oh, and by the way, your frame braces saved my my TREX 500 again this week. I have not broken my carbon fiber frames since I put on your lower frame brace and battery mount. So then is all about beating the heli into submission, and not the air. Now I understand.