Important: Must fix the swash before flying your TREX

[rdlohr]

A well known problem with the Align TREX is that the swash plate can easily seperate into two pieces cause your heli to crash.

This thread is created as a sticky to capture the methods for fixing this problem. Please post your solutions and related info here.

Thanks
Rick

[cudaboy_71]

as far as i was aware this was fixed in the SE V2. all others still need repairing. just thought i'd throw that out. if it is an inaccurate statement, please correct me.

[Finless]

Yes. this was fixed on the V2 with the metal swash as pictured below.
BUT the platic swash plates all have the same concern.

You can tell a metal V2 swash as
1) It says Align and
2) There is a serial number printed on it.

Bob

[BarnOwl]

There are some plastic swashes that literally fall apart if you youch them. I was lucky, on my CDE and a spare swash I used it was impossible to separate the swash. If you cannot separate them by manual force I would leave it. You might do more harm than cure.......

I am still flying one of those swashes and it still holds.

[CaptEv0]

So, What's the fix for the swashplate?
I just received a metal head combo and the swash didnot have ALIGN printed on it.

[Finless]

Use a set of sockets to to press out the inner portion of the swach from the bearing. Use JB Weld or a green type locktite to recement the thing together.

Bob

[notreal]

Use a set of sockets to to press out the inner portion of the swach from the bearing. Use JB Weld or a green type locktite to recement the thing together.

Bob

Any video on the swash fix?

I don't understand as which direction should the inner portion of the swash be pushed , can someone clarify further on the above please?!

[Finless]

See this link from Align which show the proceedure.
http://www.align.com.tw/shop/product_info.php?cPath=22_72_78&products_id=894

Also here is a proceedure that was documents by Odyzago on the "other site"

Sometimes heat and pressure is not even neccesary to "pop" these swashplates apart, but if it is, I used a soldering iron, I used the same one I use to solder dean's plugs and wires, and heated the inside of the swash from underneath. I then used a 7/16 socket and placed my swash on top of it (it fits the underside perfectly). I pushed down a few times on the outer swash balls and "pop"! it came right off... I tried using my thumb underneath, and it didn't get the job done, the secret was the 7/16 socket.

Scrape away the old glue; it might be tough to see, because its pretty much clear, but its there, I used a small flathead screwdriver to get the job done.

Get some decent loctite; everyones opinions vary about what to use, but I use the same stuff Hacker technicians told me to use on my metal to metal hacker motor. Green loctite, I use permatex brand. Place 1 drop on a scrap piece of plastic, and using a toothpick or I used my smallest flathead micro screwdriver, spread the locktite on the inner swashplate surface and spread it out, so its just the thinnest layer... Note: you will be able to discard most of the drop of locktite that is left.... I mention this because if you use too much, you have the chance of gumming up the bearing....

[111]

Hi Bob

Is this the same for the plastic ones? As I only got the XL non SE version.

Many thanks

Leo

[Finless]

Yes it is but with the plastic one you can separate and glue with CA.

Bob

[Renfield]

So if I've been flying the stock plastic swash for 6 months, is it safe? Ignorance has been blissful, but I assume a defect would've presented itself by now?

Cheers,
George

[Finless]

Probably.... not ALL swashes come apart. It depending on how well align glued them at the factory.

Bob

[skid]

I like the way align says to wear cotton gloves when using the lighter. I get their point, but come on. Those things go up in flames in a flash. Use leather it's safer. :shock:

[gbagley]

I'd say you are living on Borrowed Time. Its not a question of if -its a question of when.
I use to just fly Sport style. Once I started to do loops and Inverted Pull outs...The dang thing came apart on mine and down she came. Cost me lots of parts to Include the Front Servo Tray, Two HS-56 servo cases, Two Set of Gears, One Compete Servo, Shaft, Tail Boom, Battery, Canopy, Landing Skid, Mixing Arm, Blades, Flybar, Main Rotor Housing.
2 days to get her fixed... Oh and a main gear. All because I didn't CA the thing..... I am so Pissed and myself and ALIGN.

So if I've been flying the stock plastic swash for 6 months, is it safe? Ignorance has been blissful, but I assume a defect would've presented itself by now?

Cheers,
George

[rennster]

Does this fix apply to the grey swashes? I just bought one and the package indicated "new" in parentheses. Model No. HS1111T-78. It looks like there is a bevel on the inside near the race.

[rdlohr]

I just saw one come apart after 6 months. When he started doing loops, off it came. It wasn't pretty!

[rennster]

I staked it from the bottom. Thought about gluing it but when I was cleaning my AR I saw the stakes on my carrier key and thought what the hell :?

[don_87]

I got an RTF kit from RC-Expert, The original Align plastic and metal swash was included. I'm soooooooo glad I found Helifreak.
The swash seperated in my fingers with virtually no pressure. I don't think there was ANY loctite in it at all.
The good thing was that they included the New align swash with the kit (blue anodized with Align printed on it). I couldn't get it to seperate.

[AdrianM]

I got a lot of play in the bearing on my swash. What size bearing is it? I want to order a tight tolerance ABEC-7 bearing and replace the stock one to see if I can tighten up the slop.

[AdrianM]

Nevermind...just found it!

6803ZZ x 1(Φ26xΦ18.5x4mm)

[Tintin]

I have they grey plastic swash from 2004, the black plastic swash, one of the first blue for the 450x + the first HS1111 for the CDE so most of the versions before the V2. No separation problem on any of them so this does not apply to all.

I've tried pressing them all apart but no "luck" so far so I say check if it separates, if it doesn't then leave it as it is...

[rdlohr]

Thats what my flying buddy said. I have to tell you though, it was the coolest mid-air heli explosion I've ever seen.

[Renfield]

I've enjoyed two months of additional flight from the plastic swash since seeing this post. No signs of trouble. It's an AP rig though, so it doesn't see any 3D action.

Still, after so long I would expect any manufacturing defect to present itself. Maybe, as Bob said, it's not a universal malady?

I caved and ordered the complete metal head from TMP yesterday, so I'll give it a thorough check before assembly.

Then I'm going to try and separate the old plastic swash to see how close I came to stepping off the edge. I suspect it is not going to budge.

[rdlohr]

Thats what my flying buddy said. I have to tell you though, it was the coolest mid-air heli explosion I've ever seen.

Oh, sorry Tintin, I missed the "plastic" part. I know nothing about those.

This was a metal swash. It flew well for 4 months, then seperated mid flight. It was quite nasty.

Rick

[sparky]

Is this a problem on all the Align heli's? Does this apply to the 600's or just the 450's?