feathering shaft discolored by heat

[marked23]

I had a main grip bearing stick to the feathering shaft. I guess there was a little thread lock under it. So I used a propane torch to heat the feathering shaft to get the bearing off. (I had already tried prying the bearing off by force... Even to the point of ruining it.)

Now my feathering shaft is discolored from the heat. It's still shiny, but now a toasty brown color. It never turned red, or even got close to that hot, while I was heating it. But I'm wondering if the toasty hue is a indication that I have weakened the metal.

Do you think I should go ahead and replace this feathering shaft?

-Mark

[Alfred]

I have done it myself before, no problem.
It's safe to use again.

[DavidH]

So I used a propane torch to heat the feathering shaft to get the bearing off. (I had already tried prying the bearing off by force... Even to the point of ruining it.)

Why would you want to heat the blade axle? Heat would cause the blade axle to expand and get larger in diameter.

This is the proper tool to use.
http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=heli&Product_Code=MA0532


What happens is the end of the blade axle flares a little bit when the bolts in each end are tightened to tight. Just snugging the bolts will not flare the end of the axle.

David

[marked23]

The heat did the job, it slipped right off. I just needed the heat to release the thread lock. I don't know how the thread lock got in there in the first place, but that bearing wasn't going to move without some heat.

I've seen that tool before, but I can't imagine how it would work to fix my problem. When I pulled on the grip to remove it from the spindle, the grip (and the outer bearings) came off just fine, but the inner bearing (right next to the clip) stuck to the spindle. It doesn't look like that tool would solve my problem with the inner bearing sticking to the spindle.

-Mark

[DavidH]

Ok you didn't say which bearing it was. But that tool above works great for removing the grip when the end of the axle is flared. I have never had an inner bearing stuff to the axle. I would just have used a vise and closed the jaws against the axle. Then took a rubber mallet and hit the axle a few times. I would think that would loosen the bearing from the axle. I have done that before when I have loctited mainshaft bearings to the mainshaft.
I don't know how you got loctite on the inner bearing. Unless you put loctite in the thread holes before you slid the bearings into place.

I don't use loctite on the blade axle or the blade axle bolts.

David

[marked23]

I'm using a lot less thread lock this time.

-Mark

[Laurens]

Looks like it got to about 200 degrees celsius (yellow colour). I guess it isn't too bad.

[Zilly]

Mark,

I would avoid using a propane torch on any part of your heli :shock: I have a heat gun which I use on the lowest setting to release bearings its more than enough and is unlikely to cause collateral damage.

z

[marked23]

Good thought, Zilly. I have a heat gun and didn't even think to try it. Probably would have worked

-Mark

[Zilly]

you dont need much heat to get loctite to soften up Mark hence why its not much cop at holding in exaust bolts etc.

z