KDE Performance tail and Carbon Fiber Push Tail Mod

[ddj74]

So after many hours of trying to figure out how to put together this tail with poor directions (hard to see illustrations) i finally completed the modifications. Another drawn back was breaking loose permanent lock tight from previous owner on a few parts. Good thing i bought a mini torch. Installed is...

AT500-PTC & AT500-PTU-V2 KDE performace tail kits ($75.99)

TX55T24-BK Quick UK T-Rex 550 Carbon Tail Pushrod Kit ($35.99)

Nothing to say about the tail kit pretty much straight forward but gotta have midget hands to work with getting the bearings and washers in place.

As far as the carbon fiber tail rod only modification i had to do was cut about 6 1/2 inches to make it shorter and not use the tail clamp that came in the kit. Not needed anyways because its sturdy enough and less friction. Everything came out perfect and very clean looking. Next i will probably buy a pro blade holder. Purpose of this was to eliminate play and vibrations. Also the guide rod was a little squeaky...lol.

Anyways here's a link to my album with the pictures of before and after...

http://www.helifreak.com/album.php?albumid=8764

[flerpie]

So does the forked tail slider reduce the play in the slider assy?
The side2side wobble of the slider?
That's what I'm after. Hope they ship mine soon.

[ddj74]

So does the forked tail slider reduce the play in the slider assy?
The side2side wobble of the slider?
That's what I'm after. Hope they ship mine soon.

Very impressed with the quality and big improvement on slop. Now one annoying thing about installing this kit is you have to grind a little around the blade grips where they attach to the slider to set right on the bearings...

http://www.kdedirect.com/files/KDE_Direct_TREX_Series_Performance_Tail_Upgrade_V2 _Design4.pdf

[flerpie]

Yes, I saw that. Evidently the KDE design was done and finalized
before knowing the shape of the new grips had changed.

How much chamfer did you have to file on the grips?
Is there any way to file the KDE side of things instead of the grips?

I hesitate to file on grips because they will not be as close in weight
after I file on them...I be no metal worker.

Can you show us a closeup of the filing you had to do?

[torpedoarmed]

As far as the carbon fiber tail rod only modification i had to do was cut about 6 1/2 inches to make it shorter and not use the tail clamp that came in the kit. Not needed anyways because its sturdy enough and less friction. Everything came out perfect and very clean looking. Next i will probably buy a pro blade holder. Purpose of this was to eliminate play and vibrations. Also the guide rod was a little squeaky...lol.


Why not just use the 500 Pro CF rod? it is only 12.95 with the holder too. Take it to a archery shop and trim down about 40mm, take a heat gun to losen the collar and stud for ball joint, some CA and your done.

[Deet]

rather than $36 for the 550 CF rod...

buy a pice of CF tube, about $5, cut a spare link rod in half, and JB Weld the rod ends into the CF tube. Done

Thats all I did.

[Blayd]

+1.. thats how it was done on my ESP. I plan on doing my other 2 500's next week.

[ddj74]

Why not just use the 500 Pro CF rod? it is only 12.95 with the holder too. Take it to a archery shop and trim down about 40mm, take a heat gun to losen the collar and stud for ball joint, some CA and your done.

Why take it to a archery shop for? Nothing a Dremel tool and tape can't fix. I liked the 550 kit because it came unassembled so i could easily cut to size. Made the rod in 10 minutes. Very rigid and only 2 grams more in weight then stock. I didn't want the holder to begin with cause it's useless and creates more friction.

[ddj74]

rather than $36 for the 550 CF rod...

buy a pice of CF tube, about $5, cut a spare link rod in half, and JB Weld the rod ends into the CF tube. Done

Thats all I did.

As much money i've put into this thing i don't wanna chance it. Plus i don't want it to look homemade...lol.

[ddj74]

Yes, I saw that. Evidently the KDE design was done and finalized
before knowing the shape of the new grips had changed.

How much chamfer did you have to file on the grips?
Is there any way to file the KDE side of things instead of the grips?

I hesitate to file on grips because they will not be as close in weight
after I file on them...I be no metal worker.

Can you show us a closeup of the filing you had to do?

You can't modify the KDE end because the grips contact on the center of the bearings...here's a picture of grip. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to modify the grip. A nail file works perfect...

[flerpie]

Thank you ddj....Now I have a real idea of how much will need to be
removed from the grips. I don't have the KDE lashup in my hands yet.
Maybe version 2.0 of the KDE pitch links will have a slightly larger diameter.

[Deet]

no version 2 links are made for the old grips

[snjbird]

I like that KDE upgrade, I have been considering trying one, I just don't know which one to try... might give it a go on my 12S 600, keep us posted on how it works out for ya DD:lol:

[torpedoarmed]

rather than $36 for the 550 CF rod...

buy a pice of CF tube, about $5, cut a spare link rod in half, and JB Weld the rod ends into the CF tube. Done

Thats all I did.

Actually a good idea Deet. I especially like using the spare link rod. One thing In hindsght I wish I had doen was maybe use a longer stud for the ball joint. The one that came with the rod was maybe 20mm long and I gluded it back with CA.

Hindsight is the vibes that it will suffer, will the CA may not hold and not crack over time and maybe let the ball joints go loose.

[torpedoarmed]

Why take it to a archery shop for? Nothing a Dremel tool and tape can't fix. I liked the 550 kit because it came unassembled so i could easily cut to size. Made the rod in 10 minutes. Very rigid and only 2 grams more in weight then stock. I didn't want the holder to begin with cause it's useless and creates more friction.

I could have dremeled it but at a the archery shope, they have a jig that makes a perfect square cut on carbon fibre shafts.

I would suggest taking a second look at the holder. My thoughs are that during travel on both ends, deflection will occur wihtout something between them to maintain alignment. As for friction, its nile at best, my alignment has teh tube floating inside teh holder at station keeping.

[Deet]

Mine has been working perfectly with 0 deflection of 18 months. You really don't need a holder for this length of rod at all.

[Mateyhv]

By the way I guess you can exchange this one:
http://www.kdedirect.com/TREX500PTUV2.html

for that other:
http://www.helioption.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34&products_id=92

Half the price :wow2: :lol:

[ddj74]

I like that KDE upgrade, I have been considering trying one, I just don't know which one to try... might give it a go on my 12S 600, keep us posted on how it works out for ya DD:lol:

Got to test it out today and tweaked. Was able to increase my gain from 65% to 80% without tail wag. Then again i didn't test without the carbon push rod so i can only say both mods let me increase 15% gain in HH.

Next going to order pro grips to get rid of the slop on them unless there's a mod i can do to make them better.

[ddj74]

By the way I guess you can exchange this one:
http://www.kdedirect.com/TREX500PTUV2.html

for that other:
http://www.helioption.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34&products_id=92

Half the price :wow2: :lol:

Damn wish i seen that...oh well guess i'll order those with the pro grips. Quit spending my money :(

[Deet]

the pro grips also have slop, and you need the pro hubs as well

It you rally want to get rid of the hub slop (i think its a good thing to have a little play)

All you need to do is use a file to take a few thou off each end of the hud, Keep the end square and don't file off too much

[Mateyhv]

Damn wish i seen that...oh well guess i'll order those with the pro grips. Quit spending my money :(

I missed them too... I wasa sure those little pieces couldnt be so expensive and have found the proof but its late.. Grrr

the pro grips also have slop, and you need the pro hubs as well

It you rally want to get rid of the hub slop (i think its a good thing to have a little play)

All you need to do is use a file to take a few thou off each end of the hud, Keep the end square and don't file off too much

My pro hub and grips have no play. They completely eliminate that annoying side wag. Filing will work pretty well with the ESP hub/grips.

[ddj74]

2nd flight today and tail wag...grr. Inspection and result as follows...

[Wildcards]

Is that broken?

[ddj74]

Yes...cracked on 2nd flight 2nd day. Luckly didnt affect flight other then tail wag.

[Wildcards]

Is that the KDE piece? I know KDE gives 30% off when you damage something in a crash but that looks defective.