View Full Version : This is bad, really bad!
X30PILOT
07-15-2007, 10:51 PM
With 100 flights on my Hurricane I decided it was time to do dome serious maintenance.
I took out the head and checked all of the bearings and lubed them carefully. I then checked the tightness of all the links and installed the new style motor mount.
I took 4 flights and this heli and it never flew better. Then while doing a high speed low level roll I lost control 2/3s of the way thru the maneuver and plowed into the ground hard.
Walking over to the seen of the crash I was thinking “What did I miss on reassembly or preflight that could have caused this?” When I arrived at ground zero all of the linkages and hardware were in place. Then I noticed that the swashplate had come apart! Upon closer observation I can see where the lube I had used wicked its way in between the inner assembly and the bearing. This is just a press fit with no sign of any kind of adhesive to hold it together.
I have really enjoyed this machine, but this is very discouraging.
X30
Raydee
07-15-2007, 11:10 PM
http://www.helifreak.com/viewtopic.php?t=42963
Looks like this isn't a isolated problem.
joskibob
07-16-2007, 05:21 AM
What about just replacing it with the CNC swash? Is that a sensible solution?
bclong21
07-16-2007, 06:13 AM
only if they assemble them with a tighter pressed fit. Sounds like I will be pulling the head of mine tonight. I haven't had this problem yet but the 2 halves of my swash are not true so it could be working it's way loose.
Skaross
07-16-2007, 06:19 AM
What about just replacing it with the CNC swash? Is that a sensible solution?
The stock swash is CNC. It is not an upgradeable part.
Mine seperated in a big crash... green Loctited it back together.
Kev
bclong21
07-16-2007, 06:27 AM
But isn't the upgrade one made of aluminum? My stock one is heavy- some kind of dense metal.
tungym
07-16-2007, 07:46 AM
SOrry about the accident.
Can you give me a favour of measuring the swashplate bearing size. THanks! :mrgreen:
Skaross
07-16-2007, 08:15 AM
But isn't the upgrade one made of aluminum? My stock one is heavy- some kind of dense metal.
Looking at the parts list there is no CNC upgrade swash... the only part is the standard one (part number 204544 on www.flying-hobby.com).
Kev
joskibob
07-16-2007, 09:03 AM
Do you think it's something i should be pro-active about and loctite it before it becomes a problem? I havent even gotten mine yet... but im just tryin to plan ahead.
mbigby2
07-16-2007, 09:44 AM
I was thinking the same thing. Green loctite is made to be wicked into existing parts. I haven't looked at the part closely, I wonder if that is the way to go, or if that will almost certainly lead to hosed bearings. Does anybody know how hard it is it to separate these parts and then get them back together?
readyheli
07-16-2007, 10:06 AM
Guys:
Official Response concerning this from GAUI.
The problem has been solved since February of this year. The swashplate you are using unfortunately is a fairly old version sold through several indirect hands. Gaui has sent out a mass volume of this part to replace the one in their regular dealer’s inventory. This individual dealer must have got it through a second hand or third hand in the channel and not a direct dealer or distributor of GAUI's.
You are entitled to get a free upgrade swash plate!
For Ready Heli customers, dealers, and those curious: The one in your hands from us is an improved version. All the standard version we have acquired from GAUI has an improved swash plate installed! No worries!
X30Pilot, its up to you to follow-up with you know who to get your replacement. I do not wish to embarrass anyone, however I urge that person to replace his inventory through his channel with the correct product to avoid any confusion in the future with the products he is selling. I would also suggest that person discontinue selling that version of the swashplate, since it is almost 6 months old and has been revised and replaced by GAUI to their dealers and authorized distributors.
:hug:
hommer75
07-16-2007, 10:36 AM
Is there any specific way to recognise the old swash??
readyheli
07-16-2007, 01:16 PM
i am working to get you a side by side pic from GAUI.
X30PILOT
07-16-2007, 08:35 PM
I am very pleased to see that Gaui is addressing this issue. I have been delighted with this heli right up to the time it hit the ground. If I can get back into the air knowing that my shashplate will be reliable then I will stay with this machine for quite some time. After Readyheli posts the pictures of the old and new swashplates others will be able to prevent my misfortune.
I had placed an order with Readyheli last Monday morning and had the order in my hands by Wednesday afternoon the same week via regular shipping. Their service is superb!
X30
bclong21
07-16-2007, 09:19 PM
I was checking mine out and it is some kind of metal painted black it seems. Not light like alum. It actually suprised me at the weight of this part.
Pinecone
07-16-2007, 09:29 PM
I was thinking the same thing. Green loctite is made to be wicked into existing parts. I haven't looked at the part closely, I wonder if that is the way to go, or if that will almost certainly lead to hosed bearings. Does anybody know how hard it is it to separate these parts and then get them back together?
There is more than one type of green colored Loctite.
There is a green for threaded joints, which is the wicking type. The Loctite for non-threaded cylinderical assemblies are also green, but do not wick. And since the swash doesn't thread, the proper way to fix would be to take them apart and use nojn-threaded Loctite.
readyheli
07-16-2007, 11:26 PM
When this issue happened last year with Align, we used JB Weld.
I am awaiting pics from GAUI for the comparison.
readyheli
07-19-2007, 09:00 AM
ok, since they do not have the old unit there for side-by-side comparison, have a look at this picture which illustrates what to look for in the new version...
X30PILOT
07-19-2007, 09:27 AM
Thank you for posting this! My swashplate that failed did not have the riveted marks.
X30
flunk
07-19-2007, 09:29 AM
sweet, mine is not affected, i've got the new type. THANK YOU for this information!
ukpaul
07-19-2007, 10:54 AM
Yes, thanks for posting the pic. New type on mine also :D
Fredrick
12-16-2007, 06:04 AM
tnx to ReadyHeli.com AGAIN :D
Pinecone
12-16-2007, 08:53 AM
Oops.
X30PILOT
12-17-2007, 05:13 PM
Being I started this thread I thought I should end the story. With the help of the good people at Ready Heli, I did exchange Emails with the folks at Gaui. While it did take some time for them to respond, they finally did, and apologized for the delay.
They offered to replace my swashplate free of charge. I responded with that’s great but what about the canopy, frame, skids, boom and listed all the broken parts. 5 days later I get a box via EMS with all the replacement parts. While it was a bummer to wreck this thing do to a design shortcoming I was pleased to see Gaui remedy this problem in later kits. I was thrilled that they stood behind their product regarding warranty support.
I’ll be a loyal Hurricane pilot for many years to come.
X30