AXE CP Head/Gear Replacement

[atomicplatypus]

Can anyone recommend a technique for removing the main shaft from the AXE CP without taking the entire frame apart? Installing the gear and head block takes a lot of force since the plastic is so tight against the shaft but using a C-clamp could work. However removing is another story. Any thoughts on removing?

[skunkworx]

Sorry I don't have one sitting in front of me, but does it have any roll pins in the bottom of it? Most helis with this setup have something similar, but maybe I could take a closer look and let you know when I get a chance?

I'm sure I'll get something worked out!

[atomicplatypus]

I’m afraid it’s nothing fancy, just an extremely tight plastic main gear and head block against the main shaft.

[skunkworx]

I'll see if I can get a look at it tomorrow. Sorry I can't do it sooner. Do you have a gear puller by any chance???? that might work. The main thing is being able to exert force onto the main shaft while pulling on the gear to double the force without adding too much stress onto te plastic gear.

I'll keep you posted!

[skunkworx]

Atomic,

Sorry it took me so long to reply,
1. Pop off the bottom of the hoops first, it will give you room to work with.
2. Remove the screw that goes through the bottom of the main shaft
3. You should be able to pull up on it and 'press' off the gear using the frame.
4. If pulling it doesn't work, flip the heli over and tap out the shaft using a hammer and a small wood dowel or plastic stick (using a metal rod could damage the shaft and/or gear).

You can use a little bit of penetrating oil before the attempt to get some more slip on it. Clean up with windex after you're done so there's no residue or corrosive materials left on the plastic.

For a safety precaution, be careful how far the servos get pulled out. The links could break or a ball could snap off. Hope that'll get you somewhere.

[atomicplatypus]

Thanks for the reply Skunkworx! I didn’t like how the frame was flexing so I ended up taking the two halves apart. The fit between the main gear and centre shaft was so tight a lot of force was necessary to remove it. My replacement went in a lot easier so I suspect differences in manufacturing caused the ridiculously tight fit. Anyway, taking apart the AXE wasn’t so bad although I keep thinking how much easier this is on my TRex. ;)

My screws which hold the tail in place pretty much just rotate without gripping since the plastic has stripped. I wonder if there is a way to fix this without a frame replacement? Maybe some CA?

[skunkworx]

Aha! Gotcha covered on this one!

I used 2 of the hex head screws from the landing gear on the Trex (rough thread because they self-tap).

They have a pointed tip, so when you first screw them in, you have to be careful to only screw them in enough to ream out the holes a little.
Pay extra attention to how straight they go in, if you don't, they'll be all cock-eyed (but they'll hold on like a bulldog bite!). You do have to force them a little bit, but you are essentially re-tapping it to a larger size and new thread pattern, so don't be too scared to give it some elbow gease.

After the holes are widened, take a set of side-cutters and cut the screws down a bit so they don't get hit by the moving parts inside. Keep in mind they have to fit through the motor mount itself as well, so not too short. I just compared to the stock screws and made them a tad longer. You could also use a dremel instead (which is probably better seeing you have to clean up the end of the screw due to the tool marks from the cutters). Make sure you test for movement before powering up. You don't want a screw eating a $20 motor!

These screws hold rock solid and they are cheap/easy to replace if you drop one in the grass or dirt. Let me know if you need more help!

[skunkworx]

Oops! Thought you were talking about the tail motor mount.

*Ahem* :o Well, for the tail boom itself, for a quickie fix, I just used some thin CA on both sides where the boom shows through the frame (in the long oval circles, not in between the frame sets. That will make it too hard to get apart later on!), but the best thing you can do is find some longer screws that will go all the way through (you'll need 4 of them) and secure them with a hex nut.

I'll see if I can locate a replacement part you can order. The main thing to look for is a screw with a head big enough to stay outside the frame (same thing with the nut).