Raptor 60 pinion

[schucb]

Is it common for the pinion to wear at the bearing? This is the pinion at the clutch? Is there a stronger pinion rather than the stock unit?

[JimLerch]

As far as I know the style of pinion is the same for both the R60 & R90. Only difference is the choice of the number of teeth on the pinion.

I put a Raptor 90 3D clutch on my raptor 60 with no problems, and used the same pinion.

Heliproz lists three pinions for the R60/70/90, the only difference is the tooth count..

Any Pictures of the wear on yours?

[schucb]

Here is a picture. As you can see, the bearing became very sloppy. I just ordered a new pinion, start shaft, coupling, etc.

I imagine this is why my clutch was jammed also. When trying to start my engine, the blades always wanted to turn.

Is there a good way to ensure alignment of the motor shaft with the start shaft?

[Helirat]

Try checking your clutch for excessive run out with a indicator.
If the clutch is way out this could be putting stress on the starter shaft
causing the bearing to fail and the ware on the pinion

[capebob]

It is good practice to use a little retaining compound such as Loctite 680 on the inner race of the pinion bearing. This will prevent the pinion from spinning inside the bearing. Of course, if your bearing failed first retaining fluid probably won't help.
Bob

[vandelescrow]

schucb asked a good question: Is there a good way to ensure alignment of the motor shaft with the start shaft?

Once the start shaft and motor are in the frames, how do you line them up? Using a straight edge of couse but what do you sight along? Or do you need to do this with one of the side frames removed? Only thing I was able to do was turn the start shaft by hand and see if there was any drag.

[schucb]

I found this reading in the build and flight test on RCU for the Raptor Titan,

"I put a thin film of green locktite (photo 3) on the pinion where the bearing will go. Don't over do it, you don't want locktite in the bearing but you want to make sure the inner race of the bearing is secured to the pinion. What can happen is the pinion is made of a softer material and the harder inner bearing race can wear away the pinion causing play, the locktite should ensure it stays put."

I think this would have kept my pinion from wearing out so fast.

[schucb]

Here is how the author of the Titan build aligns his clutch(s),

"When installing the engine loosely mount the motor to the motor mount and install the entire assembly into the main frames. Mount the motor mount to the frame and tighten the 4 frame to mount bolts (if you are using a remote glow wire, a good idea unless you want to remove the canopy each start, install it now to the lower motor mount bolt on the right side). While spinning the start shaft backwards with your finger tighten each motor mount bolt until you feel resistance and back off a 1/4 turn. Continue this process until all 4 motor mount bolts are tight and there is very little resistance in the start shaft, this will ensure nearly perfect clutch to start shaft alignment. While you are working the motor mount bolts be sure to align and set the gap for the governor sensor, there should be about 1 to 2 mm clearance between the magnet and the sensor.