Ball link issues

[tcast305]

Hi everyone,

I ran into the same issue several people have had with the ball links being crooked. I didn't have this issue with my kit (first batch), however this appears to be a 2nd batch kit, which I built for a friend of mine.

It appears to be a molding issue. The links start to thread straight but and you keep going into the rod gets crooked, also if you put a small screwdriver or allen key you can see the molding issue.

Here is a picture of them crooked.
http://www.rchelivideo.com/bad_ball_links_installed.jpg

Since the ball links were crooked I used a bag of links I purchased from a LHS early in July. All of the ball links in that bag went in straight without any issues, so I assumed it was just an issue with the 2nd batch kit. Below is a picture of the label of the good set of ball links:
http://www.rchelivideo.com/good_ball_links_bag.jpg

I then ordered 5 sets of ball links from Readyheli (LHS didn't have anymore) since the bag of links only brings 12 and alot more are required to finsh the kit. I received them today, and when I used them, sure enough they are as bad as the ones in the kit. I opened 4 of the 5 bags and tried at least half of them in each bag, and just like the kit some are more crooked than others. Below is the picture of them:
http://www.rchelivideo.com/bad_ball_links_g814.jpg

Then I noticed that the label on the ball link packages the good set I had a F811 on it and 5 received from RH had G814 (bad sets). I believe those are production run numbers. The F811 set had to be from the first run. I called around and everyone I spoke with only had the G814 instock. I tried calling Alignrcusa (Assurance) and they had no Tech Support person there, and told me to call back tommorow. I'm not sure what they are going to do about this.

What sucks is I have another kit coming in on Tuesday, which will likey have the same issue.

Thanks.

[huskynox]

I went thru the exact same thing! (I have a second batch kit) Ordered 2 more bags of links and found 1 in 5 would go on somewhat straight. I finally gave up and just went with the best I could get.

Align needs to fix this problem! :thumbdown:

[epc2]

Same issue here , I built one from the first batch with no issues at all , now building one from the 2nd batch and , crooked links , tail pushrod doesn't fit in carbon rod , had to sand the main shaft a bit.

Alex lmk what you find out with AlignUSA.

epc2.

[fr8brkr]

Typical Align !

[tcast305]

I called Alignrcusa (AssuranceRC), and was told to call back on Monday as no tech support person is there. Will see on Monday.

Thanks.

[Street Flyer]

I have a second batch kit, and all mine are crooked too. I hope align fixes the problem.

[Aberdeen]

Hirobo has some nice links

[DavidH]

I called Alignrcusa (AssuranceRC), and was told to call back on Monday as no tech support person is there. Will see on Monday.

Thanks.

Andy and crew are at the Jamboree in Muncie. So I would think it would be at least late Monday or Tuesday before they are back in the office.

David

[tcast305]

DavidH,

Yeah, thats what I was thinking. I'll call Monday or Tuesday.

Thanks.

[stmpngrnd]

I had to get a few odds and ends from grandrc the other day and was really close to getting the free shipping so I ordered some links to put me over the line. I'll post whether or not they are of the good batch..should have them tomorrow AM.

[jet22b]

The only problem I had in my kit was the tail push rod between the bellcrank and the servo did not fit the carbon rod. All ball link was spot on. Now to see how the next kit is. It is due in tomorrow!!!
Like everyone has said, I hope Align fix this!!!

jet22b

[VegasBob]

The only problem I had in my kit was the tail push rod between the bellcrank and the servo did not fit the carbon rod. All ball link was spot on. Now to see how the next kit is. It is due in tomorrow!!!
Like everyone has said, I hope Align fix this!!!

jet22b

Same problem here. I had to lube up the metal rod with silicone grease and carefully smash it through the carbon rod using another set of hands and a rubber mallet. Came out okay but the carbon rod's I.D. is too small. I've had a few issues with parts not fitting, tank, motor shaft mount for YS, rear boom assembly, crooked ball links, bottom plate, stripped buttom screw head. All in all, my 600 went together much easier.

[nwolsink]

My ballinks are also crooked as hell, are you guys mounting and running them crooked and all?

[erniefritz]

WOW. and to think , i got one of the first 2 kits delivered in Orlando , and i didn't have any issues. My carbon for the tail pushrod wasn't too small, the pushrod fit thru just fine.

[HeliSmith]

So does anyone have some insight on the links? My straight ones come off and go back together straight but the crooked ones come off and go back on crooked no matter what I do.

Will this little but of a crookedness cause a big problem?

[nwolsink]

The only problem I had in my kit was the tail push rod between the bellcrank and the servo did not fit the carbon rod. All ball link was spot on. Now to see how the next kit is. It is due in tomorrow!!!
Like everyone has said, I hope Align fix this!!!

jet22b

How did you get the steel rod through the carbon one? Mine won't go on also :arggg:

[Huey]

My kit also got crooked plastic link and wrong carbon tube for gyro rod. I have to go to hobby store to get 2 bags of link( make sure you check them by using a little bit smaller rod stick it in make sure they are straight) some spare link bags also bad.

for the carbon gyro rod, you can buy standard carbon rod(I forgot the size #) in store then cut to corrected length.

The problems are manufacture defected and QC error. Hopefully we can send them back to Align to get the good parts or get the refund.

[HeliSmith]

I am not worried about getting a refund personally I just would like to buy a solution. :) What links did you buy?

[Huey]

Align 700 link. Same part number but some right; some wrong!!!!

[malc1]

Just got hold of my 700 today and started it this evening.

Sure enough,the same problem - a bit of a job to get those push rods and ball links straight.

Just building the head at the moment and I am working my way through the packet that came with the kit to see if I can scrape enough together to get it finished before getting hold of some more to finish the kit.

Bit of a pain in the butt!

[HeliSmith]

Assurance assured me they are aware of a reported problem with the links. If anyone has an issue with their kit they received through us please submit a ticket or even just PM me I will keep you updated.

You know I can see the link is crooked but I can't see that it throws my flybar cage off any... I am going to just use these links in the mean time. pfft

[tcast305]

Helismith,

Yeah, I spoke with Assurance, and they were aware of the problem. It was what I thought it was, a molding issue with the molds. They should be getting good ball links by next week, I was told.

Thanks.

[Laddy]

Wonder how we are going to get replacement links out of Align. I bet they just send a few over too.

[VegasBob]

How did you get the steel rod through the carbon one? Mine won't go on also :arggg:


Silcone grease, another set of hands and a rubber mallet. Hammered it through perfectly.

Kind of what I expect from an RC kit. Never had an RC kit yet go together perfectly.

Dealing with incompetent manufactures and idiot customer service people is just part of the RC hobby. Good training for a teenage kid planning on becoming an engineer. Part of the reason I have my 15 year old involved in this hobby. He gets to solve technical problems and learns to deal with idiots on the phone. Good training for him since he wants to become an engineer.

[VegasBob]

Flew it yesterday and it tracks perfect crooked ball links and all.