TAIL HELP PLEASE

[Kenji]

THANKS GUYS FOR THE HELP. HERE IS THE ISSUE. I HAVE A RAPTOR 30 V2 49 BALL BEARING THAT I BUILT THIS SUMMER. I HAVE FLOWN IT A COUPLE OF TIMES. OH, AND I'M NOT NEW TO THE HOBBY I ALSO HAVE A SHOGUN AND A CENTURY HAWK. ANYWAY, THE OUTPUT SHAFT SEEMS TO HAVE PLAY IN IT WHEN I MOVE THE TAIL BLADES. IT MOVES IN AND OUT ABOUT A QUATER OF AN INCH WHEN I MOVE THE BLADES. I FOUND THIS WHEN I WAS DOING A PRE-FLIGHT LOOK OVER SINCE IT HAS BEEN A FEW MONTHS SINCE I HAVE FLOWN IT. I DON'T REMEMBER THIS BEFORE. I HAVE TAKEN THE TAIL APART BUT I DON'T SEE ANYTHING WORNG WITH IT. IS THIS NORMAL. I'M USING A 401 GYRO WITH THE MATCHING SERVO. EVERYTHING IS STILL STOCK. THANKS

[playfair]

If the tail drive shaft is moving in and out of the tail case and bearings, then the pin that locates the pulley is gone and you should have no tail drive via the belt!

[capebob]

The early Raptors, both V1 and V2 came with a tail drive pulley that could be built backwards. The pulley comes in two pieces and with the early pulleys one could insert both hubs of the smaller part into the larger part. Open up your gear case and look carefully at the pulley. It should be symmetrical. Both end flanges should angle outward. If the pulley is put together backwards the side with the drive pin in it will be curved inward. If this is the case simply pull the pulley apart and reverse the small side. The shorter flange is inserted into the large part of the pulley. The newer pulleys are made so that this cannot happen.

Bob

[flyinfool]

No its not normal.
In order for the shaft to move that far in and out of the tailcase you are either missing the pin that holds the pulley to the shaft or you are missing one of the bearings.
There should be no side play in that shaft.

[capebob]

It's not likely to be a missing pin or bearing because the tail rotor won't work without the pin and the shaft will wobble terribly without a bearing. BTW both bearings can be seen without opening the gear case.

Bob

[Kenji]

I DO HAVE THE PIN IN PLACE. I TOOK OUT THE PIN OTHER DAY WHEN I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM. I'LL LOOK AT WHAT CAPEBOB SAID ABOUT THE PULLEY BEING PUT TOGETHER WORNG. AND I DO HAVE TAIL DRIVE FUNCTION. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR INPUT.

[Peter]

the smaller side of the pulley will fit in backwards , as mentioned .... seen it done a few times !!!!

[HelicopterJohn]

Check on what capebob said.

I think you will find your answer.

:)

[capebob]

HAY KENJI,

What did you find? On helicopter forums it is considered bad form (pun intended) to receive help and not reply as to the effectiveness of that help.

Bob

[Kenji]

Sorry guys, just got time today to open the tail up. I found that I did have the pully put together wrong. I just pulled the pully apart and turned it around and wha-la it was fixed. I must have been flying like that. That servo and 401 must have been working over time. Thanks guys so much for all your help and ideas, couldn't have done it without you.

[TerryBelanger]

If you were flying it like that check the inside of the the tailcase and make sure the plastic wasn't eatin away a bit. If it was I would replace the tailcase before it fails in flight.

[WillJames]

EXCELLENT, thanks for letting us know. Bob ROCKS!!!!!