Stratus Squeaking

[highheli]

Second flight on the Stratus and a squeaking noise is surfacing. Head speed is only around 1650 at hover (second filight, still easing in the engine) I thought it may be one of the mainshaft bearings. Am I heading in the right direction? Anyone out there with similar experience or know how to fix it. My buddies said that it could be a number of thing, so I am going to tear it all down and build it back up. I thought I built it right the first time (really carefull with all the steps), but I guess I was wrong.

Thanks for any input.

[TerryBelanger]

I take it you set your gear meshes per the manuel?

Are getting any lockouts or glitching?

[highheli]

So far so good. No glichting or lockout. I went straight out of the manual. Is this bad? Do you think the gear meshing go anything to do with it?

[kthane]

Common squeaker is when the clutch pinion breaks loose from it's bearing.

[TerryBelanger]

Most of the time if it's a bearing squeeking like that you start getting RF. That's why I asked about the lockouts.

The gear mesh question I asked because I set mine to tight and ended up with a squeeky type sound. Went back and readjusted and the squeek went away.

[highheli]

That make sense on the bearing with the rf and all. I will try readjusting my mesh and will fly tomorrow. I also changed the pipe on it (something one of the flyer said to do). Don't know if it will work or not. Thanks for the replies guys. I LOVE THIS SITE!

[wattybotts]

Is your crown gear mesh too tight? Mine used to make a weird sound when I would fly, when my mesh was too tight.

[Sandy]

This is the middle mainshaft bearing and shaft after 6 flights on my new stratus..I didnt hear a squeal, just a huge crunch after it went into hold..

You might look at those bearings..

[megotroulette]

muma mia

[highheli]

I haven't got a chance to fly it yet. But thank you all for your reply in this matter.
As for the gear meshing. It is set pretty good. there is some freeplay there a little, but not too much. When I gave it a good look over, I've realized that the four bolts that secure the boom to the frames were not tight. Could this be the reason? But I will also check the bearings. So far though, the rotor spin very smoothly when I spun them by hand. It is winter here as of now. I am waiting for a nice day before I will take it up again. I will post the result for everyone.

Thanks again to everyone.

[UK SAILOR]

SANDY i cant quite get my head around that after 6 flights on a new bird!
is the bearing locked up?
do others locktite the shaft to the bearings?
Very sorry to see this either way :(

[EricLarson]

Some bearings will fail. I don't know the failure rates but I know a certain % just die for different reasons.

I just use the stock bearings and replace them when they are bad. I rebuilt both my machines after about 350 flights on each and only found 1 bearing I thought was questionable. I know most of those bearings are probably on the second complete go through on the chopper so they have about 700-800 flights on most of them. I have had a couple bearings in the past lock or go bad, but they where on all brands of machines.

As for the squeak, just keep looking. You will find it somewhere. Most likely it is gear related. Look for signs of gear dust or premature wear.

[Sandy]

I have been building and flying helis for 18 years and never experienced a bearing doing this.. If you do it long enough and the risk factor is >0, bearings will fail but fortunately this kindof failure is even rarer.. I did replace these 3 bearings and the blade holder bearings with the double shielded ZZs.. Hopefully lightening wont strike twice in this Stratus's life..