Why the bearings problems all the time? - Page 2

LonnieT · 04-23-2011, 11:15 PM

One thing I'm not seeing in all of this engineering discussion is the type of lubricant being used. Why are some getting much more life out of their bearings, while the original person who posted is not. Would the type of lube come into play here? What say you RC? (By the way, glad you chimed in!)

dankcincy · 04-23-2011, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonnieT

What say you RC? (By the way, glad you chimed in!)

+1

RC-Bearings · 04-24-2011, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonnieT

One thing I'm not seeing in all of this engineering discussion is the type of lubricant being used. Why are some getting much more life out of their bearings, while the original person who posted is not. Would the type of lube come into play here? What say you RC? (By the way, glad you chimed in!)

I don't think the type of lube is as important as keeping the bearings clean. Also, notchy bearings are caused by some kind of shock or repetitive stress rather than lack of lube. This is not to be confused with bearings that feel like they have sand in them. Any lube is better than none.

LonnieT · 04-24-2011, 07:53 PM

Charlie,
Building and flying rc helis is not my area of expertise. However, I have about ten years experience repairing and aligning car and truck suspensions. I've done diagnostics on "after the crash" suspensions dealing with various types of bearing problems from lack of maintenance problems to "it makes this rumbling noise on the freeway cloverleaf" type problems. I find most automotive wheel bearings can be "run forever" if they are maintained and protected. Once the user gets outside of the properly engineered application of these bearings, the problems start. For instance, "reverse rims" and many other aftermarket wheel applications will shorten the life of wheel bearings considerably also taking ball joints, tie rod ends, and bushings with them, but that is beyond our scope here. If other heli pilots are getting longer life out of their bearings, I ask you:

1. What type grease/oil are in the bearings when you purchase them?

2. Are you are you preparing your bearings prior to putting them in use by using one of the "greasers" you see advertised?

3. Are you "hammering" your pitch changes so forcefully that your flying method is causing premature wear?

I agree that a thrust bearing would seem to be the answer for any application where push and pull force is used on a heli main shaft. It's obvious that such force on the shaft will quickly destroy bearings that are not designed for this application. However, until such a time comes you may want to experiment with being sure the bearings are not being contaminated, use different lubes to find one that will help the bearings last, change flying/use habits knowing these bearings will only take so much. Hope this helps!

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04-23-2011, 11:15 PM	#21
LonnieT Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Mt. Bretherton Model Aircraft Observatory	One thing I'm not seeing in all of this engineering discussion is the type of lubricant being used. Why are some getting much more life out of their bearings, while the original person who posted is not. Would the type of lube come into play here? What say you RC? (By the way, glad you chimed in!)

04-24-2011, 07:53 PM	#24
LonnieT Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Mt. Bretherton Model Aircraft Observatory	Charlie, Building and flying rc helis is not my area of expertise. However, I have about ten years experience repairing and aligning car and truck suspensions. I've done diagnostics on "after the crash" suspensions dealing with various types of bearing problems from lack of maintenance problems to "it makes this rumbling noise on the freeway cloverleaf" type problems. I find most automotive wheel bearings can be "run forever" if they are maintained and protected. Once the user gets outside of the properly engineered application of these bearings, the problems start. For instance, "reverse rims" and many other aftermarket wheel applications will shorten the life of wheel bearings considerably also taking ball joints, tie rod ends, and bushings with them, but that is beyond our scope here. If other heli pilots are getting longer life out of their bearings, I ask you: 1. What type grease/oil are in the bearings when you purchase them? 2. Are you are you preparing your bearings prior to putting them in use by using one of the "greasers" you see advertised? 3. Are you "hammering" your pitch changes so forcefully that your flying method is causing premature wear? I agree that a thrust bearing would seem to be the answer for any application where push and pull force is used on a heli main shaft. It's obvious that such force on the shaft will quickly destroy bearings that are not designed for this application. However, until such a time comes you may want to experiment with being sure the bearings are not being contaminated, use different lubes to find one that will help the bearings last, change flying/use habits knowing these bearings will only take so much. Hope this helps!