Parts falling from heli!!!

[franckforet]

Yesterday I started my webra .35 engine for the firs time. It is sitting in a new JRP Venture. In order to break-in the engine I let it run at idle speed for the first gaz tank. Everything went pretty well. After this break-in session I noticed that a piece seemed to have fallen from the heli. It was right besides the left skate. I tried to identify its origin but couldn't see..... All I know is that it's a bearing case cap...

Why did it fell?
Of which of the bearings does it come from?
Does anyone knows?

Help!?!

Here's a picture of the part.

[heli-fan]

With out looking at the heli, guessing is about the best anyone could do. You'll have to tear the heli down to find out which bearing it came from, and to make sure there is no other damage from the bearing coming apart.

[franckforet]

I guess you just did what I couldn't do............Convince myself that I have to tear her down!

Thanks heli-fan.

[Felony44]

yep thats a bearing cover look around the outside of the heli where you know bearings are this may save having to tear it down

[mb323]

I agree with Heli-fan, a tear down is necessary, only to the point that you check all bearings and the complete engine.

My question is, where did it come from? Most bearings are captured, so the extent that you could lose a shield should be extremely limited.

I would start with your fan/clutch assembly and starter shaft assembly, possibly even your starter and starter shaft itself. Look in the exploded parts view first. A 10mm shaft is pretty beefy, sharter shafts, engine drive shaft, clutch, main rotor shaft.

From the exploded parts view, the only thing that appears to be 10mm OD is the main shaft, and there are only two bearings that support the main shaft. It might have seperated on assembly.

[tdswan]

Yes, a bearing seal shouldn't come off, it should be captured or bolted on. It would just hang there. My guess it was off when you put it together and finally vibrated out of whatever crevice it it rested in when you fired it up.

[heli-fan]

Yes, a bearing seal shouldn't come off, it should be captured or bolted on. It would just hang there. My guess it was off when you put it together and finally vibrated out of whatever crevice it it rested in when you fired it up.

I never thought of that when franckforet asked about the bearing, I was just thinking about where it could have come from, not that it came apart during assembly. :o

[mb323]

Hey franckforet, any update? My money is on the bottom of the lower main bearing.

[Jorgecajiao]

Agree you need a teardown but a quick look at your blade holders might solve the mystery. Also look at the color of the bearing are they all blue or silver.

[franckforet]

Found the answer 3 minutes after writing my last reply! (last thursday). At that time I could inspect the heli under daylight wich was missing wednesday night.

Didn't expect that much help comming from you guys! Thanks a lot!

Now that the bids have been placed ;) lets see who wins the kitty!

The bearing cover came from the lower bearing of the gear that propels the rudder belt. The shaft ends flush with the bearing allowing the cover to fall free...

No ball fell from the casing, they were still stucked into clean grease.

I cleaned the cover and pushed it back in place. It sat in place after emitting a "clip" sound, which tells me it shouldn't pop out again. For more safety I placed some medical tape (That's what I had on hand at that time) on the face of that bearing so if the cover pops out again, it won't fall from the heli. That's one the first things I'll be double checking after each of the next flights.

Should have replyed that the day I found the solution!!! But it showed me the meaning of cyber-community!

[Jorgecajiao]

Great that yo found the problem and the bearing, piece of advice, change that bearing :eek: , if that bearing fails during flight your looking at a way lot more money in repairs and down time, it`s not worth it. Bearing might only cost 3 bucks crash kit.................. :(

Enjoy......................................

[mb323]

Found the answer 3 minutes after writing my last reply! (last thursday). At that time I could inspect the heli under daylight wich was missing wednesday night.

Didn't expect that much help comming from you guys! Thanks a lot!

Now that the bids have been placed ;) lets see who wins the kitty!

The bearing cover came from the lower bearing of the gear that propels the rudder belt. The shaft ends flush with the bearing allowing the cover to fall free...

No ball fell from the casing, they were still stucked into clean grease.

I cleaned the cover and pushed it back in place. It sat in place after emitting a "clip" sound, which tells me it shouldn't pop out again. For more safety I placed some medical tape (That's what I had on hand at that time) on the face of that bearing so if the cover pops out again, it won't fall from the heli. That's one the first things I'll be double checking after each of the next flights.

Should have replyed that the day I found the solution!!! But it showed me the meaning of cyber-community!

Great job, glad you found the issue even though I didn't win the bet. ;)

I agree with Jorgecajiao, replae that bearing! Tail rotor failure can be challenging.

[Gary_Travis]

Without doubt change the bearing, it could have just been a bad clip on it, on the other hand I have seen bad bearings spit the cover out several times. Not worth the risk
Gary