450XL blade grips

[Helifino]

I'm wondering if I really screwed something up in putting this 450 together.
I can grab hold of the blade grips(no blades attached) and pull straight out on them. This leaves about an 1/8 inch gap between grips and main rotor housing. I then push them back in and it "snaps" back in place. Is this normal? Is it part of the design? I disassembled it to make sure all parts/bearings were installed and everything seems to be ok. :confused:

[tdswan]

Something definately does not sound good. Have you got both head dampeners in place? The little "o" rings....there should be 2 on each side. It's a little strange that it snaps, though.

[Helifino]

Yea, 2 o-rings on each side. I was even thinking of adding 1 more on each side. I think I read somewhere that some were doing away with the o-rings and using fuel tubing? I don't think that is what my problem is. I have the 3 bearings in each grip. It's almost as though the feathering shaft is too long(not possible).

[Helifino]

According to the directions, the shaft should be 40mm. I'll have to tear it down again and triple check everything(bearings,collar and screws). I noticed it when I was putting it together,but didn't pay a whole lot of attention to it then. Two steps forward,ten steps backwards! You'll have that.

[Helifino]

Tore rotor housing down again. Checked all parts against instructions. All parts accounted for, shaft measures 40mm, reassembled. No change :(

[Helifino]

Did notice in searching for possible replacement parts that they are using R48 on the bearings. I did not see that on my instructions. I must have been absent that day.
That would make a big difference and eliminate the slop. Man, I hate using that stuff, makes it a real pain to get back apart again if you need to.

[Motions]

Are you using the spacer/collar between the o-rings and the grip?

[CLM]

Motions nailed it I'm sure, you deffinatly need the small aluminum spacers.

Chris

[Helifino]

I thought that I left those out too,but the collars are installed on both sides between the o-rings and the grips. It appears that the smaller inner bearing is falling inside of the housing of the grips instead of remaining flush with the grip housing. In turn the collars are recessing inside the grips. Should the two larger bearings be pressed against the smaller one to hold it in place and flush with the grip facing towards the main rotor housing? I would think that in tightening it down it would take care of that automatically. There is alot of slop in it. You could just about install another bearing inside to fill the gap! Are you suppose to use the R48?

[Motions]

Are you using the plastic or metal grips? Are you using the washer on the screw?

It sounds like your missing the brass collar inside the grip.

[Helifino]

I'm using the stock plastic grips. There are no brass collars inside of the grips(is that just on the metal ones?). Washers are on the screws.

[Motions]

Sorry, I was thinking of something else. I had to look at the manual again.

From the head, you should have...
2 o-rings → collar → small bearing → grip → 2 larger bearings → washer → screw

When you tighten the grips, make sure you use a 1.5mm allen on both sides. There shouldn't be any free movement once you tighten these down. If there is, you need to find where the problem is. It's a pretty strange problem.

[Helifino]

From the head, you should have...
Yep, as stated above. I can't figure out why the small bearing is pushing back inside the grip and the collar is shifting into the space where the small bearing should be(does this on both grips).

[Helifino]

Just for kicks I installed washers between the small bearing and the collar. That eliminated the slop altogether,but pushes the collar into the o-rings. I'm afraid that may lead to bigger problems down the road.

[Helifino]

I removed the washer between the small bearing and collar and sandwiched it inside the grip between the large and small bearing. This also eliminates the slop, but it doesn't solve what's causing this in the first place. I'm considering going metal. I'd like to get this thing flying before investing any more money into it though. I'm starting to get the EVIL EYE from the wife! I may just order another plastic grip setup with new bearings and try that first.
SOMEBODY SHOOT ME BEFORE MY WIFE DOES.

[Motions]

I hate to say it, but it sounds like your another victim of Align quality. I would suggest getting another set of plastic grips and see if that solves your problem.

I just bought metal grips for mine and regret it now. It's very hard to find blades to fit without sanding them down to fit. I'm not sure what Align was thinking...their own blades don't fit their grips.

[Helifino]

I have to agree, I think it is a quality issue.Thanks for the tip on the metal grips,that will save me from wasting a few bucks. I'll take your advice and try another set of plastic. Thanks alot for your help, I appreciate it! :)

[Helifino]

Received the new grips today from rchover. Made a big difference, zero slop. The bearings fit alot tighter inside the grip. The blades also tighten down easier without the nut slipping as much. :)