Pre-assembled head on HK500CMT

[fourbie]

I've got to decide if I should teardown the head before I install it into the frame. I don't want to add to the jobs but I've read the feathering shaft has no lube on it at all?

[nightflyr]

I believe you answered your own question.

[fourbie]

Originally Posted by nightflyr

I believe you answered your own question.

Could be. If it has no lube how long would it last?? I was hoping someone who has built one would say yes or no to a need to strip it down!!

[mnc]

I don't think you should put any part on a heli without tearing it down. Why take the chance?

[spykez]

Originally Posted by mnc

I don't think you should put any part on a heli without tearing it down. Why take the chance?

+1

I don't much like pre assembled assemblies.

My X5 head had no grease in the thrust bearings and one of the tail thrust bearings was the wrong way round.

This is Gaui, right, not HK. I'm sure you'll find some one with such a similar observation in Align, SAB, brand no matter whatever heli.

Don't take the chance, IMHO.

[Shogun71]

Originally Posted by mnc

I don't think you should put any part on a heli without tearing it down. Why take the chance?

Especially the head. I had a heli assembled and flown by 2 guys I know. It went in for a crash. When checking everything out the bolt on the feathering shaft came out with the pressure of two fingers......

Now I do not trust pre assembled components....

[DCflyer]

I've gone through 7 heads now of all makes and models. Align synergy rjx compass etc. not a single one had thrust bearings greased. Some had a little oil here and there. If they didn't I'm almost certain the HK won't. I personally love breaking heads down and seeing how each company does theirs. Head and tail assemblies.

Plus some of the cheaper heads from overseas are assembled in a hurry and some of the workers just douse them with loctite. The last head I did from there had blue loctite on the radial bearings. Do yourself a favor and go through it.

[AKPhill]

yeah you beter take it apart as they use loctite sparing ly on some parts and not on other parts best way to make sure it is good take it apart reassemble with lube and loctite
then no worries

[fourbie]

Originally Posted by DCflyer

The last head I did from there had blue loctite on the radial bearings. .

You got the first prize.

I wish it had come as a kit completely in bits.

Well I had to go for it and yes, dry as a bone but worse is to come. I detected a roughness in one blade grip. When I took the the thrust bearing races off the one on that side one looked like it was pitted with little bearing indents (and I thought the race washer was wrecked) but it wasn't indents. Turns out it was some really hard residue. Can't believe it; only found out because I began picking at it with a screwdriver blade to see the damage and it began to come off - and it needed a lot of effort. I don't think it was hard dried grease, it looked like some sort of glue, not Loctite more like a two pack glue or a superglue, damn tough and brittle.

So I did dead right to dismantle it.

[AKPhill]

Amen

[fourbie]

Originally Posted by AKPhill

Amen

Copy that!

[Dylan Hudock]

Its always best to take it apart, I wouldn't trust anyone else's building. More confidence in the helicopter when I know how it is assembled.