700E catastrophic tail blade failure causing complete destruction

[edsel.labao]

Originally Posted by heli21

I use Mcmastercarr Part # 91303A012 for tail grip bolts.
I've got some extra ones and I'd be glad to hook you guys up with some.
If your going to Ircha Stop by the Esprit Models tent and ask for Rob McQuillen.
Rob

Rob,
This part number is a M3x 10mm bolt. The stock one is a 8mm. Is there a reason why you went longer?

[heli21]

Rob,
This part number is a M3x 10mm bolt. The stock one is a 8mm. Is there a reason why you went longer?

I heard of a few others guys doing that so I gave it a try... 10mm bolts fit like a glove.
Rob

[Mystic3D]

Hank,

Sorry again.

Can someone PM Hank with Andy's Phone Number?
I would not post here but I know the only chance he has is if he can talk to Andy from Align.

Lynx Screws - 15 piece set works fine
Lynx Spindle Shaft Screws
KDE Tail Upgrade - It's $20.00, prob same amount as just ordering the screws from mcmaster if you buy with some other part you need. Plus it takes the Slop, vibration out of the grips which should help with vibration and shear loads with the 3rd bearing..
Landing Gear - stinks, wish Gorilla made a set
Titanium Control Rods - From head to A Frame, Turnbuckle allows to get true Zero Pitch as does not require full turn.

Question??

Is there anything else that REALLY Needs Upgrading to increase Reliability???

[Hank79]

Thanks for rthe concern guys, I'm back in Australia and I'm flying out for work to Saudi Arabia at the end of the month. This is another reason I'm upset about it as I was going to take the Heli there as there is little entertainment in Saudi.
I have just received and email from Align stating they have sent the email and pictures back to the manufacturer so they can investigate it.

The email reads

Dear Hank

Sorry that I have to reply your email till now.
We are following up your case as we have forwarded your email immidiately to our manufacturer. I fully understand your frustration and we will be the last group of people that wanted to disappoint our loyal customers. Thus, for yours and other customers own good in the future, please allow the
manufacturer to review the case.
We appreciate your photos of evidence since it was easier for us to see and explain the problem.
Again, your cooperation is important to us.
We will try our best to sort out your problem.
with regards,
Jenny
*
Sales Team/Taiwa Pty Ltd

[invertsick]

when i had this same problem 2 times and created a thread here.
everbody told me that i was overtightening the bolts.

this happened twice to me and twice to my friends " one time each"

Bad quality bolts

[ghost400]

Originally Posted by invertsick

when i had this same problem 2 times and created a thread here.
everbody told me that i was overtightening the bolts.

this happened twice to me and twice to my friends " one time each"

Bad quality bolts

Many people tend to overtighten bolts.
We even saw a KDE-upgraded tail shearing off the bolt cause the guy had tightened the bolts like a blacksmith trying to get rid off each and any slop on the tailgrips.

I'll go for replacement bolts for peace of mind, but everyone should make sure not to overtighten the bolts.

[Hank79]

One of the problems is there is no torque rating on the various screws, so one never really knows how far to tighten them. If align gave some torque rating and there was a device to measure how tight screws where done up potentially could save a few Heli's going down.

[ghost400]

I agree with you, the manual should tell us something about that.

Finding some adequate replacement bolts we go into another bundle of trouble: Will the bolts hold up, which requirements in tensile strength do they have to achieve? Are they guaranteeing tensile strength, or are the even worse than the stock ones?
FYI: Even KDE-bolts shear off if thightened too much....

[Speedy1661]

I wanted to check the screw this morning before i want to go for a flight.

took off checked the screw, cleaned it, reloctite it and assembled again.

And i want to tight the screw right but not overtighten it...

UPS and i have the same problem now...

the screw broke into the tail rotor nab!

i didn't thought it was to much but now i know it is better give enough of loctite and not to overtighten the screw...

[cd5]

I just ordered the quick uk tail hub for the 700e. Its usually top gear!

[Helipsyko]

Originally Posted by cd5

I just ordered the quick uk tail hub for the 700e. Its usually top gear!

+1, it can really take a beating and still no slop.

[jhheli]

Had this happen to a friends 700 electric conversion, has the same tail setup, we heard a weird noise before it happen.....his was worse crash than this.

[Shef]

with the Quick UK tail, is it still necessary to add the KDE tail mod?

[Helipsyko]

I got the tail mod for christmas, used only the arms, the tail is very tight, no need for mod.

[Mystic3D]

Originally Posted by Helipsyko

I got the tail mod for christmas, used only the arms, the tail is very tight, no need for mod.

Are you saying you can grab the tail grips and they have no lateral movement?
Stock Tail HubShaft - or Quick UK?
Did you green locktite the bearings in the hub?

Trying to see what is different....

[Helipsyko]

Originally Posted by In_to_the_Mystic_2003

Are you saying you can grab the tail grips and they have no lateral movement?
Stock Tail HubShaft - or Quick UK?
Did you green locktite the bearings in the hub?

Trying to see what is different....

Yes, you can grab them with a only a hair lateral movement, like nothing really, and that is after 6 hard crashes. My stock 500 tail is like REALLY wiggely compared to it, and that is even after shaving the hob.
I have only loc tited the screws and that was when I did an inspection.
Quick hub. It dosent have thrust bearings, as I could see.
It is as tight as their swashplates, really great work.

[cd5]

Quick uk tail has 2 radial and 1 thrust bearing in each grip

[Helipsyko]

Originally Posted by cd5

Quick uk tail has 2 radial and 1 thrust bearing in each grip

Ok, thanks, did not take it apart.

[baja5b]

Guys, if this is happening to the tail grip screws, imagine what can happen if the stock main blade screws did the same thing? Better change out the main blade grip screws with some high strength once.

[f22warzone]

Originally Posted by baja5b

Guys, if this is happening to the tail grip screws, imagine what can happen if the stock main blade screws did the same thing? Better change out the main blade grip screws with some high strength once.

Meh if we loose a blade then we wont have the piro problem now will we : )