Damper wear

[Yooper42]

Ive noticed on one of my head dampers, the very small area that sticks out of the head block is getting chewed up after a few flights...they are the 80 durometer dampers. Cant imagine its from flying to hard, i checked for anything that could be doing it, (sharp edges inside head block) with no sucsess. Dosent seem to affect anything so i keep an eye on it and change when is looks real bad....anyone else with this?

[Yooper42]

Ex..

[Yooper42]

Anybody else experience this?

[jbeech]

Will,

Are you lubing these? Do it both when they're brand new and also before flight. A lot of folks like Triflow, and that works just fine but is pricey. Personally, I use a light sewing machine oil like 3-in-1 because this also works fine (and frankly, you could probably spit on them because something is better than nothing).

[Yooper42]

Hi John, i lube them with an automotive grease when new or when i have the head apart, both internally and externally. Its just one side of the head block that keeps doing it. Checked for burrs and sharp edges on the spacer and found none. I placed an order with you last nite and in it was an aluminum head block and 88 duro dampers, when i add these items ill check balance of the entire rotor head. Ive never lubed the dampers aside from mentioned above. Ill give that a try tho every few flights???

Id never spit on such a fine helicopter....LOL

Thanks

[jbeech]

Will,

How do you fly? Dampers are a maintenance item, no matter what. The hardest, counter-intuitively last the shortest period of time before needing replacement. I wonder because I see you ordering harder dampers each time and this time you've ordered the very hardest, the ones developed for the very hardest flying maneuvers like tick-tocks and piroflips and if you're not actually doing these then you're working against yourself. I fly sport maneuvers (loops, rolls, stall turns, plus combinations, like an Immelman and I love to perform hovering maneuvers) so I actually prefer the stock dampers, or our softest. And I also flip them periodically to extend their life - kind of like rotating tires.

[Yooper42]

I fly much like you. I do tend to push fairly hard tho, continuous flips, rolls etc. by no means 3d in my book. Guess i figured i was pushing the dampers i had too hard, possibly why they are coming apart, but i see your point that it could be a lube issue. If this reaches you in time i suppose swap those 88's out for 80's if youd be so kind. If not no big deal. Thanks for the advise.

[jbeech]

Your package already shipped. The 88 durometer dampers are a very tight fit (the spindle shaft will expand it a bit) but as long as you lube them the spindle shaft will go through. The only downside to uber-stiff dampers are when rotor head RPMs get too low during an autorotation you may see some 'nodding' from the head. Of course, the good thing about the nodding is this is telling you to wait to add positive pitch until the last instant because the stored energy is minimal.

[Yooper42]

Sounds good. Do you recommend i oil or grease them? Also ill start giving them a drop of oil (triflo) every few flights. Ill try that on the current dampers and see if that helps in the meantime. Have a fun fly to attend this weekend and dont know if ill have a chance to put the 88's in till after. Ill report back when i do though.......thanks again

[jbeech]

Oil, grease, spit . . . doesn't matter as long as they're lubed sufficiently to move within the rubber. The tearing you describe sounds like what you get when they're dry. Have fun Will, this is what it's all about in the hobby. As for me, I've been a little busy this summer with work and haven't burned two gallons all year. On the other hand, this has been keeping me busy recently.

[Yooper42]

That right there is far more important than helicopters (work in your case) anyday! Glad you get to enjoy the grandkids.

[jbeech]

They live in Virginia Beach and because my son-in-law's ship is going out for a while they've come for an extended visit. Otherwise we don't really get to see them all that much.

[Yooper42]

old dampers and head block were changed yesterday. I found a used set of 80 dampers that i put in instead of the 88's for now to see if the issue of them getting chewed up goes away. Before assembly I lubed them inside and out with silicone grease(pictured below) as it is harmless to rubber, after assembly i also gave them a drop a piece of 3n1 oil for good measure. Going flying this afternoon for the test run. The aluminum headblock is very nice!

[Yooper42]

Grease

[Yooper42]

...

[Yooper42]

Just got home from 3 flights on the pantera, flew great as always and damper issue appears to be gone....lube is key....will give 88 duros a try soon. It probably doesnt make a differance but i swear the control was tighter with the one piece aluminum head block.

Cheers all