Bearings wearing out

[rudi]

I've had about 10 flights on my new T-Rex 450 Pro now. When I assembled it I put grease on the bearings as best I could, but I know I didn't do a good job. I ordered a greaser from the US and it should arrive any day now.

Assuming the bearings had minimal grease when shipped and my attempt to add grease wasn't effective, how many flights would I expect to get before the bearings wear out?

Also, has anybody had a bearing wear out? What is the effect? What do you look for to tell if a bearing is worn or not?

Lastly, if a bearing is properly packed with grease, how many flights would you expect it to last for before needing replacing?

I understand there are a lot of variables and what-ifs in the above, but I'm really looking for general advice and pointers.

Thanks.

[steve b]

Align bearings are very cheap bearings and don't last long replace them with a better quality ones

[scallybert]

I'm sure min lasted quite a while.

If these are mains, I'd replace the whole lot (blocks, etc) with the Lynx assembaly that has thrust bearings too.

[dieselcarb]

steve ya spot on what i do wiv my 450 is buy uber cheap bearings and change em say every 2 days werth of flyin if i used mine more i would look into a modyfied bearing block

i got 1 on my 600 must of had 50 flights they silky smoothe usually like a ratchet in 6 tanks im no real 3der but i do like full bore stick banging lol

[waveydavey]

Why do you think your bearings have failed, are they notchy. If so and the heli has been in a crash then it won't matter how much greas you stick in with the greaser. They're foobarred, treat them as a consumable, buy them from somewhere like RC bearings and change them regularly. I've always been sceptical of things like the greaser, by the time you've bought it, paid for post you could have bought £30's worth of bearings

[Varelco]

I'm assuming your talking about greasing the thrust bearings? Its known that Align bearings aren't the best quality but they should last quite a while. It's not really a major issue, usually you will find you will knacker a couple of bearings in a crash.

[rudi]

It isn't crash related. I'm trying to work out a regular maintenance schedule, assuming no crashes or other extra ordinary events. I'm also trying to work out the difference packing the bearings with grease will make to the maintenance schedule compared to putting them in as purchased.

None of this is cost driven; I'm not looking for the cheapest solution. Just trying to understand.

So, a bearing will feel notchy when it is worn? Anything else?

[rudi]

I'm assuming your talking about greasing the thrust bearings? Its known that Align bearings aren't the best quality but they should last quite a while. It's not really a major issue, usually you will find you will knacker a couple of bearings in a crash.

I'm referring to greasing and wear of all the bearings, e.g. the sealed main shaft bearings, torque tube bearings, etc.

The manual gives a maintenance schedule of 20 flights on thrust bearings, or less with high head speeds. But it doesn't say anything about other bearings.

[waveydavey]

It will feel notchy when the balls have been forced against the outer races, dimpling them. A worn bearing will just feel rough, though they are that cheap that maintenance wise just replace them. The mainshaft ones are 5x11x5 and are £0.85 each at RC Bearings. By the time you've taken them out to try and greas them you could have refitted new ones and put the block back.

List all of the ones you think you will need, order them all at once and you only pay £1 delivery

[rudi]

Yes, I've just been looking at the cost of bearings and it would make sense to replace them with new. I intend to grease the new bearings using the Greaser. I understand some people will say it isn't worth doing so, but I presume adding new grease isn't detrimental in any way?

[rudi]

The Lynx block scallybert mentioned above looks good. I'll check out RC Bearings as well.

Are there any other bearing-related after-market products I should look at? I've just worked out the part numbers for the Align stuff. I'm not sure what brands make better quality bearings, etc.

[Varelco]

There is no benefits from greasing the radial bearings. I cant see how the grease would penetrate the shields to provide sufficient lubrication anyway. It's only the one way and thrust bearings which require grease. The only maintenance on the other bearings would be replacement.

[jimheli]

There is no benefits from greasing the radial bearings. I cant see how the grease would penetrate the shields to provide sufficient lubrication anyway. It's only the one way and thrust bearings which require grease. The only maintenance on the other bearings would be replacement.

does work well ,& pushes out dirt that got in to the old grease , well worth doing now & again unless i crash,then new bearings but i still pump some grease in the new ones , just my opinion mind.

[dieselcarb]

There is no benefits from greasing the radial bearings. I cant see how the grease would penetrate the shields to provide sufficient lubrication anyway. It's only the one way and thrust bearings which require grease. The only maintenance on the other bearings would be replacement.

there is no point if u pulled the bearing replace it. i just use a drip of oil with the dirt at most but to regrease u pop the shield out with a pin

[dieselcarb]

just re read your post if a bearing is propper f*kt but not seized the head will wobble a bit and inflight it will wobble and look funny when beating it