Ball Links - How do you check for wear? How "tight" should they be?

[RcRotaryMadness]

Hi all,

In regards to ball links, I have always followed these rules:

To check fitment/tightness... fit the ball link - place it horizontally and a very light tap should make the link drop. any more than that and the ball link is too tight and adding unnecessary work for the servo.

To test for wear/slop... hold the model (or swash or whatever) firm - hold the linkage rod and try to pull/push the link from the ball... if theres any movement or sometimes you can hear it moving (clicking) then its worn and needs replacing.

I'm interested to hear how others approach this?

1) with the original fitting/tightness of the link
2) how do you check for wear?


How much wear is ok before you have links popping off?

Thanks
Matt

[RcRotaryMadness]

Anyone lol?

[Rotorhead]

Has it fallen off yet, nope, good to go.

Just kidding

I check how easy it is to pop it on and off once in a while, if it's 'too easy' to pop it on and off which is obiviously an experience thing, then it's starting to get to the point where it will get lateral movements on the ball rather than just rotational movements, you should be able to catch it long before that point, and if you ever see one like that replace it immediately, do not fly, as your next flight will be at extreme risk of losing that link.

It just comes down to experience really.

[AlastairC]

Ball Links - How do you check for wear? How "tight" should they be?

If there is any noticeable movement between the ball and plastic joint then I will replace. I will also try to pop them off by hand. Again if I can do this with any ease then replace. The dfc control links ones seem to not last that long on my helis.

[rachel]

Anyone lol?

the way I check ,when I bother , lol ,is to pull the link away from the ball , if I can see any slop I replace the link .

Its not somthing that seems to wear out very much on my machines ,I guess crash replacement takes care of that ;-)

[RcRotaryMadness]

Thanks for the replies.. I forgot to mention thats another way I check wear by pulling them off by hand to feel how much force it takes to pop them off.. if they pop off easy then they get replaced.

Seem to be on the right lines - just thought I'd ask since theres never any written guidance on stuff like this..

Not had one pop off yet but I don't want it to either!

[heathy]

Ball Links - How do you check for wear? How "tight" should they be?

Had a pitch link pop in flight yesterday with a 7hv. Heard the mental flap sound, hit TH and came in. Tapped the tail on the way down and took both tail grips off with blades. That was the only damage and could have been so much worse. Both 7hvs are having new links now, 1 of which has over 400 odd flights.

[PKNEC]

Thanks for the replies.. I forgot to mention thats another way I check wear by pulling them off by hand to feel how much force it takes to pop them off.. if they pop off easy then they get replaced.

Seem to be on the right lines - just thought I'd ask since theres never any written guidance on stuff like this..

Not had one pop off yet but I don't want it to either!

Finlesss has done a vid on the subject giving some guidance on what to look for here http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=...l_Links101.wmv

[RcRotaryMadness]

Had a pitch link pop in flight yesterday with a 7hv. Heard the mental flap sound, hit TH and came in. Tapped the tail on the way down and took both tail grips off with blades. That was the only damage and could have been so much worse. Both 7hvs are having new links now, 1 of which has over 400 odd flights.

Owch!! This is what I'm dreading is a cheap 5p link popping off causing £££ of damage.. As you say you did well to escape with little damage.. whole thing could of been written off lol.

400 flights does seem a lot of usage though?

PKNEC - Thanks for the link - I will have to register myself over there before i can watch it but anything by finless bob is worth watching... cheers!