Dampers...

[J-S-Q]

I just changed the grey Align dampers for the harder black ones and wondering whether I have to assemble the head differently with the black dampers or are they just a direct swap?

The reason I ask is that having reassembled the head both blade grips are quite notchy and I'm pretty sure they were very smooth before -I've changed the radial bearings for some new ones out of my spares box and it still doesn't feel smooth. Guess I'll have to order some new thrust bearings and see if that cures the problem but it just seems strange that they both feel notchy when they were ok before -I'm pretty sure all the bearings are properly seated and aligned and I've reassembled it three times.

[Matt Gill]

No need to reassemble any differently. The black dampners simply replace the grey. As for the notichiness, the black dampners are a lot harder and your grey ones were probably well worn, so the new ones will probably 'tighten' everything up. For the sake of a few quid on bearings, I would order 4 new blade grip bearings and some new thrust bearings (get them well greased too).

All should be fine after that. Very often you can 'disturb' things and have to spend a few extra quid getting it 100% again.

[davie]

if you pull the grips apart like the blades do when spun up it should smooth out any notching if it does it will be fine if not you'l need to replace the bearings , harder dampners tend to put more preasure on the bearings wich you will feel as notching if it goes away when you pull them apart it should be fine