Rotor head bearing question

[RotorBlade]

Following a crash - the re-build is stalled due to a 'notchy' feel to the blade grips in the rotor head.
I have replaced the spindle and refitted everything by the manual, including new bearings in the side that struck ground (the bearing felt grindy). Others fee ok. They are the metal grips and I used heat to seat the bearing correctly.

When I tighten down the retaining bolts, the blade grips feel like they are click-stop - they turn ok but not smoothly. I've tried just about everything; spindle is greased and nothing out of place.

Any ideas - are they meant to be like that (no other heli I've owned is?)
Is the manual wrong? Does centrifugal force sort it out?

Appreciate any suggestions as it's driving me nuts (and bolts!)
Thanks
Keith

[RotorBlade]

Update

SiG lent me a spare head from his new FBL 90 - checked it out and there is no washer between the flap damper collar and the rotor head bearing, but there is in the manual diagram. I've removed them from mine now & it's fine, no excess play that is apparent and really smooth - but they were there originally so I don't understand what has changed.

Could it be that removing the spindle shifts the dampers out slightly and that causes the probem?
Anyone else had this happen?

Thanks
Keith

[Si Goodchild]

Worth putting a set of digital verniers on the new and old spindles - perhaps a slight variation in length between batches at manufacture?

[cjcj1949]

Tolerances are very critical in this area. I had a similar problem recently with a 450 Sport head. It felt notchy. The force on the thrust washers is not well defined as far as I can see ans as you say will change when the blades start moving. I would check it again after getting the head up to full speed. The dampers could settle in and you may need the washer back in. I may well be talking rubbish as this is not my area and if someone can correct me I would appreciate it. I find the idea of dampers, thrust washers, and no torque values very hairy. Hopefully I'm missing something.

It does work though....