Damaged bearings in wire drive strut

[JimClark]

What strut are you using and has it been modified in any way like drilled out?
Can you do pictures of your setup?
Jim

Jeff,
I used 2 different wire drives, and i even put the strut angle to where its basically a straight shot to the motor thru the stuffing tube. I have it all apart, and I wasted a flanged bearing after 4 test laps after the race.

I believe there is too much play at the flanged bearing side, allowing them to spin or wobble.

Any suggestions on how to fix it? I have tried to pinch or swage the end to secure the bearing, but doesnt seem to work yet. When i put the bearings in, i use the shaft to help aling it in there. They go in pretty snug (the forward, non flanged) Im not sure what strut will fit my mount/hydro.

[jstolz]

Well,
My strut/bearing issue isnt fixed. i first cracked a flanged bearing, replaced with a non flanged bearing. I ran heat 3 ok, no issues that i saw. After consolation, boat was still fast, but once done, i pulled the shaft out. both bearings were destroyed.

My strut seems to have too much bearing play closest to drive dog, and with the lip on the inside, i cant shove the bearings in further or add more bearings. So, i need a new strut and maybe try teflon bushings or multiple bearings. but i dont know what will fit my boat.

I had a flanged bearing in my Speedmaster strut for my LSH Whiplash. I ran it at the Nats in the first heat. Each lap the boat got slower. After the heat, I inspected the boat. The bearing had come out of the strut. I was going to trash the strut since the the output end of the strut was elongated from running without a bearing. To fix, I loctited the next size larger diameter brass tubing to a bearing for a stinger drive. Then I loctited the whole new bearing assembly into the strut. The strut has servived many runs now and I didn't have to replace it. If I ever want to replace the bearing It will be hard to remove, but the strut was salvaged.

[Ronbo]

Ill try to post pics here soon, I have it apart to fit it by hand instead of fiddling on the boat.

[Ronbo]

I took the strut and finally was able to see that a outer bearing cage was past the 2 bearings i was using, probably from my first run or has been there, not sure. gotta find time to get pics..

[Ronbo]

Well,
I need a new strut now. I found that the deeper inside, the tighter the bearing would get and was notchy with the shaft, probably contributing to the bearing failures. Trying to get the bearing to fit, i put side pressure on the strut blade at it broke at weld. Dont have access to TIG to weld it with, plus Id rather have a new strut. Ill post pics this weekend.

But if anyone could PLEASE tell me what strut i can get to fit the following dimensions of the old: tube, 1 in long, blade width a little over 3/4 in, and total from top to bottom about 2in. I thought it might be an octura, but I have see no pics that i can tell.

[BHChieftain]

I have a question posted in the BUILD section on "The Real Thing- Tenshock Mono 1" about swapping out a 4mm metric prop shaft (which uses two 4mm ID/ 8mm OD bearings to fit in an 8mm tube strut) with a 3/16 prop shaft. Since I can't find a 3/16 ID/ 8mm OD bearing (english on inside, metric on outside), I was thinking about running a 5/16 OD bearing which is .7937 mm, pretty close to 8mm. Is this tolerance close enough, or will the loose bearing just self destruct? My other option is to rip out the tube strut and install a 3.16 stinger... which I'd rather not do if I can help it.

Chief

[Ronbo]

pics

http://www.helifreak.com/album.php?albumid=5587&pictureid=43549

http://www.helifreak.com/album.php?albumid=5587&pictureid=43550

http://www.helifreak.com/album.php?albumid=5587&pictureid=43551

Follow the links, since i cant get an album here, and I cant seem to get them posted. I need help, this is frustrating..

[sailr]

why would you have to run bearings with a 3/16 shaft? Why not just bushings like we run with flexshafts?

[BHChieftain]

why would you have to run bearings with a 3/16 shaft? Why not just bushings like we run with flexshafts?

I didn't mean to hijack this thread, so I'll reply to you on a PM...

Chief

[sailr]

Chief,

My question was for the other guy, running the wire drive.

[teach]

why would you have to run bearings with a 3/16 shaft? Why not just bushings like we run with flexshafts?

Less resistance. In my head it seems to make a world of difference.

Plus it's fun to reinvent the wheel every now and then. It keeps things less boring for me.