Need to replace a side frame? Don't want to tear the main frames, servo tray, bearing blocks and drive system all to hell and back? Well, if you need to swap out your frames and they are not so badly bent that it is not recognizable as a helicopter, try this:
Remove canopy, main blades and tail boom so that you have clear access. If you have the workspace, you can leave the boom on, but if you are like me, the tail becomes a desktop weapon which damages blinds, knocks alcohol and cyano off the workbench and leaves you wondering if you really should have had a third hand.
Start removing the 3mm bolts on one side of the main frame. The really great trick about this method is that you don't consume time when rebuilding putting all the bellcrank assemblies together. The bellcrank assemblies remain attached to the other side frame. Keep a container to place all your 3mm bolts in so that they are not lost prior to cleaning. I use alcohol or M.E.K.to remove the locking compound. This process takes approximately 40 minutes and leaves you with the following:
I left the fuel tank installed, just pushed over to the right slightly to allow for some support of the remaining frame because at this point it is stressed with the weight of the drive gears, engine, servo tray and main mast.
To install the new frame, just slide it into position! Really, that's all there is to it. You will be amazed just how everything lines up without any real grunt work. Replace your bolts after they have been thoroughly cleaned...in fact, it took me longer to clean the bolts than to disassemble and reassemble the main frames! Plan on the job taking a total of 2 to 3 hours depending on how distracted you become. If you have to replace the other side frame, then continue after one frame has been completely replaced.
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Copyright © 1998 Chris Berardi. All rights reserved.
Revised: November 25, 1999.