I can't seem to get the blades to track well on one of my panteras

I notice that the blade grip movement is not smooth as silk ..I took the grip appart and cleaned and greased the bearings.. Reassemble
( noting that there are two sides to the thrust bearing) Notchy feeling is the balls moving in that bearing,,, Is that shot,,or have I done something else wrong ? Bought the bird used ..Feathing spindle is straight..Flybar paddles level.. Tracking is all over the place

Bill

if you can feel the notchiness, replace the bearing. under load, whatever you feel is greatly magnified. Clearly someone has crashed that bird or misassembled (and ruined) the bearing

Agree replace the bearing. Also you may have a warped blade, I had a cheap set of blades and I ended up replacing the main shaft and everything in the head and I still could not track. Tried a different set of blades and prob. was solved.

You are being steered in the right direction, e.g. notchy thrust bearings + tracking is all over the place = replace the bearings.

Fortunately, they're not too expensive and we have them in stock.

John Beech
AMA # 47381
IRCHA #745

All are good things to check.
The other thing is check your dampers.....
Input from the RR folks?
My two cents.

My name is Billm. Cough, and I'm a Heli Holic

I agree with replacement. If they don't turn smoothly, replace them. Might check for dirt in them though too. That would certainly make them not work so smoothly, but might be corrected by cleaning and relubrication.

How can I soar with the Eagles when I work with turkeys??

How many flights on the dampers? As long as you are in there...... By the way, also check the main blade grips themselves for wear. I read other people mention sloppy grips.

Hey Bill, you're not trying to fly wood blades are you?

To All,
Thanks for the input... The thrust bearings are gone for sure..
Took them out..regreased..still notchy
The dampeners I will chance when the new bearings go in....
Flying carbon blades
Will post the results

Bill

I've never felt a notchy thrust bearing in the Pantera but I sure have seen the races get all notched up. They must be softer than the balls.

Did you find the problem....?

My name is Billm. Cough, and I'm a Heli Holic