Inspection

Check the Swashplate Assembly (017, 018, 043, 044) for obvious damage. Look for bent or broken ball connections. Check the Bearing (017) for excessive play. Rotate the Upper Swashplate (044) on the Lower Swashplate (018) checking for roughness in the Bearing (017).

Check for Lubrication where the Swashplate Ball (043) rides on the Main Shaft (050). Figure 1.

Removal

You must first remove the Flybar and Rotor Head Assembly and the Center Hub, Spindle and Blade Grip Assembly. These can be removed as a unit by disconnecting the Paddle Control Frame Pushrods (009) from the Upper Swashplate (044). Then remove the Retaining Pin (035). Now you can remove the entire Main Rotor Assembly from the aircraft by pulling the Center Hub (008) off of the Main Shaft (050).

Disconnect the Servo Pushrod Control Links (045) from the Lower Swashplate (018). Figure 2.

The Swashplate Assembly can now be lifted off of the Main Shaft (050). If the Swashplate Ball (043) binds on the Main Shaft (050) preventing removal, dress-up any high spots on the Main Shaft (050) using a jeweler's file. This is highly unlikely, however, as the Ball (043) is a very "loose" fit on the Main Shaft (050). And for good reason - the Swashplate Ball (043) rides up and down the Main Shaft (050) as collective input is applied. The Ball spins in coordination with the Main Shaft.

Disassembly

While the parts diagram shows the four separate parts of the Swashplate Assembly (017, 018, 043, 044) the unit is not a serviceable item. You cannot practically replace any of the components that make up the assembly.

Repair

There are no practical repairs to be made to the Swashplate Assembly.

Assembly

While the parts diagram shows the four separate parts of the Swashplate Assembly (017, 018, 043, 044) the unit is not a serviceable item. You cannot practically replace any of the components that make up the assembly.

Installation

Apply a very light coat of Lubricant to the Main Shaft (050) where the Swashplate Ball (043) will contact it. Figure. Slide the Swashplate Assembly (017, 018, 043, 044) onto the Main Shaft (050). Connect the Servo Pushrod Control Links (045) to the Lower Swashplate (018) ball connections.

Adjustment

These instructions assume that the Main Rotor Assembly is removed.

A good starting point is useful when trying to duplicate a certain flight configuration. This section will show you how to adjust the Pushrod Control Links (045) to position the Swashplate Assembly (017, 018, 043, 044) so that it is in the optimum neutral position to provide you with that starting point.

Unplug the Main and Tail Motor leads from the 4-in-1 Control Unit (023). Figure 4. Remember which receptacle you removed them from and the polarity.

Prepare your transmitter by centering all of the trim sliders except for throttle which should be all the way off (down). Figure 5. Do this carefully - it's important. Move the collective/throttle lever all the way down. Idle Up switch in the Normal mode. Turn on the transmitter and let the 4-in-1 arm.

Leave the transmitter on and the battery plugged into the 4-in-1 Controller (023).

What you want to achieve here is the Upper Swashplate (044) being perpendicular to the Main Shaft (050) when viewed from both the front and side. Figure 6. Additionally, the Main Shaft (050) must protrude 0.5" through the top of the Upper Swashplate (044).

You can use a small square to check for the proper Swashplate positioning, but be warned that touching metal to the Main Shaft (050) while the 4-in-1 is armed will cause the servos to twitch which will alter your carefully positioned nominal settings. Do not use a metal device to check for square.

Here's what I do:
I use a small scrap piece of oak or other hardwood and drill a 3mm hole through it. The 3mm hole must be perpendicular to the wood face as shown in Figure 7. Then I mark one side of the tool with a line indicating 0.50". Now when I have the aircraft armed as described above I slip the tool over the Main Shaft and slide it down until it very nearly touches the top of the Upper Swashplate (044). Figure 8. You can now very easily see if the top of the Swashplate is parallel to the bottom of the tool. Check this from the front of the aircraft and either side to make sure the Swashplate is properly positioned left-to-right and front-to-back.

If the Swashplate is not parallel to the bottom of the tool, shorten or lengthen the Pushrod Control Links (045) until it is. Remember to maintain 0.50" of Main Shaft protruding through the top of the Upper Swashplate (044).

Continue to adjust and recheck for square and 0.50" of shaft protrusion until the proper positioning is achieved.

When you are satisfied with the adjustments, remove the tool, unplug the battery from the 4-in-1 Controller (023) and turn off the transmitter. Reattach the Main and Tail Rotor Motor leads to the 4-in-1 Controller.