If you look close at the first picture you can see how far down the links are screwed on to the rod.
Then look at picture # 2 and you can see at least 1/2 of the threads coming out of the link.
I had those blades in a real nice even track so i'm not sure why I had to make them even shorter then what you see in picture # 2
Well, it's all back together and now I can turn that main gear by hand and it's feeling nice and smooth.
Have a nice Wednesday:-)
Vegas/[8D]