I have the XTREME 180's; have had them for several months now and have replace the brushes once (carbon)

I would get a tendancy for the heli to try to yaw right all the time; and when I started breaking blades doing left turns around the room due to altitude loss; even at nearly full power; I had had enough.

I inspected the brushes, and to my dismay, the suspect motor's brushes wer already worn to 70 percent. I noticed the sparks to more degree than what is what I would call, normal on the brushes, when flying.

I did break them in b4 flying, as well, and solvent flushed the motors before inserting the new brushes.

My commutators look like a phonograph record and are digging in slightly.

What is the main culprit for this? Was I being too overconfident with the heatsinks and all and running the battery packs too close together without cooling? Should I have not lubricated the upper and lower bearings? Should I have not solvent cleaned them?

I lubricated the upper bearings with a copper based grease. I'm wondering if that conductive stuff flew out some of the copper flake to the commutator and caused the excessive arcing and subsequent commutator wear as well as the brushes.

When I replaced the brushes, I solvent sprayed them with flux remover; flushed alot of the old carbon and bits out of it. Maybe some stayed behind and got onto the commutator and scored it.

I know if I replace the brushes again, they will wear faster if they are like break pads.

Some of You race car people may be able to offer tips.

In the mean time, I have the stock motors on and am having a blast! ! No problems, whatsoever. I think they are good for around 150 flights or so.

I might buy a new set of the 180's, break them in, NOT oil them, and be more thoughtful about temperatures.
Should I still flush them out from time to time? I'm afraid that I'm also flushing out the factory lubed bearings.

What to do, what to do. . .
Thank You.

Gary