RCU Forums - Retracts...

RCU Forums (https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/)

- Beginners (https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/beginners-85/)

- - Retracts... (https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/beginners-85/1861245-retracts.html)

I'm building a Sportsman Aviation FW-190 ARF. Assembling. Kit includes mechanical retracts, first time I've ever dealt with them. They come unbent, you fit them, then figure out where your wheel goes, then bend them to form an axle. Right? I got one perfect, the other one was about 1/8" too short. I didn't want to have to re-shape the wheel well, so I tried to unbend it and re-bend it. I succeeded, once. It bent in the same place and when I was unbending it, it broke. So..... as i see it I have a couple of options.

1. Build with fixed gear. Not happening.
2. Probablly wouldn't work, but try to braze the broke piece back to the retract at a 90 degree angle to make an axle.
3. Buy a new set of retracts and start over. But then I wind up with my original problem, I have to bend them.

Is there a product that forms an axle? I.E., a sleeve that fits over the retract with the axle already incorporated? The box picture dosen't show the axle bent, there seems to be a sort of collar looking thing over the bottom of the retract.

Thanks in advance

Andy

Yes, such a product exists. I've seen them at the LHS, but I can't give you a manufacturer, sorry.

I'm sure some one will reply with the info though.
Dennis-

Quote:

ORIGINAL: a65l

I'm building a Sportsman Aviation FW-190 ARF. Assembling. Kit includes mechanical retracts, first time I've ever dealt with them. They come unbent, you fit them, then figure out where your wheel goes, then bend them to form an axle. Right? I got one perfect, the other one was about 1/8" too short. I didn't want to have to re-shape the wheel well, so I tried to unbend it and re-bend it. I succeeded, once. It bent in the same place and when I was unbending it, it broke. So..... as i see it I have a couple of options.

1. Build with fixed gear. Not happening.
2. Probablly wouldn't work, but try to braze the broke piece back to the retract at a 90 degree angle to make an axle.
3. Buy a new set of retracts and start over. But then I wind up with my original problem, I have to bend them.

Is there a product that forms an axle? I.E., a sleeve that fits over the retract with the axle already incorporated? The box picture dosen't show the axle bent, there seems to be a sort of collar looking thing over the bottom of the retract.

Thanks in advance

Andy

Your best bet (and cheapest) is get another set of struts in the correct diameter for your retracts, and a set of "Dubro EZ Adjust" axles. Cut the struts, file a flat spot and install the Dubro axles. Make sure you use some locktite on the set screw(s).

FWIW - I leave the struts about 1/4" - 3/8" longer than I need. Then after I get everything lined up/set up, I trim most of the excess with a dremel.

Beeyotifol! Thanks guys, just what the doctor ordered. Should have gone this way right off the bat. Will have to go and give my LHS a little grief for not suggesting it...... as if they need to suggest ways for me to spend money there!

LHS had a set in stock. I should have gone that way from the first. Lucky for me looks like the retract I broke will be long enough. Thanks again....

Andy

Never mind. I didn't read the first post.

Well you know Robart makes some perty decent real workingstruts to get rid of those WIRE things However they are a little pricy. But like you say just put it on the VISA.