I just got my venture 30 put together and have run about 3 hours of flying time on it. First off, I really love it and have no major complaints, but I have had a few mechanical issues and was hoping for a little advice.

1) Today I noticed that the main gear rubs on the frame and has warn away some plastic on both pieces. Not cool, any advice on how to remedy this?

2) Also, after noticing that the clutch bell had too much vertical play, I reset the female starter drive that holds the starter shaft in place, and may be did so a bit too tight. After starting the engine, I looked at the starter head, and it was spinning with the motor. Also not too cool, but I flew it anyway. It appears that this shaft is what holds the clutch bell and gear from falling down, is that right?

3) After hovering for about 10 minutes, the heli did an involuntary pirouette to the left, so I landed it rapidly (a bit too rapidly). On the ground it slowly tipped as the head speed fell off, and had a blade strike with the ground. I was lucky and the blades didn't break, but the 4 rubber skid mounts did, leaving the heli legless. Are those mounts suitable or is there some way I can beef them up next time?

4) After shutting down the motor, I found that the un-requested yaw had come from a broken tail-pitch rod. It just snapped in two right where it comes it contact with the frame. I had a nice straight link between the servo and the tail belcrank, so I'm not sure why it decided to give in after only half a gallon of fuel, is this a common problem with the venture?

Any advice on these 4 issues would surely be appreciated!

I understand Horizon Hobby has a fix for the gear rubbing against the frame.

Heli pro's has a different set of gear that will fit the venture. It eliminates the rubber entirely and sets the bird up the same height as with the grommetsand the bolt pattern is the same. I don't remember which bird they are off but I am sure they will tell you! I also ripped them off! Hal

Those grommets will prevent a hell of a lot odf damage if your bird hits hard. There only 12.00 a set. As you get better you will break fewer!1111!

They are the stock Ergo 30 landing struts , JRP960033 and reverse them to hold the tail up better..
I have seen the rubber dampeners fail quite a bit.. a sliding auto turned into a crash, a broken tail pitch slider on the ground caused the dampeners to rip. and saw another one break just picking up the heli on training gear.. (this was the first thing I did when I bought mine,, but I did have the 30 struts setting around)


the main gear rubbing can be fixed with a new auto hub bushing, call horizon and they should send you one out. I replaced mine and also used some MA shims to better center the one-way bearing in the gear and hub.

Or you can just let it wear in..

there should just be a small bit of up and down play with the start shaft then I take the end off the starting wand and spin the start shaft by hand when I tighten up the motor mount.. get in in good alignment.. then check it again after running the motor.. this area will make the tail jump if binding..


I haven't seen the leaver break at the boom yep, but alot of people have recommended a bolt that go all the way through the tail holder with a lock nut. but I haven't found a bolt that will work just yet.

I have seen the ball on the tail slider break alot, the metal upgrade for the ergo is a nice option, it has the slider fork too, but it is about 50.00

Hope this helps..

AT

For you question 3, like one of the posts said as your landings get lighter then so does the replacements of the dampers. Do what i do heck buy some new ones keep them on stock. Or a little IC-2000 Cyanoacrylate Like C.A. but black for its rubber adhesive, clean up the broken dampers and glue them back , yeah its solid now , no play but it does work for the time while your going through a few .

for you ball link for the controll arm in the tail . That is weak after a few flights , i took some regual medium C.A. Drop it in Screw it in nice and solid , not a strip out. next day its not moving. make shure you use a ball link sizing tool for the ball link so theres no friction back there this will cause it to wiggle out as well . hope this helps.
As for the gears, mine has never had the problem, and i have three of these. Sounds like a flaw call Horizzon have some one that flys em look it over for you as well if you can.

After you run a gallon of nitro though the heli . Set down go though the whole thing, not missing one nut , screw , servo .