Mechanical Retracts ,Pushrod Info
 

Anyone have a good way or web site that shows how to bend /form the pushrods for mechanical retracts for both 2 and 3 gear style retracts. Especially connecting the pushrod to the servo.

Mechanical Retracts ,Pushrod Info
 

I use goldenrods, makes it much easier.

Mechanical Retracts ,Pushrod Info
 

I bend both pushrods so they don't touch each other on the servo arm when the gears are fully extended or retracted and connect them to the servo arm via a couple of EZ connectors.

Mechanical Retracts ,Pushrod Info
 

Note that any flexible type of pushrods that slide inside plastic sheath will not work when connecting the servo arm to the mechanical retracts. You need a solid piece of wire to push the cams in the mechanical retracts to the full up position. Plus, it takes a lot of torque to bring those wheels up. Any flexing in the wires could leave you with the wheels not fully locked in the retracted position.

Mechanical Retracts ,Pushrod Info
 

Just took some pictures of the retract servo in my Mitsubishi Zero. Here is a picture of the servo with the wheels in the full up position:
http://www.whitetyphoon.com/rc/retracts_01.jpg

Here is a picture of the servo with the wheels in the full down position:
http://www.whitetyphoon.com/rc/retracts_02.jpg

Note how the pushrods are bent so that they don't touch each other and the EZ connectors.

You also need to bend the pushrods so that they go over the wheel wells. I will try to get a picture of that later.

Also, you must measure the stroke of your retract mechanism. Another word, pull the cam all the way out and mark a spot. Then push the cam all the way in and mark another spot. Measure the distance between the two marks. This is the distance the two pushrod connectors on the servo arm must be separated by since the retract servo swings 180° from one end to the other end. If the connectors are spaced apart by more than this distance, then you will be putting extra stress on the servo. If the connectors are spaced apart by less than this distance, then your wheels might not fully lock in the down position. If you are using Hobbico mechanical retracts, then the distance between the two pushrod connectors on the servo arm is around 1-1/16", probably closer to 1-3/32".