How to change model airplane engine bearings (part 1 of 2)

The bearings in most model engines wear out eventually but fortunately changing them is a pretty simple task, requiring no special tools.

This video shows you how to change your own bearings and is one of the informational series of videos coming from RCModelReviews.com

If you'd like an advertisement included in this video, please contact me.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• rc
• model
• airplane
• radio
• control
• engine
• bearings
• thunder
• tiger
• OS
• 2-stroke
• maintenance

[av8rc]

Kudos on an excellent presentation. If my college profs had been half as good as you, I would have learned a heck of alot more. PLEASE - do a similar video on a Saito 4-stroke. Thanks

[xjet]

@av8rc Yes, I'll be doing a Saito bearing-change video soon -- I just have to convince the bearings in my Saitos to wear out first!

[JamesMorlan]

Thanks for the info. I assume "aluminium" is a regional pronunciation for aluminum? Just want to make sure it's not something completely different.

I would not even tap on the front bearing directly with a hammer - I would place your aluminum block flat on top and tap on that - no sense risking the engine at any time. :)

[xjet]

Yes, outside of the USA, aluminum is pronounced (and spelt) aluminium. You could tap the bearing in as you describe that may still apply some pressure to the inner race. The other option is to simply re-heat the crankcase so the bearing will drop straight in without any additional force being required. That's what I usually do but either way works fine.

[xjet]

Some people have queried the idea of putting a scratch on the conrod - suggesting this could lead to failure. On a highly stressed racing engine their may be some merit to this but on a sports engine, providing the scratch is light, it should not be an issue. The engine in the vid has now done 200 hours with its "scratched" conrod, being propped to rev at around 14K-15K RPMs.

[elpunto231]

Nice work....

[Techdeckmaster261]

Can u send me old front bearings

[MrHector0309]

Does this work for bigger engines such as a dirt bike 2 stroke engine

[vdubin64]

Awesome video !! Using this method my bearings simply fell out..

[billtoppa]

Great information. I replaced the bearings in my Saito 180 and had no luck getting the rear bearing out by heating. I devised a system to remove that suborn SOB. I will post a video soon.

[Films4You]

Two Excellent videos'



[BUGSY6191]

@xjet

Hello. I own an OS .61FX and am having trouble in freeing the connecting rod from the crankpin. Believe me, I tried and tried and it's not as simple as shown on your video. At least, not in this case.

There is another fellow here who posted 1 year ago and said he has the same problem but with the .61 SF.

Any suggestion would be much appreciated. Thankyou in advance.