Motor removal is impossible (without drilling out)

[sefrez]

Well, one of the motors on my Hoten X was not turing too well, compared to the others. I figured it had something to do with the sir clip on the back of the motor. So I played around with it while the motor was in place. I found that it could not easily be removed with the motor in place. That being, I bent it a little myself leaving the motor in worse shape.

I figured I could fix the minor bends if I went about it the proper way, by removing the motor from the fixing block first. There is a hex bolt on the end of the fixing block that holds the motor in place. I attempted to remove it with an allan wrench (1/16th.) I had to put so much torque on it that it stripped out. After hours of trying to remove the bolt, this happened:
imageshack.us/a/img706/8830/viks.jpg
imageshack.us/a/img404/6200/58f4.jpg

The bolt head broke off. Looking in the cavity where the bolt had was, the bolt shaft is still tightly in place, and it looks cemented in place! I have no idea why Walkera sells motors and motor fixing blocks separately if it is impossible to take apart the two without damage.

If I want to give this motor a chance, I am going to have to drill out the bolt shaft so that I can remove it and look at the sir clip. Though, I am unsure as to how far to go without hitting the motor. Even if I do this, and I can fix the motor, I am going to need to purchase another screw set (I assume this screw is included in the set?) and probably another motor fixing block. If I cannot do this or fix the motor, I'm going to need the previous and a new motor.

Has anyone else had problems with removing these bolts? I'm pretty sure the one on this fixing block is glued in place, or it at least has a lock tight stronger than what the bolt can handle.

[sefrez]

Update: I drilled out the screw and was able to remove the motor undamaged. I was also able to fix the motor. So I only need the screw set and a mounting block.

[cds1950]

Glad it worked out for you.

I also have the Hoten X so I thought I would try to remove the same screw tonight. Well I stopped when the 1.5mm hex driver seemed about at its limits for not stripping out. I also tried the screws that hold the motor mount to the boom, same problem. It looks like they are far too tight or they have the very strong thread locking "stuff" used on them at the factory.

For future reference, what sixe of drill bit did you use?

Thanks for sharing.

Dale

[sefrez]

Yes, they are definitely locked in place. I used a drill press for better accuracy, and started with a 1/16th inch drill bit so that I could do minimal damage to the mount. This drill bit proved too flimsy. Not that it could not be done, but it would have been too troublesome. Given that I no longer cared about the mount, I moved up to a 9/64th inch drill bit. It is about the size of the mounts hole. I drilled down to where on the back of the mount you see the circumference of the motor bearing to lie. After that, I was able to tap out the motor with little force.

[cds1950]

Thanks for the information. I will keep this thread in mind if I ever have to change out a motor. Good to know in advance.

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[sefrez]

Do you know what size hex screw is on the motor cap (right below the propeller on the axle)? It's quite small. The one motor I have is still a bit sluggish in its movement. I believe the cap and the clip on the other side of the motor are too tightly gripping the bearing. I figure, if loosening that hex screw, and it allows me to re-position the cap, I could give more length for the bearing exist in-between.

[cds1950]

I will check mine but it will be a few days as we have company staying in my hobby room so I can't get in to it for a few days.

When you say "size" are you wanting to know the size of the hex driver needed?

Dale

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[sefrez]

Okay, thanks. Yes, I am referring to the size of the hex driver. I would guess that it is around 0.7mm.

[cds1950]

Just bought the driver that fits. It is 0.9 mom. They also recommended heating the metal around the set screw with a soldering iron first. Let us know if it helps.
Dale

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[sefrez]

Oh, I didn't know you were going to buy anything. Didn't need to, but thanks! When you say "0.9 mom", do you mean "0.9 mm"? The heating idea might be good if it expands the metal around the screw. I should have tried this with the mount.

[cds1950]

Your correct on the 'mm' assumption. Got to love autocorrect. I am collecting the tools I need to work on all my toys so this was a needed purchase anyway. Not a problem and if I am lucky it will work on some of my other micro toys. Hope this helps.

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[RRP]

You said your motor is a little sluggish so when you try to fly it does it just want to tip backwards and the prop hits the ground? My prop broke in half and I installed a new prop, but now it just wants to tip backwards and it seems like the motor isn't spinning the same as the others and when I shut the motors down it stops faster than the others.So do you think I damaged the motor when the prop broke? Thanks for any help.