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Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Alignment

ENSTROM F28F · Maintenance Manual

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Overview

This document provides maintenance instructions for aligning the tail rotor drive shaft of the Enstrom F28F helicopter. It details an alternate method using calipers for precise alignment, ensuring proper functioning of the tail rotor system.

  • Use calipers instead of gauge blocks for alignment.
  • Alignment tool heights must be within ±.001 inches.
  • Vertical differences at any position should be within ±.012 inches.
  • Shimming may be required to achieve proper alignment.
  • Lateral alignment checks are necessary after vertical alignment.
  • Refer to specific sections of the TH-28/480 and F28F/280F manuals for detailed procedures.

Document

Source

Originally published by enstromhelicopter.com. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.

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Document details

Type
·
Maintenance Manual
File size
·
255 KB
Publisher
·
enstromhelicopter.com
Language
·
en
About this document
What is the Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Alignment?

The Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Alignment is a maintenance manual for the ENSTROM F28F.

Where does the Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Alignment come from?

This copy of the Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Alignment was originally published by enstromhelicopter.com and is hosted on Sprinkle as a free, searchable reference copy.

Documentation completeness
3/7

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In this document

Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Alignment

Instructions for aligning the tail rotor drive shaft using calipers, including steps for measuring and adjusting alignment.

Alignment Tool Installation

Details on installing alignment tools on the drive shafts and positioning the piano wire for measurement.

Measurement Procedures

Step-by-step procedures for measuring distances and ensuring alignment tolerances are met.

Shimming Procedures

Guidance on adding or subtracting shims to achieve proper vertical alignment.

Lateral Alignment Checks

Instructions for checking lateral alignment after achieving vertical alignment.

Referencing Other Manuals

Instructions to refer to the TH-28/480 and F28F/280F maintenance manuals for additional procedures.

Safety notes

  • Ensure tail rotor drive shaft bearing hardware is properly torqued before taking measurements.
  • If alignment tools differ in height greater than allowable, proper alignment cannot be achieved.

Full document text

Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Alignment Alternate Method (Enstrom TH-28/480 Series Maintenance Manual Section 11-61 and Enstrom F- 28F/280F Series Maintenance Manual Section 10-6) This alternate method uses calipers in place of the gauge block (P/N T-0143-9 for turbine helicopters, P/N T-2656 for piston helicopters) to align the trail rotor drive shaft in accordance with section 11-61 and 10-6 in both the TH28/480 and F28F/280F series maintenance manuals. A. Remove the aft tail rotor drive shaft cover and open remaining covers. B. Install the tail drive shaft alignment tools (Turbine Helicopters: T-0143, Piston Helicopters: T-0088) on the forward end of the short shaft and the aft end of the long shaft. Attach the piano wire to the tools and position the piano wire vertically with the center line of the drive shafts. (Figure 11-13) C. Verify the alignment tool heights are within ±.001 inches at the forward and aft positions using the following method. Alignment tools installed at forward end of the short shaft. Verify height of alignment tools at FWD and AFT positions. a. Using a set of calipers measure the distance between the wire and short shaft approximately 1 inch aft of the forward alignment tool. b. Measure the distance between the wire and the long shaft 1 inch forward of the aft alignment tool. c. The difference between the two previous measurements should be no greater than .002 inches. D. If alignment tool heights are outside allowable limits it will be necessary to file the high/tall alignment tool saddle (the location where the piano wire rests in the alignment tool) to obtain the proper height. a. Filing may be accomplished by using small file. b. File the saddle and measure per paragraph C until the proper tolerance of ±.001 inches is obtained. E. Starting at the forward drive shaft bearing assembly, measure the distance between the drive shaft and the piano wire. Repeat this for the remaining drive shaft bearing assemblies. The vertical difference at any position should be within ±.012. If the difference is greater than ±.012 add or subtract shims under the bearing assembly to bring the shaft into proper alignment. Torque the hardware and recheck the alignment after each adjustment. a. For turbine helicopters refer to Enstrom TH- 28/480 maintenance manual, section 11-61, paragraph C and D for shimming procedures. b. For piston helicopters refer to Enstrom F28F/280F maintenance manual, section 10- 6, paragraph L (2) for shimming procedures. F. When proper vertical alignment is achieved, rotate the tail rotor drive shafts 90ᵒ to check lateral alignment. G. Starting at the forward drive shaft bearing assembly, measure the distance between the drive shaft and the piano wire. Repeat this for the remaining drive shaft bearing assemblies. The lateral difference at any position should be within ±.012. If the difference is greater than ±.012, Note Insure tail rotor drive shaft bearing hardware is properly torqued before taking measurements and after each adjustment. Note If the alignment tools differ in height greater than allowable it is not possible to obtain proper alignment of the tail rotor drive shaft loosen the bearing assembly hardware and shift the position of the bearing assembly. Torque the hardware and recheck the alignment after each adjustment. a. For turbine helicopters refer to Enstrom TH-28/480 maintenance manual, section 11-61, paragraph F and G for lateral shift procedures. b. For piston helicopters refer to Enstrom F28F/280F maintenance manual, section 10-6, paragraph L (3) for lateral shift procedures. H. Continue alignment procedure for turbine helicopters per Enstrom TH-28/480 maintenance manual, section 11-61, paragraph H through M.