Digitalwoodshop
08-14-2007, 10:47 PM
My Z is waiting for some bearings. The Left upper bearing screw became loose and I tried to hold the nut with a scribe and damaged the bearing.
This is WHY LHR has a policy of only letting LHR Techs work on the Z Truck.... With almost 400 hours on this unit I talked them into selling me the bearings and I will replace the Z now and have the Y in Standby. I requested the screws too just to be safe. Stripped heads are NO fun.
Found my wrench for my HVLP sprayer is a thin 14 mm and works great. I will look for the parts breakdown and see how much they cost for replacements. Or another part for Ron. I have some screwdrivers that have a spring loaded tip to hold brass barrel nuts for Electronic Switchboards. This worked GREAT for the nuts on the back of the bearing screw.
In the end to tighten the screw that was loose you would need to remove the Z pack per the instructions from LHR then loosen and turn the 2 right hand Z bearing holders that are eccentric and are used to set the tension on the hardened rails that the Z rides up and down on.
Getting this adjustment correct is very important. Too loose and parts wear and with a spinning mass becomes a liability if the thing comes apart at full speed. Too tight and the Z pack is over stressed and will burn out.
I feel confident as is my prior life in the Navy I spent the first half of my career fixing Analog Gun Fire Control Computers. It was full of gears, synchros, servos, couplers, bearings, and backlash spring adjustments. Over time you develop a feel for it. It was a real screwup on my part messing up the bearing like I did. Had I seen the other end and understood the assembly I would be cutting right now with the disassembly and reassembly done without damaging the parts. Next time I will know. That is why I am writing this as a primer for the guys that might attempt it after warranty and the guys that are unsure and will now send the $2000.00 unit in for a $200.00 repair.... Well worth it.
I should say again that LHR frowns on anyone playing with the Z Truck for the many reasons including liability. Proceed with caution.
For now I will just post picture of what the Z looks like under the hood.
AL
This is WHY LHR has a policy of only letting LHR Techs work on the Z Truck.... With almost 400 hours on this unit I talked them into selling me the bearings and I will replace the Z now and have the Y in Standby. I requested the screws too just to be safe. Stripped heads are NO fun.
Found my wrench for my HVLP sprayer is a thin 14 mm and works great. I will look for the parts breakdown and see how much they cost for replacements. Or another part for Ron. I have some screwdrivers that have a spring loaded tip to hold brass barrel nuts for Electronic Switchboards. This worked GREAT for the nuts on the back of the bearing screw.
In the end to tighten the screw that was loose you would need to remove the Z pack per the instructions from LHR then loosen and turn the 2 right hand Z bearing holders that are eccentric and are used to set the tension on the hardened rails that the Z rides up and down on.
Getting this adjustment correct is very important. Too loose and parts wear and with a spinning mass becomes a liability if the thing comes apart at full speed. Too tight and the Z pack is over stressed and will burn out.
I feel confident as is my prior life in the Navy I spent the first half of my career fixing Analog Gun Fire Control Computers. It was full of gears, synchros, servos, couplers, bearings, and backlash spring adjustments. Over time you develop a feel for it. It was a real screwup on my part messing up the bearing like I did. Had I seen the other end and understood the assembly I would be cutting right now with the disassembly and reassembly done without damaging the parts. Next time I will know. That is why I am writing this as a primer for the guys that might attempt it after warranty and the guys that are unsure and will now send the $2000.00 unit in for a $200.00 repair.... Well worth it.
I should say again that LHR frowns on anyone playing with the Z Truck for the many reasons including liability. Proceed with caution.
For now I will just post picture of what the Z looks like under the hood.
AL