I recently purchased a bellcrank for my Sea Fury project and I feel there is excessive play in the bellcrank to the point that I wouldn't trust it using a Rossi 60  engine. There is approximately 1/32" clearance under the head of the main brass bearing, which allows excessive sideways bellcrank wobble. Is this normal? Is there a fix for it? I could try tapping the brass bushing down a little onto the main shaft and then re center punching the shaft but I don't know if this is possible. There might be a step in the shaft that prevents tightening up the clearance. Anyway these bellcranks aren't cheap and the hobby shop I bought it from is 250 miles away. Any help is greatly appreciated.

I recently purchased a bellcrank for my Sea Fury project and I feel there is excessive play in the bellcrank to the point that I wouldn't trust it using a Rossi 60  engine. There is approximately 1/32" clearance under the head of the main brass bearing, which allows excessive sideways bellcrank wobble. Is this normal? Is there a fix for it? I could try tapping the brass bushing down a little onto the main shaft and then re center punching the shaft but I don't know if this is possible. There might be a step in the shaft that prevents tightening up the clearance. Anyway these bellcranks aren't cheap and the hobby shop I bought it from is 250 miles away. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Dennis, I dont know the dimension or the tolerance but there is a good amount of wobble. The whole assembly is very loose with no ill affects (IMHO). I would also suggest some lubrication with libriplate or some form of it.
Thanks
Wayne

I have several Brodak bellcranks including a C-21 (long span), which has an acceptable amount of play. The one in question is a C-22 (short span) and it is "loose as a goose" and twice as wobbly. The difference between them other than their span is the amount of clearance between the underside of the top brass bushing and the bellcrank itself. I need to use the short span C-22 for my Sea Fury unless I cut the other one down. I was hoping that there was some way to tighten up the clearance without ruining the unit.

If you think it's defective, just mail it back to Brodak. 

I'm sure he'll swap it for a good one.

That's certainly an option to consider. I do have the greatest respect for John and hate to bug the company over a small part. He's done a lot of good for the hobby and also directly for our club.

I would certainly at least contact John about the bellcrank - the only way that he will know that there is an issue is if the customers tell him.

Our experience here is that EVERY problem reported to him directly has been fixed to the satisfaction of the customer!

Hey All,
I recently had a brand new C-21 that came apart after it was installed in the wing. I called Brodak and explained the problem. They replaced it immediately without my having to send the defective one in. I received the new one in about 2 days.

Very good service.

Kelly Wilson