It happens all too often: a minor or severe crash breaks off the mounting tab for your landing gear from the main frame. Often the frame is not badly damaged. However, without a means to mount the landing gear, you may be forced to replace the entire frame. This how-to was written to provide you with some ideas for mounting the landing gear in the event that the tab breaks off, and it will hopefully save you from having to replace the whole frame.
This author has two methods for approaching the repair. Every model will require a different approach because of variations in both design and crash damage. When I damage a mounting tab, I try the first method listed here, and if that is not practical I move to the second.
Method 1
If the model has a bottom support that is strong enough to be mounted to, I mount the landing gear on the inside of the frame.
1. Make sure there is enough material to mount to on the inside of the frame. If it seems too weak to support the landing gear, move on to Method 2.
2. Hold the gear firmly in place with the frame upside down and drill a new mounting hole on the inside of the frame. Keep the hole as close to the outside as practical while still maintaining the strength in the landing gear. Be cautious of anything mounted above the landing gear.
3. Use a machine screw inserted from underneath with washers and a self-locking nut on the inside of the frame.
Method 2
If there is nothing to mount to on the bottom of the frame, and you don't want to replace the entire frame, you will have to build a replacement mounting tab.
1. You will need a smooth mounting area for your new bracket. If part of the old mounting tab is left over, use a cut-off wheel to make it flush and smooth.
2. Make your new mounting tab bracket out of a small piece of aluminum or an angled piece of plastic. All you need is a simple 90-degree "L" bracket. Select the material you are going to use based on the size of your model, and cut it down so it is just large enough to serve its purpose.
3. Use a machine screw with a self-tapping nut on the inside of the frame to mount your bracket to the side of the frame. Mount it so the bottom of the bracket lines up flush with the bottom of the frame.
4. Drill your new mounting hole as close to the frame as possible. You might not be able to get the mounting hole close enough to the frame to allow you to use the original mounting hole in the landing gear. If that is the case, drill a new mounting hole in the landing gear.
5. Use a machine screw with a lock-nut to mount the landing gear to the new bracket.
Mounting Tab
Keep pieces of scrap aluminum or pieces of angled plastic in case you ever need to make a replacement mounting bracket. Sometimes broken parts can live on to fly another day and save you time and money.
Conclusion
It's really annoying when you do minor damage that forces you to replace major components of your helicopter. If you only break the mounting tabs for your landing gear (which is often the case) you can use these tips to get your bird back in the air without all the time involved in replacing the whole frame. There aren't very many parts on a helicopter where it's safe to make your own replacements, but the landing gear mounting tabs can be replaced and work fine as long as they are sturdy. Get a little creative and dig into your parts bin for scrap aluminum, and your heli can keep flying with ghetto fabulous style!
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