Loose rivets holding fan blades

[ErgoAGoGo]

Hi there. I’ve just seen a Model C with loose rivets attaching the fan blades to the flywheel metal. It was causing a lot of noise. I have managed to pack the small gap with laminate plastic sheet and resolved the issue. I wondered if anyone else has experienced this issue before? Is there something else that could be done? Thanks

[Carl Watts]

Personally I would probably remove the rivets one at a time and tap the steel and put in a button head cap screw with Loctite. Do them one at a time because you do not want to move the position of the fan on the steel because its a balanced assembly. The screw would be just long enough to stay flush with the back of the steel.

Not sure how they have become loose apart from the fact that there may be quite a bit of rust going on so the fix you have done may be temporary.

[ErgoAGoGo]

Thanks Carl, that’s really helpful.

[gvcormac]

I don't know how much money you want to invest, but I know that Concept 2 sells Model D replacement flywheels for under $100. I would not be surprised if they sell Model C as well (are they the same?). You need to contact them, as it is not listed in their online catalogue.

[Carl Watts]

The model D and the model C flywheels are totally different.

Personally these days I find that people are getting more and more reluctant to part with their cash when it comes to fixing their rowers so no point spending $100 if you already have the skills and the equipment to do it for free.

[Ombrax]

Wouldn't replacing rivets with threaded fasteners anywhere on the flywheel introduce a high likelihood of affecting the balance, probably enough to cause issues during the drive?

[Carl Watts]

Wouldn't replacing rivets with threaded fasteners anywhere on the flywheel introduce a high likelihood of affecting the balance, probably enough to cause issues during the drive?

Not likely if you know what you are doing. I replaced all the "inside" flywheel balancing weights with threaded fasteners after working out the weight of just the screw head and the weight of a washer.

The danger is someone completely removing the plastic fan and then not putting it back in the same place, that is guaranteed to stuff up the balance.

I'm not saying everyone should have a go at it but if you are an engineer its not a big deal.

[Ombrax]

Not likely if you know what you are doing. I replaced all the "inside" flywheel balancing weights with threaded fasteners after working out the weight of just the screw head and the weight of a washer.

I defer to the master.