KFC 200 Trim Servo Motor

[lsearcy]

Panel:

 

I have a 1981 M20J.  I am based at 2L0 (Pineville, La.) KFC 200 Autopilot altitude hold was intermittent and then quit working completely.  I had an avionics shop in Houma La. check out the problem and was told the trim servo motor was bad.  Avionics shop could not locate a replacement "motor" but said I could have the motor rebuilt for about $2,500.  However, nobody has a rebuilt servo motor either.  He suggested a new servo for $4,800 or sending it a guy in California that won't quote a price for rebuilding the motor or servo.  I called Autopilots central in Tulsa who said he would look at rebuilding it for about $1,000.  I have owned the plane for a few months and before that I rented.  Accordingly, I have no history on what shops to use or which one are reputable.

 

Here are the questions:  (1) does anyone have one of these motors or servos for sale?  (2) Recommendations on a place to rebuild the servo or motor or both; (3) what kind of price should I really expect?

 

Thanks, Lawrence.

[LAE]

Autopilots Central! I know there's someone somewhere that will say different but my experience with them has been A++

[KSMooniac]

I just sold a serviceable trim servo motor from my '81 salvage J, and had it checked out by Bevan-Rabell here in Wichita.  They also ended up rebuilding the roll servo for ~$550 IIRC, but it could have been more if the tach drive needed attention.  You might call them and ask about fixing yours as I suspect it will be much cheaper than buying a new one or exchanging for a different one.  

 

Also, are you sure it is the servo that is failing?  Does the trim operation function normally without altitude hold?

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

Save yourself some heartache and call autopilots central

[lsearcy]

The avionics guy that pulled it out is sure it is trim servo.  The trim does operate normally when altitude hold not engaged.  In fact, I noticed the problem because the trim would not assist the autopilot.  The yoke would move back and forth creating a wave action but the trim wheel did not operate at all.  Anyway, the servo is out and I will send to Tulsa to have them look at it.  They seem to get rave reviews.  I saw another post on KFC 150 and should probably have read that before posting.  Thanks for the input.

[jetdriven]

Autopilots are highly specialized parts. Id only go with a shop that is qualified to work on them and the only one I know is Autopilots Central in Tulsa.

[KSMooniac]

If the electric trim works but the altitude hold does not, then the problem could be with the computer.  You should call Autopilots Central before removing or sending anything, and describe the symptoms.  They have a good track record of narrowing down the offending hardware over the phone and saving hours of troubleshooting.

 

(and a shameless plug...if your computer or altitude board ends up being bad, I have one for sale with an 8130)

[kortopates]

Until the last couple of years there wasn't any approved sources for rebuilding the Bendix King servo motors - but now there is at least one. Can't recall the name but you should be able to find them on the web. Personally I would try to find one and send it and the trim servo unit to AP Central or King Avionics or one of the other shops that repair them. Most of them can't repair a bad motor though unless they're going through another shop for the motor. When I had your problem back in 2008 I finally found a serviceable unit at a salvage yard.

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[rogerl]

Please see attached recent experience; your work may be more significant (motor?).

[FBCK]

I had mine rebiult last year, in Canada, cost was $800 and has worked well ever since, so your in the ball park on pricing with Tulsa.

[aviatoreb]

Autopilot central is the answer to every question that begins with I am having a problem and ends with the name of a legacy autopilot.

[kevinw]

I just get my J back from the avionics shop. The roll servo had to be sent off to Century Flight for a rebuild as it was intermittently quitting on me. I haven't received the bill yet but he told me it will be about $800. He said doing a motor exchange would run about $4K but I had the option.

[jetdriven]

I just get my J back from the avionics shop. The roll servo had to be sent off to Century Flight for a rebuild as it was intermittently quitting on me. I haven't received the bill yet but he told me it will be about $800. He said doing a motor exchange would run about $4K but I had the option.

Another satisfied customer. I joined BT not because I am a Beech fan (I am, 4k hours in the. 1900D), but because of the wealth of info there.

4K redid his entire autopilot including test flying.

http://www.beechtalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=89773&start=0