How much will Garmin Pay?

[Glen Davis]

I have the dreaded servos from China in my GFC 500.   They are failing. My shop has informed me that Garmin will supply replacement servos for no charge and allow 2.5 hours of labor toward the removal/replacement.  Is this the deal that others recieved from Garmin.  Did it take longer than 2.5 hours per servo to remove/replace?

[donkaye]

1 minute ago, Glen Davis said:

I have the dreaded servos from China in my GFC 500.   They are failing. My shop has informed me that Garmin will supply replacement servos for no charge and allow 2.5 hours of labor toward the removal/replacement.  Is this the deal that others recieved from Garmin.  Did it take longer than 2.5 hours per servo to remove/replace?

I'll find out this week as mine are being changed out now.  I was told by the shop that it was 2 hours reimbursement for each servo.   If they charge me excess over 2 hours per servo, I'll call Garmin to see how much time they give to confirm the 2 hours.  One of the techs said it takes him about an hour per servo, but I'm not sure they've done any Mooney exchanges.

[bradp]

I’ve replaced 3 of my 4 servos under warranty.  0 cost to me with each replacement.  

[NotarPilot]

I hope Garmin learned something about where they choose to manufacture parts in the future. 

[Jake@BevanAviation]

Per Garmin SB 23024 rev A, they will pay 2.5 hours of labor per warranty servo replacement (011-02927-11 and 011-02927-21 non mod1).  You can submit a request for more time depending on the location and air-frame but is at Garmin's discretion for approval.

[201Mooniac]

All 4 of mine were replaced in less than a day so I think you should be good with the reimbursement if your shop has experience with GFC-500 installs.

[donkaye]

54 minutes ago, 201Mooniac said:

All 4 of mine were replaced in less than a day so I think you should be good with the reimbursement if your shop has experience with GFC-500 installs.

I'm into the 3rd day and the installer says several of the servos are very difficult; not the servo removal but the cabling.  I don't think they've done a Bravo replacement before.  As good as the shop is supposed to be, I'm now thinking I should have spent the money and time going to the original installer in Minden.  I expect this "no cost" replacement is going to cost me a lot--disappointingly.

[201Mooniac]

2 hours ago, donkaye said:

I'm into the 3rd day and the installer says several of the servos are very difficult; not the servo removal but the cabling.  I don't think they've done a Bravo replacement before.  As good as the shop is supposed to be, I'm now thinking I should have spent the money and time going to the original installer in Minden.  I expect this "no cost" replacement is going to cost me a lot--disappointingly.

Don, sorry to hear that, I presume by cabling they mean the control cables, not the electrical ones as they are trivially easy.  I don't know why a Bravo would be significantly harder than my 201 other than maybe a further reach into the tail.

[donkaye]

3 hours ago, 201Mooniac said:

Don, sorry to hear that, I presume by cabling they mean the control cables, not the electrical ones as they are trivially easy.  I don't know why a Bravo would be significantly harder than my 201 other than maybe a further reach into the tail.

That was what they said was the problem; the longer reach on the YD servo especially, and yes it is the control cables.  

[201Mooniac]

18 hours ago, donkaye said:

That was what they said was the problem; the longer reach on the YD servo especially, and yes it is the control cables.  

I guess they need a smaller person who fits into the tail.  Seriously though, I hope they get this done quickly and correctly for you.

[donkaye]

4 minutes ago, 201Mooniac said:

I guess they need a smaller person who fits into the tail.  Seriously though, I hope they get this done quickly and correctly for you.

It was finished yesterday late afternoon.  I'm going test fly it this morning.

[hypertech]

I don't have a YD but I had all mine replaced.  Did not see a bill for any of it.  Garmin dealer (not the original installer but now my local guy) handled it all.

[donkaye]

7 hours ago, donkaye said:

It was finished yesterday late afternoon.  I'm going test fly it this morning.

I test flew the plane today and I have my AP back working.  I WILL get a bill, since it took a lot more time than allocated.  Garmin will hear from me about that!

[ArtVandelay]

I test flew the plane today and I have my AP back working.  I WILL get a bill, since it took a lot more time than allocated.  Garmin will hear from me about that!

I don’t understand your previous post about the cabling being difficult, it’s a D-shell connector, 2 screws…should be simple and a 2 minute operation to disconnect or reconnect.

[201Mooniac]

20 minutes ago, ArtVandelay said:

I don’t understand your previous post about the cabling being difficult, it’s a D-shell connector, 2 screws…should be simple and a 2 minute operation to disconnect or reconnect.

The issue isn't the electrical wiring but the cables that connect to the control points (push/pull tubes, etc.).  They need to be removed from the servo, reinstalled and then rerigged.  While it isn't really difficult, the location in the tailcone of the long bodies makes it a painful job and one that can benefit from someone of smaller size (I don't fit well back there and am definitely not flexible enough).

[donkaye]

32 minutes ago, ArtVandelay said:

I don’t understand your previous post about the cabling being difficult, it’s a D-shell connector, 2 screws…should be simple and a 2 minute operation to disconnect or reconnect.

I wasn't clear.  It was the active servo control cable.

[PT20J]

I’m doing my annual now and I looked at my installation today and I cannot imagine it taking more than 2.5 hrs per servo. The wiring is in place, the brackets are in place, the cables are in place. You just need to loosen the cables, disconnect the electrical connector, remove the servo, install the new servo, connect the connector and tension the cables. 

[Aerodon]

53 minutes ago, donkaye said:

I wasn't clear.  It was the active servo control cable.

Something is not making sense.  I'm familiar with the K model, but the M cannot be much different?

The trim servo should be the easiest to replace - it's a sprocket and chain arrangement, accessible through the avionics door.  Easy.  The pitch and yaw dampers are next easiest.  cable attached to the fore and aft end of the pushrods.  Inspection doors at the back, through the avionics bay at the front.  Cable tension needs to be adjusted, and three different bridle cable lengths are available.  But the servo mounts are so exact, I can't believe it will take long.

The aileron servo is most tedious to install, but one the cable routing and alignment are sorted, replacement can't be too long.

I think you are paying for someone else's learning experience.  I have seen techs spend hours reading through installation or service manuals before starting, and others that can open the book at the page that is needed.

 

Aerodon

 

[Stanton R]

On 10/31/2024 at 4:30 PM, donkaye said:

I test flew the plane today and I have my AP back working.  I WILL get a bill, since it took a lot more time than allocated.  Garmin will hear from me about that!

I wouldn't pay a dime unless they had to rework something from when the autopilot was installed. First off the job shouldn't have taken more than 2.5 hours per servo and second it is a warranty replacement and Garmin and your shop should work out what gets paid and/or written off.

Third I would be a little concerned that the work wasn't done correctly if it truly took 3 days.