Inspire 1 Proper Maintenance Question

Kevin Cabral · Apr 23, 2016

I'm a new owner of the inspire 1. Love the machine! However, I hear it needs maintenance. Especially on the main center screw where the landing gear goes up and down. I see DJI applied some sort of lube or grease. What is a safe lube to use on this center screw?

One last thing. I'm wondering what is a safe surface for the inspire when going in travel mode? I'm worried of stressing out the motor when it enters travel mode. This is the table I used an hour ago when it went in travel mode. If the inspire detects a rough texture where the legs can't slide outwards when travel mode is engaged, will it refuse it at all? I would assume rough texture not allowing the legs to slide would cause stress on the motor?

I apologize if I'm asking to many questions. I'm just worried and would like to care for the machine so it lasts long.

Thanks in advance

Talon Six · Apr 23, 2016

Lynn Phan posted a good article here on what types of lube to use. For going in and out of travel mode, just make sure you are using a smooth surface like a tabletop and you will be fine.

That being said there are a number of very good landing mode cases out there. I have the Inspak and love it.

Kevin Cabral · Apr 23, 2016

Has everyone followed this article at all? I may consider buying the lube for when I need to apply it.

Talon Six · Apr 23, 2016

Yes me, and it works. Well.

Kevin Cabral · Apr 23, 2016

Talon Six said:
Yes me, and it works. Well.

I'll pick up the tri flow. If I can't get one locally, I'll get the dry fluid gear grease

Kevin Cabral · Nov 7, 2017

Hey everyone, I got a quick question. Is WD-40 SPECIALIST dry lube safe on rubber and plastic? I cleaned the lead screw and also had to clean the rubber boot. Doing my routine maintenance. Trying to clean under the rubber boot is a bit tough, so I cleaned the best I could. Tried to get rid of most of the old grease. Regreased the lead screw under the rubber boot with tri flow synthetic grease. Then slipped the rubber boot back in place on top of the plastic pinion. I was using the regular WD 40 before, but I figured the dry lube version would be a better option. It doesn't stay wet, which is a good thing. Now the rubber boot looks shiny lol, like it's brand new again

.

Here's the dry lube I used: WD-40 Specialist

Håkan22 · Nov 18, 2017

Kevin Cabral said:
Hey everyone, I got a quick question. Is WD-40 SPECIALIST dry lube safe on rubber and plastic? I cleaned the lead screw and also had to clean the rubber boot. Doing my routine maintenance. Trying to clean under the rubber boot is a bit tough, so I cleaned the best I could. Tried to get rid of most of the old grease. Regreased the lead screw under the rubber boot with tri flow synthetic grease. Then slipped the rubber boot back in place on top of the plastic pinion. I was using the regular WD 40 before, but I figured the dry lube version would be a better option. It doesn't stay wet, which is a good thing. Now the rubber boot looks shiny lol, like it's brand new again .

Here's the dry lube I used: WD-40 Specialist

Purchased a can of WD-40 SPECIALIST too. Just gave my Inspire a taste of it and it appears the landing gear runs much smoother. It might have been my old grease was more or less gone.

Kevin Cabral · Nov 18, 2017

Håkan22 said:
Purchased a can of WD-40 SPECIALIST too. Just gave my Inspire a taste of it and it appears the landing gear runs much smoother. It might have been my old grease was more or less gone.

Good to hear it runs smoother now by using the WD 40 dry lube. Knowing that it's a PTFE spray (Teflon), it should be safe. It's made out of a plastic after all. I use the WD 40 dry lube for cleaning the old grease off the lead screw. Works great. I'd recommend using Tri Flow Synthetic grease after cleaning off the lead screw, but it's up to you. Not sure how long the WD 40 dry lube stays on the lead screw, so keep an eye out for that

. I clean and regrease every 20-30 flights. Maybe earlier if the lead screw or bearings show it's dirty.

Kevin Cabral · Nov 18, 2017

If you do use grease, apply the grease under the rubber boot. At least this way the grease isn't exposed to the elements. Only problem I find applying grease under the boot is it's hard to clean later on

. You can simply lift the rubber boot all the way up and also the area is very tight to work with. So normally I spray the WD 40 dry lube on a q-tip and clean the old grease off the lead screw that way.

Håkan22 · Nov 18, 2017

Kevin Cabral said:
If you do use grease, apply the grease under the rubber boot. At least this way the grease isn't exposed to the elements. Only problem I find applying grease under the boot is it's hard to clean later on . You can simply lift the rubber boot all the way up and also the area is very tight to work with. So normally I spray the WD 40 dry lube on a q-tip and clean the old grease off the lead screw that way.

Ok. Thanks for the tip. I think i will out tomorrow and check out how it works in the air too. Done that GO update and need to check out so that all is OK anyway. That is if I manage to get out before it's getting dark which happens sooner than later this time of the year..

Kevin Cabral · Nov 18, 2017

Håkan22 said:
Ok. Thanks for the tip. I think i will out tomorrow and check out how it works in the air too. Done that GO update and need to check out so that all is OK anyway. That is if I manage to get out before it's getting dark which happens sooner than later this time of the year..

Yeah no worries. Report back once you finish flying. I was told last year to apply the grease to the threads of the lead screw when in travel mode. I did this for a year and no issues. However... I have heard people running into problems with grit sticking to the grease and damaging the system. Luckily I had no issues... Ever since I heard that... I have been applying the grease under the rubber boot. Been doing this for the past 6 months now. I find this method is far safer. It's a bit of a pain to clean the grease off before applying new grease, but it's a safer method I think. Once you apply the grease to the threads under the rubber boot... Transform the landing gear up and down a few times. Then you're ready to go

Kevin Cabral · Nov 18, 2017

Only thing that is exposed is the bearings at the bottom of the lead screw. I apply a very little amount of grease and transform the landing gear a few times. I'm sure a tiny bit of grease does find it's way on the threads, but it's nothing major compared to the method I used for a year. Every so often I check the bearings and see if it collected and dust or grit. If so, I clean with WD 40 specialist dry lube and regrease.

Ttur23 · Jan 1, 2018

Thanks for all the updates on this. I will be trying this for the first time as I just ordered the tri flow grease. The space seems tight and wasn’t sure if the rubber boots slip on and off but after reading your post it seems they do. Hopefully it’s as simple as you guys make it sound.