Originally Posted by
AW009
Might the tripod solution and the retention of the bolts by washer and nappy pins be fundamentally a bad design? Why does an office chair have five legs and why circlips have been invented being more resistant to axial forces and to wear by vibrations? A Cotter Pin 'Fokkernadel' is not constructed to transfer larger forces and the washer is like a punching tool.
Please see https://www.yumpu.com/xx/document/vi.../fokker-nadeln
Office chairs with five legs !!!! What office do you work in?
Three legs provide perfect stability. Have you never been in a restaurant at a table which rocks from side to side? Chances are it had four legs. Remove one leg and it will be rock steady.
Seriously, at the end of the day, any helicopter has to have a system which suspends the fuselage from the rotor head. The three support rod system has been in use for decades without problem. If it is designed, fitted and maintained correctly and there are no faults with the materials then it as as good as you will get.
Don't forget the barbecue plate is also a stressed component.