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Hello trombone community!

Someone knows this answer and my local repair tech didn't. I ordered replacement parts for a dual axial Q-series and the rod I got was straight, but the rod on the Q series is bent. See pictures. I want to know:
1. Did they send the wrong part?
2. Am I to bend this part with a certain tool?
if so, 3. What's the tool?
Extra Credit: What's the degree of the angle.

Edit:
Just in case people are following this thread, Shires followed up with the same answer as Brad (below). If it hits the spindle, make the bend. I asked to clarify my situation and the bend also does solve the problem of the minibal running out of rotation ability. Here's the quote:
"As for the linkage being bent, they usually are bent (I sent the unbent version as I wasn't 100% sure if it was for an axial or a rotor) but sometimes will work just fine without being bent. If it seems like it is hitting the stop arm with it straight you can take it in between two parallel jaw pliers and put a slight bend in it. There isn't an exact measurement as it is not bent much."

In addition, I learned that the minibals aren't necessarily going to work if you just tighten them up. For the correct angles you may have to loosen them a bit. In that case, you can cinch the minibals with a pair of pliers in place (not the ball and socket part, the screw sheath part). Obviously do this all carefully and like to quote Miles O'Malley to the best of my ability, "If you're doing something sketchy, use lots of lube."

It doesn't need to be bent, unless it's hitting the spindle.

Thanks for the response Brad! My concern is that it's not getting a full rotation, upon closer inspection based on your comment, it's not hitting the spindle, instead, the minibal attached to the lever is running out of rotation ability which is stopping it. I think the bend fixes that problem.

I'll try and attach new pics above of both angles fully engaged.

Oh, interesting. I guess I don't know the answer to your question then.

I took a look at some pictures online of a demo Q36YA, and the link in question looks like your old one. The one your tech received looks like one from the rotary valve version, which is straight. In other words, you have the wrong link.

I'd go back and have your tech order the correct part.

Have a decent bench vice? Have a split V block for the fixed side? Support both ends nicely, have something else to make a point contact in the middle (maybe a larger diameter rod). Make sure you have marked the orientation of the rod as installed (it will matter). Carefully crank the vice to bend it in the middle to bend it. Probably going to screw up the first one, so try to find a similar rod to practice on.

Results definitely not guaranteed,
Andy

Thanks for the responses! I'm going to see if shires sent the wrong part first. I found a shop that has the Q36YA. It's for sure bent but also seems longer. I reached out to them, but it seems they're on a break. The trouble is that the part matched the schematic they post online. So, I may have to figure out how to bend it. I'll update this when I have answers!

Don't try and bend it yourself, if you have no idea as to how to do it. Take it to a tech.