Speed-T Steering "arm" falls of...(new to...)

[seh2000]

Hi...
I am new to RC and I am not too sure if this issue been addressed, if then accept my apology. It might by using the correct technical words...

We got our Speed-T a few weeks back, but tried it first day after Christmas...

We found that one steering arm (see attached pictures - sorry about the dust seen on the parts) might be the H.D. 30-degree Plastic Rod End (sport)(12) as per the replacement list. This "arm" tends to jump of very often e.g. after hitting a wall or after a jump. It can be put in place by pressure, but we wonder if this is normal or if because we are new this happens when not to good a driver! Also, if this "arm" can be replaced with other arm and ball that have less tendency to jump of.

Answers are very appreciated...


Merry Christmas - Steen

[packhntr]

Welcome to the board and to the hobby! Yes...the ball cup is supposed to pop off when it is impacted with enough force...this is to save the tie-rod from bending. If it pops off to easily (they do wear out when popped off TOO much) then you should replace it with a new one. This is a wear item. I don't want to sound sarcastic, but the best way to avoid it is to stop hitting stuff...LOL....seriously, it's all part of the learning of the hobby. The sport ones have more "give" in them that teh ones used on teh full competition vehicles...same goes for the suspension arms.....better they give and flex than snap!

[seh2000]

Hi packhntr,
Thanks for you're reply...
We might have over done it with the car, but for a long time we really wanted something a bit more than the RC Cars from the "toy stores"...
Also, we see we drive a bit more type off-road so maybe we have to modify the one we have or buy other :(
I see your point and of cause if we try avoid walls and other obstacles the ball-cup will not pop off. We drove an hour just now and we had no "accidents", I just wanted to be sure the ball-cup was supposed to pop off like this, or not. Also - if we should look for some kind of replacement / upgrade e.g. for more type off road driving.

[packhntr]

Hey, no prob. I've been in this hobby now since '83.....things have changed a LOT since then.. If you're running it more off road, just swap the wheels and tires for some more appropriate... I have a fully tricked out Desert Truck that uses almost all the same components......and it's fun as he&&! For wheels and tires, I am using 320 series Spokz with 320 series Smashel XL's. They hook up great on all surfaces! If you're running off road though, I would recemend ugrading your differential from a spool to an actual diff....it will handle a LOT better! To do that, all you need to do is replace the "locker plate" in teh differential with some 3/32 diff balls. Use the XXXTcr manual for rebuild/adjustment and maintainance instructions. Here's my ride here: http://forum.losi.com/showthread.php?t=297

[seh2000]

Thanks - again - for your feedback and WOW, great pictures...Like the 2nd and the 4th (p_00155.jpg & p_00157.jpg) as one can see how you done the "inside"...the lamps are a nice touch, they part of the original car or your add-one? The on all the time or you can switch them on and of?

We got lots of sand around us, is this recommend to drive in? I mean the Speed-T is a on-road and as such - if I understand correct - many of the parts are not dust proof...so can I drive in sand?

Yes, I read about the differential and I plan in January to order the balls, and at same time I'll try the recommended tire combination as on your car that combination looks super raw!
I also read that the gearing can be changed when driving more off-road type...so maybe I should order like keep the 88 tooth but replace the 20 tooth pinion with e.g. 15 or?

[packhntr]

Actually, the lamp housings are part of the Desert Truck front bumper....(losa4060 - stock or losa4060C for chrome)..the lamps are part of the "package" when you buy the truck...they are available seperately....LOSB9998...and can be installed on anything....and yes, they are on all the time...they plug into the receiver....when there is power, they are on....I never noticed any drop in runtime though...they use so little energy.

The Speed-T (like the Desert Truck) is based on the XXXTcr.....you can run it in the sand, dirt, asphault, wherever..... In sand, your maintainance will be higher though. One thing you can do to help seal the tranny case is to apply a little grease (LOSA3066 - Super Stick assembly grease) on the inside perimeter of each tranny half before you close it up and bolt it together.....this forms a seal that sand has a very difficult time penetrating. On the shocks, use Associated Green Slime (or teh aformentioned greese).....when you rebuild the shocks, disassembly the cartridge, clean the components, place some of the greese in the cartridge, insert an O ring, add more greese, insert the spacer, add more greese, add the final O ring and then cap it off.
This does two important things....1: it reduces friction (and stiction) between the O rings and the shock shaft and 2: it helps prevent dirt, sand and dust from entering the body of the shock...extending the life of the shock oil.
If you will be running in sand a lot, your wheel bearings will be requiring a little more attention than normal....there is no such thing as a completely sealed bearing (I worked for a world leading bearing manufacturer....complete sealing is not possible for long). Invest in an RPM bearing blaster and some good bearing oil. Trinity and others make some really nice stuff with great applicators. When to clean them? When they start feeling "gritty".
As for gearing, currently I am using a 20/86...but I am also running a 8.5T motor with 9.9V....when I am using my 6.6V packs, I drop down to a 18/86. If anything, upgrade to a Kevlar spur gear if it doesn't already have one......I nuked my stock one soon as I dropped in my brushless motor...and only on 6.6v!
For strictly sand running for tires, check Proline.....they have some paddles (Proline 1052) and then some ribs up front (Proline 8095 or Losi 7505s) those are all 2.2" tires, so there will be a higher sidewall....but similar rollout.
The ones I listed previously are a great all around, basher tire....I love 'em! I just wish I would have gotten them unmounted! I would have belted them! By belting, you run a strip or two of duct tape or fiberglass packing tape around the inside center of the tire....keeps it from ballooning as bad....as it is, they (front and rear) more than double in size.....I've blown all four off their wheels!

[packhntr]

"soft sand" is an RC car's, any RC car, worst enemy - avoid whenever possible.
hard-packed dirt or clay is fine, but sand should be avoided

Sand is ok if you prep your truck right and do the proper maintainance.....it is a lot harder on things, but you can do it.....

Heck, back in the day we ran on tracks that were DIRT....not this hard pack clay crap that everyone tries to pass of as a dirt track...it's like running on asphault! it's murder on the vehicle! and tires!

[seh2000]

Hi joe-cool - guess Desert Sand could be OK, while maybe more type Beach Sand is maybe to be avoided...

[seh2000]

Hi packhntr (answer #8),

Many thanks for your detailed answer - for sure see we have lots to learn about this sport. With inputs from people like you we will get on our way I am sure! Especial about maintenance!!!

We got (well - bought) the latest Speed-T with brushless motor our "power" pack is a 5000mAh Lipo battery, run in "training" mode ;) and I am not sure if the spur gear is of Kevlar or not. Guess I will have to post a message here about or try to take it apart...

We have a dirt area near-by with a combination of loose earth, sand (no too fine), small stones and whatever. Seams the Speed-T "likes" this surface - well we do! :cool: when driving there, as the wheels spins nice and skids to the sides when turning. We put some of these red cones (small or shot types) to mark the track. But the car gets a bit dusty :) guess the challenge here is the shock absorbers as you mentioned.

You say you wish you had gotten the wheel/tire combination you mentioned unmounted and I understand why, but can the be ordered unmounted - or? As we will not run only on sand therefore an all around combination is more likely to be for us...

Again - many many thanks for your valuable inputs... :)

[packhntr]

No probs....the spur gear.....if it is a tanish color then it is a Kevlar one...if it is some other color, then it is not....
I would have to say that when running in a sandy/dusty surface, you will want to use some sort of compressed air to blow off the sand/dust.....a computer propelent can will work in a pinch....a compresser is best and cheapest in the long run....considerably more expensive up front....just use the propelent cans for now....
The truck will like the dirt a lot more as it will be more controlable and drivable.
Yes, the tires are available unmounted......I am still kicking myself on that one! Ah well, live and learn!

[packhntr]

now who, other than a serious racer, does that? :rolleyes:

Generally speaking, anyone who gives two cents about their equipment!

[seh2000]

Hmmm, a compressor wonder how I am to sell that one to the wife :)
Thanks for all your feedbacks/inputs hope this thread can help others too!
Happy New Year!
Steen

[packhntr]

Tell her it's for doing maintanance on your vehicles.....yeah....that'd work..... ;)

[seh2000]

Happy New Year!
The compressor "sale" did not work 100% with wife...;)
I'll have to try another approach e.g. let her do the cleaning...

[packhntr]

AH SHOOT! Well, it was woth a try! Her cleaning the truck? Good luck on that! LOL Compressed air (the same used for cleaning your computer) will work for a while.....mostly I just use a soft paint brush though....about 3/4-1inch wide and an old tooth brush. When it gets real bad, I actually disassemble the truck and wash the parts with simple green and water. Works great!

[seh2000]

packhntr - hehe wife is actually an engineer, but in communications. However she used to "play" around with the mechnical parts of her old care so, maybe not a bad idea having her to clean the car/truck :-) :-) :-)

For the wheels you mentioned earlier.

The Wheels that came with the Speed-T are actually the 320 Series Spokez Chrome.
Could I then just "remove" the existing tires (320 Series Road Weapon) to replace them with the 320 Series Smasher XL Tires you recommended?

[packhntr]

HAHAHA!!
You could remove the tires...it may be difficult as they are USUALLY glued on pretty good. You can soak them in acetone, but you will probably remove the chrome plating from the wheels. You could also cut the tires off.....and then pull off hte remainder rubber in the bead. The easiest way is to simply get new wheels.

[seh2000]

AHH OK I got your point - I am still new to this ;)
I'll order together with the tires the extra set of wheels...
Thanks for all the feedbacks...

[Rookie]

you can also bake your tires to remove them from the rig with out hurting the wheel itself. This will stink up the oven and your house, so may wanna talk with the wife before you do it :)

[packhntr]

You would want to be EXTREMELY cautious on doing this....CA glue is very toxic. You can boil them though....just be careful not to get them to hot as it well sag the plastic (just as with baking)

[seh2000]

you can also bake your tires to remove them from the rig with out hurting the wheel itself. This will stink up the oven and your house, so may wanna talk with the wife before you do it :)
Suggested to wife using our oven mentioned we soon needed new, but she just looked at me with strange eyes...
Decided, then to buy a new set (wheels + tires) :)

[seh2000]

You would want to be EXTREMELY cautious on doing this....CA glue is very toxic. You can boil them though....just be careful not to get them to hot as it well sag the plastic (just as with baking)
Oven option out as per other post...
Guess boil would be too ;) ;)

[packhntr]

Boiling is safe (health wise)....just don't get the wheels TO hot....or burn yourself. I have done it several times with great success. Honestly though....save yourself some hastle and just get new wheels....

[seh2000]

:D
I finally got my new tires and wheels in place, also the front bar + light...
See attached - sorry for not taking better pictures...
Steen

[packhntr]

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!! I just broke down and got teh Speed-T wheely bar for my Desert Truck.....I figured that was probably the only way to keep it (semi) under control....sorts....at least it has a CHANCE of staying on all fours! LOL Good job man!

[seh2000]

I actually took a way the wheely bar, but I think your DT got a "larger" engine than mine, also we drive in "beginners" mode.
I also changed the gearing to a combination giving lower "speed" (86:16), but think I need to find a combination giving a lower top speed.
I did not - yet - add the balls for the differential (got the balls, but the task seams a bit "difficult" as I never done something like before).
For the LED lights, I took away the red ones. Used a glue gun to attach wires to the chassis.
I found after first 'dirty" run I will need to move to a "waterproof" solution for ESC, Receiver, Servos, etc. as too much dust gets in everywhere.
The tires gives great traction! But the openings in the profile gets filled with "dust"...Attached picture shows the soil and dust cloud.

[packhntr]

HAHA! that looks fun! for the motor, yeah, I am runing a hotter setup...and higher voltage.....teh 'bar is turning out to be a necessity....I am going to run it stock for a bit....but I think I may purchase a second one or make a new one from scratch...I don't care for teh hard plastic wheels and the springyness of the unit....we'll have to see though.
Adding the balls is actually very easy to do......do it when your ready.
As for waterproofing, well, I am 50/50 on that....seems like you really need "dust proofing" more than anything....for that get some Liquid Electrical Tape. Put it on the seams of the servo and it will seal it up, but if you ever need to get into it, you can peel it off. the receiver, you can place in a balloon. The esc poses another problem....if you place it in a balloon it will over heat...Honestly, I'd just leave it in the open.
Yeah...those tirea are GREAT for traction!