front shafts = pretzels

[redneckracerx]

I'm having a hard time keeping front shafts in my pajero. The stock ones are a joke. I've also tried the gpm units which tend to bend. Then I thought I had found the answer to my problems with the tamiya hop-up shafts.
https://www.tamiyausa.com/items/radio-control-parts-70/hop-up-parts-72000/rc-assembly-universal-shaft-54608
They definitely lasted the longest with proper maintenance but when they break, THEY'RE BROKE! I mean it even sounds realistic. Like someone is shooting a cap gun! Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[meatmonkey]

I'm pretty sure those ARE the good ones.

How many hours of use did you get out of them?

Do you have modifications to increase suspension travel, or larger tires installed?

And we all like pictures of broken parts that aren't ours, so shall you oblige?

 

[redneckracerx]

And for reference, my pajero.

I've had the shafts in for about 6 months. I wheel it pretty hard almost weekly. My setup has been a 85t integy, ae2, gpm spur, locked front and rear and 1.55 rc4wd mtz's. (which are smaller than stock) They held up great compared to stock and the gpm units. Then I changed to a 35t integy and 4:1 GRU first 10 minutes out on the trail and snapped both cross pins. replaced them with drill bit shaft and then blew the buckets apart. Maybe they were ready to go?

 

[meatmonkey]

Good job on the breakage, especially the top one.

Your truck doesn't seem all that extreme as far as tire size and power go. Maybe you just pre-stressed them enough that you added more torque and they finally let go.

Did you ever disassemble and clean them? (don't be ashamed, I typically don't) Lube with oil while assembled at all? Did they see wet usage at all?

If you got six months out of a set with regular use, I'd say your doing pretty decent actually.

 

[redneckracerx]

I usually pull them apart after any mud/water which isn't that often. After normal trails I hit the truck with compressed air. So I guess I just found the lifespan of the axles. I'll order up a few extras and keep em in the toolbox. I've also been thinking about stepping up to the mud thrashers. Do you think this will make it worse? They're only 1/4" taller. Also, my truck weights 8 pounds. Is that excessive? It seems to work quite well.

 

[canadianbacon]

I usually pull them apart after any mud/water which isn't that often. After normal trails I hit the truck with compressed air. So I guess I just found the lifespan of the axles. I'll order up a few extras and keep em in the toolbox. I've also been thinking about stepping up to the mud thrashers. Do you think this will make it worse? They're only 1/4" taller. Also, my truck weights 8 pounds. Is that excessive? It seems to work quite well.

I run Mud Thrashers and the Tamiya CVD's and have no problem with them, they're holding up fine. My setup is an AE-2, Axial 55t, and about 2oz's per wheel. Current weight is about the same as yours, probably a little less, but I also don't run it hard.

 

[redneckracerx]

I may have left out the fact that I'm running it on 3s

 

[canadianbacon]

That wouldn't help either lol, I'm only on 2s.

 

[Natedog]

All good advice so far and nice breakage pics. I'll second a drop of oil on each joint occasionally, work it in, then wipe off excess oil and grime.

Nice Pajaro btw.

Sounds like somebody needs to make better cvds for CC01.

 

[redneckracerx]

So this happened! The ones on top are the original hop-ups I broke. While I was waiting for my new hop-ups to get here I put the stockers back in. They lasted about an hour. Also, I apparently have not run the GPM's they were the integy shafts. I just saw the GPM's and think I will order a set of those too. BTW, my new hop ups are here finally 8)