Regarding the stock tire foams, as mentioned in my previous post, the dual-stage foams arrived yesterday. I've only put together one wheel/tire, but I had no problems...none. The only 'problem' (albeit, an incredibly minor one, and common to ALL beadlock wheels) was properly aligning the tire, outer foam, inner foam, inner ring, etc, to "perfect alignment".
With these Vitavon wheels ..again, TRUE beadlock wheels...I did have to do something I've never had to do before - use longer screws to get things started. Not only did I have to use longer screws, but I had to use two different lengths of longer screws. First, I started with 3 evenly-spaced 16mm screws, tightening them until they couldn't be tightened any further (the design of the wheel limits the meconium depth screws can be screwed in). Next, I used 3 evenly-spaced 12mm screws (spaced evenly between the 16mm screws), tightening them most of the way. This left an estimated 6mm between the beadlock ring & wheel. Finally, I added 6 of the intended 8mm screws, one of each side of the 16mm screws, and then removed the 16mm screws. Once all other holes were filled with screws (ok, get your minds out of the gutter...lol), then I removed th 12mm screws, replacing them with the 8mm screws, and then proceeded to tighten all screws in the usual rotate-screw-rotate-screw process. Alright...now my mind is in the gutter. Anyway, the first wheel/tire is done. The other three will have to wait until tomorrow...time to get ready for work. But, here's what they'll all look like.
Maybe -in due time-I’ll try a different brand, maybe a Savöx micro servo. The Spektrum 107 is only useful as a steering servo for the yeti jr, or a mini-t imho.
I'll admit that the design of the whole shifting mechanism isn't "optimal"...but, or does work, and it works quite well. The problem isn't really with the shifting mechanism...the SX107 servo is the REAL PROBLEM. So far, in testing, the PowerHobby 59MG is proving flawless. I haven't yet connected it to Ch3...but, I have had it connected to Ch1, and, using the steering (very carefully, for what should be obvious reasons), the shifting has worked 100% of the time, properly seating the internal 'plate' into low & high every time. Once the PH59MG is plugged into Ch3 on the Rx, it'll just be a matter of setting the endpoints.
Once upon a time this is how all RC crawler beadlock wheels were made. Axial 8 hole wheels and all of locked up RC wheels are still made this way. I'm sure there are others.
The whole inner ring bead locks came around because people got tired of screwing in 13242134234 screws to assemble their bead locks. Personally, I prefer the old style with a true inner and outer ring. It is much easier to get both beads seated correctly and that style usually doesn't have any issues with proline tires and their weird beads.
Thankfully, there area still a few businesses making the "old style" with true inner & outer beadlock rings...but, the ones I'm using did my Ryft are (at least to me) 'good enough'.
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