Steering return to center slowly (barely)

[zgpablo]

I have a Rockslide RS10 XT that we have been hobbying around with for a while. I can't pinpoint when it happened because my son uses it most, but when we steer the wheels do not center when you let go of (or center manually) the wheel on the controler.

I read a bit around here and replaced my servo thinking that was at fault but no dice. I bought a couple of "Hitec 32645S HS-645MG High Torque 2BB Metal Gear Servo"'s I picked up on Amazon and installed one, but it does EXACTLY the same. I even disconnected the steering so I could test it without any force on the servo and when I steer I see the spline turn left and right but then just (barely) creep back to center.

Before I replace every part on this thing I was hoping somebody here could help me troubleshoot. Could it be the controler? It's the standard Lansu 3-channel thing that came originally.

Thank you to anybody who could help a guy out. I am hoping my 7-year old will take to this and he is starting to show interest but right now it is a mere fraction of the fun he could be having if it were controllable.

 

[cabron]

when you turn the steering knob on the transmitter do the wheels turn?
is your problem that the steering does not center itself when you release the
steering wheel?
perhaps the steering wheel on the transmitter is not turning freely?

another test is trying a different tx/rx

let us know what you find

 

[zgpablo]

Hi cabron,
The wheels do turn from side to side quite responsively but they do not return to center, they stick to the last side it turned to and sloooooooooooowly creep back to center.

The wheel on the transmitter returns to center just fine with the same spring it always did. But the servo just creeps back to center. From removing the steering rods from the servo I see that it is not resistance, it seems to return to center slowly on purpose like something is controlling it that way.

I don't have another transmitter and I thought it might be the issue but was hoping to make sure with some ninja troubleshooting steps.

 

[crawlhog]

check the foam on the wheel on the TX. on the crappy Lansau TX the foam will slide and bind the steering wheel and some times keep it from returning to center when you let off. had the same issue on mine until I noticed the sliding foam.

 

[zgpablo]

Hey crawlhog, just checked and the foam is not slipping. Something else I notice though is that there is no fine movement from turning the wheel though. It's all or nothing. Turn it a little and get nothing, turn it to the max and get a full turn. Release it and it creeps back to center but turn it the other way to max and get a full turn the other way.

More and more it looks like the transmitter.

Okay, did another test, turn it fully one way and then turn the transmitter off before releasing and it centers super fast. It must be the transmitter agreed?

Anybody recommend a good replacement?

 

[crawlhog]

I use a flysky fsgt3b TX, 3 channel w/RX about 40 bucks. mine is about 4yrs old and have yet to have an issue. also upgradeable from a guy on here called losikid.

I also had several problems with the Lansau, cant say I miss it at all

 

[cabron]

you can find lansu transmitters on ebay with no trouble.

yes I was kidding.
look for a 4 channel tx/rx you need at least 3 channels for 4ws
some fun things you can do using 2 escs and 2 servos.
also consider a stick radio. some nice used dx6 and dx7 spektrums. if you ever thought about
snow plows or pan and tilt camera you would appreciate the extra channels

 

[QuesoDelDiablo]

How does it behave with the servo out of the truck?