U-joint won't bend; brand new part!

[ebeowulf17]

I've been playing with RCs for about two years now, but strictly RTRs, and I haven't needed to do many repairs yet, so still very much a newb on service and maintenance issues.

I'm starting a new project and bought Redcat Gen8 Transfer Case Drive Shaft Set, as seen here:
https://www.amainhobbies.com/redcat-gen8-transfer-case-drive-shaft-set-rer11336/p884081

Brand new, right out of the bag, one of the four pivots doesn't want to bend. I can make it move by hand, but only with extreme force. It would never run in a rig like this. I'm assuming it's bad and I should return it, but wanted to make sure I'm not being dumb.

It it were all metal, I'd try oiling it to see if that might help, but it's part plastic, and I'm wary of damaging the plastic with oils.

Any advice? Is this normal? Are there simple things I should try that might loosen it up? Or should I just return it? Thanks!

 

[Ragenwraith]

You are right. They should move freely in all directions with no binding. Send them back.

 

[Undead Jeeper]

If it was all metal, I would "work it" until it loosened up and use a fine penetrating oil to work it.

There are plastic-safe lubricants out there, I have a 7 pack assortment called Hob-E-Lube but there are others.

There's no guarantee that the replacement set you buy will be better, but tight(er) is better than too loose.
I'd probably return it, it seems abnormal and a manufacturing defect.

 

[ebeowulf17]

You are right. They should move freely in all directions with no binding. Send them back.

If it was all metal, I would "work it" until it loosened up and use a fine penetrating oil to work it.

There are plastic-safe lubricants out there, I have a 7 pack assortment called Hob-E-Lube but there are others.

There's no guarantee that the replacement set you buy will be better, but tight(er) is better than too loose.
I'd probably return it, it seems abnormal and a manufacturing defect.

Cool, many thanks to both of you! I'm gonna return it. I got a few other driveshafts to experiment with (Axial and Hot Racing) at the same time as this one, and the rest all seem perfect, so don't really need this anyway at this point.