Vaterra Ascender nagging issues

[BrotherAndySLB]

I did disconnect one driveshaft from the trans and pushed it forward and back, clicking can be heard within the transmission.

Just a bit wary of disassembling the innards, any clue on how I can get to that input shaft bearing? Should it just be lubed up or a replacement is necessary?

Its not that hard of a job. Download this manual Ascender Kit Manual Then go to page 18 and start going backwards to page 1. When you are done servicing the transmission start at page 1 and go forward to page 18.

Basically what you want to do is remove the two drive shafts (4 grub screws) remove the 4 screws holding the trans on, disconnect the motor, take the single screw out that holds the motor cover on, you may have to remove the pinion from the motor, take the two screws that hold the motor on out to remove the motor. Then remove the single nut holding the slipper clutch on (hold the spur gear to remove the nut) Then remove the 4 long screws that hold the transmission together two of them are 1.5 mm two of them are 2.0 mm. My rear input shaft bearing (the one that is on the back of the shaft that the slipper clutch goes onto) was bad as well as others that I have read about. It was hard to diagnose for me because when the transmission was open everything moved great. I would go ahead and take it out first and see if you can find anything wrong with it.

If you already hear a loud clicking sound I'd say replace that bearing. The manual will tell you the exact sizes of all of the bearings.

 

[goldcrow]

Finally had the time to do the tear-down. All gears look good, teeth are intact, no chipping or wear on any of the gears. Checked all 6 bearings and all seem to turn smoothly and with no resistance at all. I did notice one bearing on the 2nd/middle gear to wiggle more on the the inner race compared to its counterpart but there are no clicking sounds whatsoever.

 

[Natedog]

The bearings are all on the inside so you need to take the transmission apart. Take the whole transmission out of the frame, take the 4 bolts that hold the two case halves together, and take the case apart. You'll have to take the slipper clutch and spur gear off the input shaft so you can slide the Input shaft out of the case exposing the Input bearing. There are 6 bearings in the single speed transmission, two per shaft. Check them all, they should spin smoothly, if you feel any resistance or roughness, that's your problem. Make sure that the inner race is being held while turning, or you'll get a false feeling that the bearing is good. I take a tapered punch or sometimes a flat head screw driver, fit it tight on the inner race then soon outer race and that way you are working the bearing and checking it properly. Good luck!
Ben

Its not that hard of a job. Download this manual Ascender Kit Manual Then go to page 18 and start going backwards to page 1. When you are done servicing the transmission start at page 1 and go forward to page 18.

Basically what you want to do is remove the two drive shafts (4 grub screws) remove the 4 screws holding the trans on, disconnect the motor, take the single screw out that holds the motor cover on, you may have to remove the pinion from the motor, take the two screws that hold the motor on out to remove the motor. Then remove the single nut holding the slipper clutch on (hold the spur gear to remove the nut) Then remove the 4 long screws that hold the transmission together two of them are 1.5 mm two of them are 2.0 mm. My rear input shaft bearing (the one that is on the back of the shaft that the slipper clutch goes onto) was bad as well as others that I have read about. It was hard to diagnose for me because when the transmission was open everything moved great. I would go ahead and take it out first and see if you can find anything wrong with it.

If you already hear a loud clicking sound I'd say replace that bearing. The manual will tell you the exact sizes of all of the bearings.

"thumbsup"

Finally had the time to do the tear-down. All gears look good, teeth are intact, no chipping or wear on any of the gears. Checked all 6 bearings and all seem to turn smoothly and with no resistance at all. I did notice one bearing on the 2nd/middle gear to wiggle more on the the inner race compared to its counterpart but there are no clicking sounds whatsoever.

Bearings with inner and outer rubber seals are only $1 each from AvidRC, I stock up on every size my RC's use to save on shipping and for late night repairs. Just replace the six bearings if you're not sure, clean and lube the tranny gears and reassemble and test. It's possible there is a bit of dirt or something in the gears, if you don't have the bearings, just clean all the grease off the gears, re-lube, reassemble and test. "thumbsup"