When I first built my clod I traded a set of tired TXT axles for a set of very tired Clod axles. I used the axles to build an NNCrawer from TheCrawlerStore
Many people have the NN and know that the position of the servo on the axle creates a kind of rocking motion on the axle brace when steering. This swaying/rocking motion didn't do any favors for my already very tired Clod axles. Cracks started to develop where the top screw of the axle brace attaches to main gear case. Several attempts at glueing, tie wraps, and other tricks could not keep the mount tight enough thereby compromising my servo mounting. You can see the cracks I am referring to in the picture below.
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Needless to say it was time for a complete rebuild including gear cases, new gears, lockers, and CVDs. Just one problem... I couldn't find any of the clod gear cases in stock, all the normal depots and internet locations were out of stock. This is one time for the LHS to shine for us crawler guys. RC Hobbies in Thorton, Colorado has started stocking crawler parts. One quick call to Mike and my gear cases were on the way. Next was a message to Kevin at TheCrawlerstore.
I explained the swaying/rocking motion of the servos with NN setup, right away Kevin knew exactly what I was talking about and recommended I use the shock mounts from the Stick chassis to brace the servo mount on the NN. Needless to say a few days later I received a set of the braces in the mail. I did bend the brace just slightly so the bottom touched the axle tube. This made all difference; any motion that was there is now gone. You can see the brace on the picture below.
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| Now it was time for gears and a locker. The TracGear from RC4wd has been in production for a while and is nothing new, however, what is new is RC4wd's light weight alloy gears for the clod. As you can see in the pics. RC4WD has machined the center of the gears to remove material and save on weight. |
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Dispite concerns of quality control at RC4WD , these gears are very nicely machined and appear to have no quality issues. The gear mesh is very nice. I assembled my Thundertech CVDs that I also purchased from theCrawlerstore and set about to assemble the axles. Using plenty of moly-grease I assembled the new axles and added my new 65T Integy Lathes. |
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I must say these new gears and tracgear are working very well together. The axle actually feels a wee bit lighter than it did with the plastic gears and my JB Welded diff. Overall I am very pleased with all the parts used and am very pleased with the quality of service from the Vendor's involved.
Please support your RC Crawling vendors
Gears and TracGear - www.RC4wd.com
CVDs and shock brace - www.thecrawlerstore.com
23mm clod adapaters - www.bendercustoms.com
Lathes and Clod gear cases - RC Hobbies (303) 450-2999
Cheapjeep2 |
