Bad Karma

[gbh52]

I'm begining to think this is payback for getting the deal of the century on my Savage X on ebay. About a month ago I picked it up for <$250.00 delivered never really expecting to win it. Yes it was NIB.

Since breakin it has been broken. Won't go into all the past issue but here is the current one. Fairly modest end over end tumble on grass. Engine cut out so I was carrying back and noticed the engine was at an odd angle. Bottom line is the mount was broken. Ordered a new one (more on that later) and expected it today so I took things apart.

Here is what I found. Two of the hex heads holding the engine to the mount were broken, one sheared off right at the mount the other about 2 threads down. Another one was so loose I backed it out with my fingers. There was only one holding the engine to the mount! When all the screws were out it fell apart into 5 pieces. What a fragile little POS. I cannot imagine how steel screws are broken and bent inside a soft piece of cast aluminum. I this a factory issue?

Also, I bought a Skyline aluminum (machined I hope but the ad did not say) replacement. This is my first RC, am I just expecting to much?

 

[Shanty]

If this is your first RC then yes, you were expecting to much, these car do and will break. Most people upgrade stuff to try and get the weakpoint out of the truck like A-Arms. Just remember, most of the time plastic is your friend in this hobby, never go with aluminum A-Arms cause then will bend were as plastic flexes and goes back to shape. There is some parts of the truck where aluminum is wanted though. As for the motor mount, people do break it, but I would rather the mount break other then the crankcase.

 

[gbh52]

Forgot to Mention

Once I had the engine out I was playing around a bit and was rotating the clutch bell. It had a clear wobble. I took it off and out spilled a bunch of loose ball bearings. The inner bearing was in shambles nothing but pieces and fragments. Are these events related?

Again as a newbie forgive my ignorance. Reading forums such as this I have tried to identify parts which are likely to fail. That being the case I purchaed a Integy aluminum clutch (springs, shoes and flywheel) ebay again, seemed like a great deal, was it?

Thanks

 

[Shanty]

Well I haven't used that particular part from integy. But if its like most of there stuff, then I am sorry to say its not a good deal. Integy is one of those brands that most people try to stay away from. IF you are in the market for shoe, NOVA seems to be the one people are going with, and Mugen springs and what people are pairing with that. As for flywheel, I really don't see a problem with stock.

 

[Jeremy]

loctite is your friend

 

[THE JUDGE]

Your two problems could easily be related! I agree with Jeremy in that your engine mount screws probably backed out, allowing the motor to flop around enough to bend/break the screws and mount. That could have easily overstressed your CB bearings as your gear mesh and drive angle would have been moving around a lot.

You have probably figured this out by now, but it's critical to check your fasteners regularly and make sure every screw that goes into metal (except your head bolts) has blue Loctite applied.

 

[Jeremy]

Well I haven't used that particular part from integy. But if its like most of there stuff, then I am sorry to say its not a good deal. Integy is one of those brands that most people try to stay away from. IF you are in the market for shoe, NOVA seems to be the one people are going with, and Mugen springs and what people are pairing with that. As for flywheel, I really don't see a problem with stock.

I picked up a set of intengy clutch shoes and springs (for 6 bucks) and I like them so far I have them installed on my surefire .32r

 

[HopIt]

Your two problems could easily be related! I agree with Jeremy in that your engine mount screws probably backed out, allowing the motor to flop around enough to bend/break the screws and mount. That could have easily overstressed your CB bearings as your gear mesh and drive angle would have been moving around a lot.

You have probably figured this out by now, but it's critical to check your fasteners regularly and make sure every screw that goes into metal (except your head bolts) has blue Loctite applied.

^^^^^^^^^^ +1 on that one !