EPA's VF dig??

[robert97dodge]

Ok I got my VF dig in today. It was really easy and not a whole lot to it. I havent modded the MX-3 remote yet with a 3way switch so for now I just have 2 positions 4wd and dig with the rear locked. When I set my EPAs with it in 4wd I am setting it to where the servo is not making any noise at all. Then I flip the switch and set those EPAs the same way. I get it to where the servo is not binding at all but when I start to climb anything steep the it goes into dig mode with the rear wheel unlocked. So to get it stay in 4wd I have to adjust the EPAs some more but when the truck is on flat ground the servo is humming just a little bit. Is this ok that it is humming? It isnt real loud but I can for sure hear it making a little bit of noise.

[Testykalz]

Have you tinkered with the linkage too? Maybe lengthen it alittle and try it.

[robert97dodge]

Originally Posted by Testykalz

Have you tinkered with the linkage too? Maybe lengthen it alittle and try it.

Yeah I have tryed all kinds of stuff. I messed with it about 30 minutes. The linkage is just about as short as it can be.

[rc4x4crawler]

I have been having the exact same problem. I'm running a mighty mini and I just ordered a 645 because I think the mighty mini does not have enough power to hold the rig into 4x4.

[whoodie]

If it is popping out of 4wd you do not have the endpoint set far enough forward. The humming you are hearing is caused by some binding of the dig linkage. The parts that exit the dig unit should not be lubed. The polymer bushing is self lubricating, think Delrin. The linkage shaft could probably use a light sanding with 1500 or higher grit.

I had the exact same problems you were having. I cleaned the linkage shaft and output. I also sanded the linkage shaft, polishing it would probably not have been a bad idea either.

To correctly set the endpoints try pushing directly on the linkage shaft to make sure that the internals are properly seated.

Another thing I have noticed is that when there is a high load on the drivetrain, the dig servo will hum a little bit.

I've been running the 225mg servo since I installed my dig and have not had a problem with it. If I were to take a wild guess as to how many hours I have run it I would say over 25.

Let me know if you have any further issues or questions.

[robert97dodge]

When I set my end points I made sure it was the dig was all the in that direction I was setting the EPA for. Also I put grease on the stuff inside of the dig but not on the shafts coming out of the dig. I followed the instructions on everything putting it together. Like I said when the truck is flat I can lock it in 4wd and set the end points to where the servo just stops humming and it is in 4wd. But when I climb my ramp it unlocks the rear unless I put more pressure on the servo.

[whoodie]

Right, mine was doing the exact same thing until I cleaned and sanded the input linkage. 1/16" can make all the difference here.

[robert97dodge]

Originally Posted by whoodie

Right, mine was doing the exact same thing until I cleaned and sanded the input linkage. 1/16" can make all the difference here.

You are talking about the brass rod connected to the piece that bolted inside the trans? I did put grease on that as well.

[robert97dodge]

This is what you are talking about sanding right?



Basically I greased everything but these two output shafts.

[whoodie]

No, but that should be greased.

When I refer to the output linkage, I am referring to the rod where you connect the servo linkage to. It is where the collar attaches too. It is the only thing, other than the driveshaft output, that sticks out of the dig case.

I won't get into the forces and moments that are involved with this piece, but it is very important that is be an absolutely clean and smooth surface for the entire unit to function properly.

[robert97dodge]

Originally Posted by whoodie

No, but that should be greased.

When I refer to the output linkage, I am referring to the rod where you connect the servo linkage to. It is where the collar attaches too. It is the only thing, other than the driveshaft output, that sticks out of the dig case.

I won't get into the forces and moments that are involved with this piece, but it is very important that is be an absolutely clean and smooth surface for the entire unit to function properly.

Oh ok. I got ya. You called it a input linkage in that other post so I thought you meant the input shaft. I will try that and see what happens.

[whoodie]

Don't take too much material off, remember 1500 grit and I would polish it after you sandpaper it.

Also make sure that the bushings are perfectly clean also. I ran a paper towel through them.

After everything is reinstalled there should be zero resistance when moving the dig through its 3 positions.

Don't crank down on the screws too much.

If it still binds, try to identify where it is coming from. I spent a few hours on mine rebuilding it.

[MCSCOTT]

All good advice, and I can also say it takes lots and lots of tinkering, adjusting, checking, taking apart, and putting back together to get the VF working right. I ended up putting a 645 on mine just because I kept burning up the mini servos, but I can say as far as getting it to work properly there wasn't much difference in the two servos, it still took alot of tinkering. I can also say now though that it was worth it, because this thing is butter smooth. I've seen some posts about how you sometimes have to blip the throttle go get a dig to unlock, and things like that, but I definatly don't with mine. When I flip the switch is shifts no matter what I'm climbing or how much throttle I'm giving it.

Just be patient and know that once you get it right you will love it.

[robert97dodge]

I have now spent about 2.5 hour more hours trying to get this thing to work better. I have taken it all back apart twice and sanded the shift rod and everything. I got the dig all working smooth until I bolted it to the tranny. So I loosened up on the bolts some and that helped. So I stuck it back in the car and set the EPA's and still doing the same thing. I will get the dig seated all the way into 4wd set the EPA slide the dig all the way the other direction and then set that EPA. Something does seem to be binding up though because the servo wont go all the way from 4wd to dig with the rear locked on its own. I need to either spin the rear output where the driveshaft hooks up or just give it a little tug and then it goes. I dont know what else could be binding up. The 225 servo got hot while messing with it and shut down so I had to swap it out with another 225 I had.

[Trugg]

Originally Posted by robert97dodge

The 225 servo got hot while messing with it and shut down so I had to swap it out with another 225 I had.

Thats why i dont believe in using a tiny servo for the dig...
I like to use a strong full size servo that doesnt have to strain at all....

[rc4x4crawler]

Originally Posted by robert97dodge

I have now spent about 2.5 hour more hours trying to get this thing to work better. I have taken it all back apart twice and sanded the shift rod and everything. I got the dig all working smooth until I bolted it to the tranny. So I loosened up on the bolts some and that helped. So I stuck it back in the car and set the EPA's and still doing the same thing. I will get the dig seated all the way into 4wd set the EPA slide the dig all the way the other direction and then set that EPA. Something does seem to be binding up though because the servo wont go all the way from 4wd to dig with the rear locked on its own. I need to either spin the rear output where the driveshaft hooks up or just give it a little tug and then it goes. I dont know what else could be binding up. The 225 servo got hot while messing with it and shut down so I had to swap it out with another 225 I had.

I keep having the exact same problems as you. Do you have the black dig?

[whoodie]

Originally Posted by robert97dodge

I have now spent about 2.5 hour more hours trying to get this thing to work better. I have taken it all back apart twice and sanded the shift rod and everything. I got the dig all working smooth until I bolted it to the tranny. So I loosened up on the bolts some and that helped. So I stuck it back in the car and set the EPA's and still doing the same thing. I will get the dig seated all the way into 4wd set the EPA slide the dig all the way the other direction and then set that EPA. Something does seem to be binding up though because the servo wont go all the way from 4wd to dig with the rear locked on its own. I need to either spin the rear output where the driveshaft hooks up or just give it a little tug and then it goes. I dont know what else could be binding up. The 225 servo got hot while messing with it and shut down so I had to swap it out with another 225 I had.

If the output is not lined up correctly with the recesses in the case you will have to rotate the output for it to fully locked. It has 4 engagement points, so the maximum you should have to rotate it is 90 degrees.

It is also possible if the parts popped out too much that there is some loss of material, in this case you will need to replace the worn out parts.

Post up a top and a side view of the linkage setup please.

You know people say that the 225 does not have the strength to operate the dig, I do not believe this statement because I and everyone else in my club use it without any problems.

[Ru4wheeling]

I got my VF Dig in Last night. Having all the some problems and some of the parts was missing!!!!!! Iam not happy with the machine work!!! Spent like 2 day working on it trying to get it to work and it still not right!!!! Found that slide pin not stright fork was bent.. What sh*t !!!!

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Ru4wheeling

I got my VF Dig in Last night. Having all the some problems and some of the parts was missing!!!!!! Iam not happy with the machine work!!! Spent like 2 day working on it trying to get it to work and it still not right!!!! Found that slide pin not stright fork was bent.. What sh*t !!!!

edited for content

[robert97dodge]

Originally Posted by Ru4wheeling

I got my VF Dig in Last night. Having all the some problems and some of the parts was missing!!!!!! Iam not happy with the machine work!!! Spent like 2 day working on it trying to get it to work and it still not right!!!! Found that slide pin not stright fork was bent.. What sh*t !!!!

Are you using the 225 servo? If not then that maybe why the shift fork was bent.