Kit Build - Steering linkage / beadlock question

[calibre]

Hi All,

First post! Been in here reading and slowly building up a kit since the summer. Project has stalled, but I'm looking to get going again. I think I'm on the right track due to this forum (87/14 gears, MMP, 35T TorqueMaster Expert 540, CC BEC), so thank you.

I bought the Vanquish 3/16 Titanium steering link and tie rod, and I'm using the Axial (AX08061) beadlocks with Vanquish weights. I've noticed that the rim does not fully mount to the truck, as the plastic ends of the tie-rod get jammed in the rim.

Two questions related to this setup:
1) How do I solve the fact that the plastic ends of the tie-rod don't fit into the rim?
2) The tie-rod hits the diff cover, and I don't seem to be able to "adjust that out". Is this just a poorly designed tie-rod, and I should have went with one that has different bends in it?

Thanks!

[evan03]

install the stock steering. its pretty damn tuff . ive been bashing the kit compnenets for awhile with no damage and ive been jumping and beating on it.

only thing ive done is strip the idler gear and have robinson metal gear on the way, though im runnig alittle more power then these were designed for.

ive researched steering upgrade and cant tell waht to buy. ive also crawled around on the rocks trail riding with no steering damage.

ill upgrade steering when it brakes. i dont plan to upgrade anything intill it brakes . im guessing im 2-3 hours actual runtime on my kit wraith only broken part the idler in the tranny

from reviews i have mixed feelings on vanguish steering seems alot talk it up because vanguish is the shit to have however its name might be more then its actual performance

[ROLANDROCKSHOP]

you may have to change your beadlocks.

different steering links/arm and some beadlock offsets dont work together.

from the sounds of it your offset on the beadlocks is to narrow.

which is why its rubbing the rodends.

a pic of your setup would help as well.

are your tierod/steering link on top of the knuckle steering arm?
if so try running 1 under and 1 on top knuckle steering arm.

the tie rod rubbing the diff cover is normal..mine does at full lock to lock.


my vp steering setup...the rodends are barely clearing the edge of the wheel.





p.s. dont take advice from newbies..

[dunerinaz]

To keep the tie rod from hitting the diff, I just ever so slightly bent the tie rod a little more and now at full lock I have about a mm between the diff and tie rod. I wasn't getting full steering until I did this.

[meatmonkey]

If the interferance is only minor you might be able to use a wider hex adapter to provide adequate clearance.

Otherwise sounds like you need new wheels.

The fins on the stock cover can be trimmed to help clear the tie rod. Otherwise, stick the tie rod in the vice and give it a little tweak in the appropriate direction to clear the cover.

[evan03]

seemsthe bends are to clear the diff. doesnt seem right for buyers to pay premium and have to modify links to clear

[dunerinaz]

Originally Posted by evan03

seemsthe bends are to clear the diff. doesnt seem right for buyers to pay premium and have to modify links to clear

Agreed!

And cutting the fins on the stock diff cover helped, but did not eliminate the problem.

[calibre]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm definitely not going to install the flimsy stock stuff, and yes, it's unfortunate that I pay good money for these and have to modify/bend them to not hit the pumpkin.

See attached photo:



You can see the steering link plastic ends are just touching the rims. What are my options? Spacers of some sort (which ones)?

[evan03]

Its close so close that might be worth letting them self clearance.

Awesome photos by the way.

[calibre]

They actually bind even more when turning...meaning, they are definitely pinched in there - more than I am comfortable with.

Are spacers that push the wheels a bit wider the solution? If so, recommendations? The "offset" and all is not yet clear to me...

[evan03]

what iif you put a washer inside the wheel hex. thatl give you idea of wether or not spaceing them out is going to work or not.

heck maybe even alittle ca glue and leave the washer in the wheel if it works

i dont like running wider but i see guys running all kinds of width adapters and stuff here.

the wider it is the more stress there is on everything

[rm25x]

I am running Axial Plastic beadlocks and the rod ends that came with the Wraith (the long straight ones) and it doesn't rub. Maybe try changing the ends?

[evan03]

does the vanquish stuff use traxxas ends, if so they may be bigger causeing the clearance issues

[rm25x]

Originally Posted by evan03

does the vanquish stuff use traxxas ends, if so they may be bigger causeing the clearance issues

Looks like it from his pic.

[treys1]

There is actually a lot of plastic around the rim of those wheels. I had a set at one point and clearanced the wheel itself with a sanding drum on a Dremel. I just knocked the very edge down all the way around the wheel and it was fine.

[ZippoMan]

Yeah guys do the wheel sanding. I have wider custom hexes with the XR10 bead locks, they still rub a tiny bit but I will let them self clearance with rubbing. I know it is probably not recommended but with the revo rod ends I sanded mine down slightly to help clear. No big deal I have lots of rod ends if they fail. That is me though