Hot Racing Links are hot mess!!

[Sethmetal]

So, I'm new to RC and the Wraith is my first.

I bought a link dress up kit from HR (Hot Racing)

Here's my thoughts:

Steering Link: First thing I put on. It actually functions ok. Better than stock. But..... The brass retainers fall out pretty easily. My fix? Spread super glue with a stick to the whole rim, then press back in place. This holds for a few days to a week.

Suspension Links: They look nice and at $63.00, I didn't think I was cheating out.
I tried to install and the geometry was horrible!!! The link ends are at a horrible angle and are aluminum, so they likely can't be bent. In this pic, I'm holding one link straight and you can see where the link wants to go.
Don't even get me started on the uppers.

I tried in threading the ends to get proper angles, but the the links were loose and unstable.

Has anyone had luck with these? Should I try different ends? Revo? Jato?


Diff Covers: these seem to work ok, but they lack the inner lip that the stock plastics have. So I can only assume they don't deal as well to water.

I have ground my pumpkins down on the rocks from weeks of crawling. After putting the new covers on, I was worried about hanging up on the lip. Not a problem, these things are so soft, that within a few hours, they have ground down to match the plastic pumpkin that took weeks.

All in all, I would strongly suggest avoiding this kit. I wish I knew that HR sucked.

[kakachille]

should have got the blue monkey links there around the same price and are way better

[tdevilman2009]

ill agree the hr link kit isnt the best i have the silver set on mine. what i dont like is the alum is soft an the brass retainers fall out on the links havent had that happen to the sterring yet. an the diff covers yea well dont hit anything with them i did an had to use a punch an tap out the dent as it was rubbin. as for the angles not sure why they wont line up for ya mine did but since i have had the brass retainer prob i used traxxas shock ends on the rear links an gonna do the front the same how ever in the end gonna grab some vp links. oh yea on the sterring link i took the drag link off an connected it to the sterring knuckle wich are also hr they seem pretty good so far.the pivot ball should move enough to allow your links to line up but are at an odd angle in the socket an i think thats why they fail so quickly ill snap a pic an post it when i can http://s1037.beta.photobucket.com/us...08863973656924 link to the pics of my wraith

[Sethmetal]

I'll try the traxaas ends. I have these parts now and wouldn't feel right selling them to somebody.

The steering link is tough. I've been running it for two weeks, primarily on rocks and it shows. It is rigid, but those brass inserts pop out every four or five trips.

[tdevilman2009]

yea my steering link has been good since i used red loctite an mooved the drag link from the sterring rod an connected it to the sterring knuckle next on my list gonna do a shock cap mod an use a good rod end on them the rubber bushin thing ripped on me

[bigred22]

I bought the steering links in black and within 5 min of running it the brass ring popped out and broke in half so I could not put back in

[Jus]

Live and learn..

On a Wraith, you need either steel or titanium links and Revo rod ends. Anything less WILL fail you at some point.

[ka1fornia]

HR blows, I had the same problem with my steering. I'd recommend STRC products. Not as expensive as Vanquish and the quality is just as good plus you can get the green colors if you want.

[Kitty]

here is my experience with HR.just bought some wide hubs for wheels,at first look,they where ok,but when i wanted to install them,i couldn't,so i had to work a litle to fit them,but was easy,finally i am happy with product.as far as the link,i always use traxxas rod ends,and axial aluminum pipe of different sizes,and if it's to long i can always cut the aluminum and make inside it a thread to fit the rod ends.also a friend of mine uses the BTA system from HR and it works good,had no issue with it.also using STRC,they have very nice products,never had any problem with them,it's a bolt on,every piece i had and the price is good.Vanquish......hey.....we are talking from another class,altough is a little pricey,but the quality is awesome,u can't go wrong with Vanquish

[Little Fella]

Well I sure wished to hell I'd read this 24h ago before ordering the link set. Guess Ill try to beef up the brass insert BEFORE installing somehow.

[TheAxialNut]

The HR LINK Kit is the sweetest!!!! lol

Those are the shittest links ever, they are the proper ones if you want to put it up on the shelf and not use the toy.....

Everyone has the same problem with those "upgrade kits", took all that chit off and went with Chaotic Crawlers high clearence links, Ti, Revo 4mm rod ends....way better!

[TheAxialNut]

Originally Posted by Little Fella

Well I sure wished to hell I'd read this 24h ago before ordering the link set. Guess Ill try to beef up the brass insert BEFORE installing somehow.

Try to place a cone washer/regular washer into the mix...maybe that will keep the assembly from popping loose, the brass inserts. Once those fall out...bummed.

Good Luck trying to get a hold of HR too, they are a terrible company for service!

HR=Hack Racing

[isyeskeert]

Originally Posted by Little Fella

Well I sure wished to hell I'd read this 24h ago before ordering the link set. Guess Ill try to beef up the brass insert BEFORE installing somehow.

Don't open them when they come in, sell them and buy the good stuff!

[throttlejock27]

For just a little more money you can buy r2j stainless links

[Dualdigger]

You can use Loctite bearing retainer(green) on the brass inserts. If you don't have any green Loctite don't bother, just replace as Loctite is more expensive than new parts.

[Little Fella]

Ok so what about cutting the ends clear off, threading the rod, then putting on revos?

[Little Fella]

Or perhaps soldering the brass in?

[Norcal_GIT_r]

Sorry you had a bad experience with HR. I bought an HR steering set for my wraith and it's crap.
My experiences if you want parts that work properly right from the get-go either get Axial upgrades or Vanquish upgrades.

[Johnnysplits]

Originally Posted by throttlejock27

For just a little more money you can buy r2j stainless links

Agreed! Mine should be here tomorrow. Got the uppers and lowers in 1/4".

[Little Fella]

R2J kit ordered from Shon.

Anyone wanna buy a HR set?