High Speed Wraith - Breakage Questions

[sniper101]

Just wondering what becomes the weak link once a person throws more power and speed to a mildly built Wraith? What is pushing the top speed of bearings, axles/gears, trans housing, chassis, etc.?

Just swapped out my 2S for a 3S and the thing hauls the mail pretty good for what it is (trail rig/light basher), but it has me worried about longevity at this power level.

My mods:
MMP ESC, Tekin 13.5 Redline/Brushless, 3S (5000mAh), 7955 servo, BEC, V.P. knuckles, c-hubs, lockouts, and tie-rod, Axial universal front axle shafts, MIP driveshafts, Robinson racing trans gears, DYI links and drag link.

Currently running 80/18 gearing if I remember correctly.

I realize this is more-less asking what do you think is going to break next, but I'm sure others have been down this road to give me a heads up on what starts to fail . . .

[BikingViking]

32p Spur/pinion, better slipper clutch and HD axle gears and you should be pretty durable on that set up, some of it is probably even overkill for the 13.5 but I'm running those on top of a near identical set up as you listed and its been holding up well to everything my 13.5 and some hard hammer down driving has put it through

[evan03]

drivelines and tranny gears are what ive been breaking. im running alittle power with 4-6s lipos.

[Rjohn929]

Titanium links (I bent everything else I tried), HD gears and lockers, Super Shafty top shaft with RRP Slash slipper and you should be good to go. I run basically the same setup except more motor and I have not broke anything I can't run without including the stock universals and straight shafts (I'm sure they will be next but the are still kicking). The sway bars are a different story. Volt up and hammer down!

[binaryterror]

I have a 3S powered Wraith, using a MMP and a Reedy Sonic 5.5 3900kv (Compares very well to the Pro4 4000 Tekins, got this because it was used and super cheap. It is VERY long compared to the Redline and Pro4's though, but does fit).

Full VP axles f/r (stock Unis and straight axles though) with HD Gears. SuperShafty BombProof trans.

I have broke, plenty of pinion bearings, luckily the HD gears don't seem to crap out when the inner bearings explode inside.

I also snapped the threads right off a 3/16" VP lower link. Yeah that was exciting

[evan03]

ive gone through a few pinion bearings to. rear pinion and ring gear also showing some wear but still going.

[TheScaleAddict]

Originally Posted by evan03

ive gone through a few pinion bearings to. rear pinion and ring gear also showing some wear but still going.

Same here. Get high end bearings in the pinion. Check them often. If you hear the gears skip. Check the bearings right away. If you decide to keep on truckin', you can kiss your R&P's good bye.

[crawler nut]

X2, get Wraith bearing kit from Fast Eddie

[Harley]

High end bearings won't solve the problem for good. I have blown plenty of Eddies bearings in that location. The best option is to take the bearings out of the pinion side and replace them with high quality bronze bushings. They will wear out over time (it will take awhile) but they will never fail like a bearing. The bearing size is the issue, they can only support so much load.

[crawler nut]

I never thought of that. Where can we buy the bronze bushings? Now I want some.

[evan03]

What about abec7 bearings or ceramics?

[binaryterror]

Originally Posted by Harley

High end bearings won't solve the problem for good. I have blown plenty of Eddies bearings in that location. The best option is to take the bearings out of the pinion side and replace them with high quality bronze bushings. They will wear out over time (it will take awhile) but they will never fail like a bearing. The bearing size is the issue, they can only support so much load.

Harley, any links to high quality bronze pieces?

I couldn't agree more, I wish VP would have changed the inner bearing to 5x15x5, would be the best way to end it. Instead they made carbon copy Axial units.

Originally Posted by evan03

What about abec7 bearings or ceramics?

Ceramics are only good for high speeds, not axial and load forces.

[Dostradamas]

Originally Posted by Harley

High end bearings won't solve the problem for good. I have blown plenty of Eddies bearings in that location. The best option is to take the bearings out of the pinion side and replace them with high quality bronze bushings. They will wear out over time (it will take awhile) but they will never fail like a bearing. The bearing size is the issue, they can only support so much load.

I read somewhere in one of your posts a recommended source for those bushings, I cannot find it again & have had no luck online looking so far (5x11x4 right?)
Help us find our bushings please.

[diesel kawboy]

I snapped a locker with my vxl setup. I had another stock locker on hand so I jb welded it in to the stock carrier and no more problems.

[Harley]

Originally Posted by diesel kawboy

I snapped a locker with my vxl setup. I had another stock locker on hand so I jb welded it in to the stock carrier and no more problems.

One piece lockers are the only way to go. Those plastic cups are shit with overkill power. Even if you can keep the locker alive they end up losing all the threads and becoming worthless.

[Dostradamas]

Originally Posted by Dostradamas

I read somewhere in one of your posts a recommended source for those bushings, I cannot find it again & have had no luck online looking so far (5x11x4 right?)
Help us find our bushings please.

Originally Posted by crawler nut

Where can we buy the bronze bushings? Now I want some.

Originally Posted by binaryterror

Harley, any links to high quality bronze pieces?

Pretty please?

[Harley]

I remembered I bought them way back in 2007-8 timeframe when I was looking to bulletproof a super. The supers were crushing bearings and this was the best fix.

I don't recall where I got them, I just had a dozen or so around and happened upon them when I was looking around.

[Dostradamas]

Thanks

[4wd4ws]

Tamiya.
TLT-1.
part BL-1.
#9805622.

[Dostradamas]

Nice I also just ran across a Traxxas part as well:

Traxxas Bushing Set 11x5x4 TRA1243 | eBay

As well as

Traxxas 1675 Oilite Bushing Set 14 1 10 Nitro Sport | eBay