Motor mount plate, gear upgrade and bearings?

[ik632]

Hey guys, I've been reading and asking a lot on here about the XR before I build mine. I'm just about ready to tear into the box and wanted to check on a few things I needed to order before starting.

I know the motor mount/bearings and the gears can be problematic so I wanted to "fix" those before even putting in the original parts.

I'm looking at the AX30787 XR10 Heavy Duty Gear Plate (Hard Anodized) which is an OEM part directly from Axial that looks to upgrade the stock bearings to 9mm ones and also is a bit thicker.

Next I was considering the RC4WD gear set to replace the stock set as that seems to be the most popular. They do offer a gear bearing upgrade set that also includes the motor mount plate, am I better off doing that than just the plate from Axial?

Lastly, I was checking on bearing sets. If I do the motor mount plate upgrade do I still need to upgrade the entire bearing set? Avid appears to be the most popular for that. I don't want to buy the pre-packaged kit though because 3 of the bearings for each motor mount plate won't be applicable after that.

My goal is to have a rig which won't eat itself up but it probably won't be competing. Mostly driving with my son (he has an AX10) so I really just want it to be as trouble free as possible.

Do I need to do the bearing size change or can I get away with the better gears and higher quality stock sized bearings?

Other note, I'm going to go with 27T motors and run 2S LiPo.

[Katan]

The RC4WD kit increases the bearing sizes on both sides of the gearbox:
Transmission Bearing Conversion Kit for Axial XR10

[Charlie-III]

Originally Posted by ik632

Other note, I'm going to go with 27T motors and run 2S LiPo.

Using 27T motors on 2S is likely NOT the best route. The 27T's are pretty fast motors with limited torque.

Most will likely suggest 35T's on 3S.

[ik632]

I've got two Castle Sidewinder SCT ESC's and I wasn't sure if they could handle 3S LiPo with 35t motors. I've seen a few build threads where folks say they are running lower turn motors like the 27t.

Edit: just checked Castle's site and it says the ESC can do 3S with motors with lower than 3800kv (now that's on brushless but brushed should be ok).

[ik632]

Originally Posted by Katan

The RC4WD kit increases the bearing sizes on both sides of the gearbox:
Transmission Bearing Conversion Kit for Axial XR10

Yeah, I really like the looks of that kit. Do I need to get the upgraded motor plate too, or is the one that's included in that kit beefier than stock?

Looks like you guys are out of gears currently, any word on when they would be back in stock?

[dude26]

RC4WD include motor plate w/ upgraded bearing

[Krawler23]

I was also looking at some stuff similar to this. A lot of people said that i should buy some better cases. Is that really necessary or not? I think the rc4wd kit previously mentioned comes with a delrin one, but that isnt metal, so is the vp cases still recommended even if i got the rc4wd kit?

[Sheepdawg23wm]

Originally Posted by Krawler23

I was also looking at some stuff similar to this. A lot of people said that i should buy some better cases. Is that really necessary or not? I think the rc4wd kit previously mentioned comes with a delrin one, but that isnt metal, so is the vp cases still recommended even if i got the rc4wd kit?

Cheapest and easiest way to greatly improve your axles is to buy two vanquish motor plates, cheaper than axial's, and those will come with nice 9mm bearings for the plate. Then buy a $5 package of traxxas 5x8 bushings to repalce all the stock 5x8 bearings with. I did this to my front axle 6 months ago and its holding up great and i comp every other week. Now I have to do it to the rear, i broke sunday and waited for rear to go before i tore it apart. I believe bushing part number is tra5775, come with 12 bushings, enough to do both axles.

[benoj]

there is nothing bad about going with rc4wd plates and cases they just arent quite as popular as vp, sure they arent metal but i havent heard of anyone breaking one or saying there was any problem with them, go with vp if you want strength AND bling

[Katan]

IMO Delrin is the best material for MOA gear cases as it is stiff, light and slides over rocks better than anything else. That is why we (RC4WD) used Delrin for the case.