BWD mantis chassis mod
 

Anyone ever tried to install swivel balls on the rear of their mantis chassis where the chassis bolts to the upper link mount. I think it could make the rear flex easier and smoother.

Re: BWD mantis chassis mod
 

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...psr7jwgug9.jpg


Right here

Re: BWD mantis chassis mod
 

:shock: more more more details:shock:

Re: BWD mantis chassis mod
 

I thought the point to the Mantis was a stiff rear torsion axle.

Re: BWD mantis chassis mod
 

i think it would still generally work the same, as I would simply be installing balls in the holes the bolt goes through which should remove slop and allow smooth movement.

Re: BWD mantis chassis mod
 

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...pshrr0tc94.jpg

I would do it similar to how I installed the ball in this shock cap

Re: BWD mantis chassis mod
 

I'll be watching to see how this turns out...ideally the chassis is "clamped" to the rear axle so the chassis can flex. That said, I'm really curious and happy to see you trying this "thumbsup"

Crazy enough, the Mantis is by far my most sold chassis kit even now. In fact, I have a few going out tomorrow, including one to Germany.

Don

Re: BWD mantis chassis mod
 

What ball end are you using in the bigbores..... How did you do that sir?

Re: BWD mantis chassis mod
 

Those ball ends are hot racing aluminum ones I was using the steel traxxas ones too. I used a rotory tool to grind the opening larger, not too large that it would be sloppy then I used the small die grinding bit that is a sphere shape to made the inside opening larger so the ball would snap in just like the rod ends do.

Re: BWD mantis chassis mod
 

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...psrol9ajd9.jpg

So I went for it, I figure it won't be to hard to go back if I don't like it. I don't think I'll get to do a full test until things thaw out here but it does flex different on the table.

Re: BWD mantis chassis mod
 

Be super careful bendi g the upper link mount like that you can put extra stress on the bearing/shaft in there and cause some skipping grindage and missing teeth.

I've wondered about doing this since I built mine up. How'd did it go?

Re: BWD mantis chassis mod
 

Hey was just setting a chassis I just bought and was noticing the same thing on the rear upper links and was thinking maybe i was missing some pieces or that something like this should be done. I tried tightening everything down snug but it was really bending the link mounts in so i figured that wasnt the best either. I just threw out some ideas and questions to BWD so we will see what he has to say. Was thinking to add a insert int the mount holes so the threads of the bolt dont tear up the frame and add some washers to eat up some of the extra space to help keep the link mounts from bending when everything is good and tight. Have you been able to test on the swivel ball end installation yet? And how did it go?

Re: BWD mantis chassis mod
 

Why not just cut the ends of the plates and place some rodends?

Re: BWD mantis chassis mod
 

Use some washers and spacers to help..... you want it snug for sure. But try not to bent the link mounts.

Re: BWD mantis chassis mod
 

Essentially you just eliminated a lot of the torsion on the rear of the chassis. Theoretically the way the chassis mounts in a fixed position is what allows it to have torsion between the 2 links. Now that it can pivot I would assume it has lost a lot of it's torsion? There is some torsion still provided between the 2 upper chassis mounts binding against each other.

Re: BWD mantis chassis mod
 

Adding some of the cross bracing back into the chassis might give a happy medium of torsion with smoother pivot.

Re: BWD mantis chassis mod
 

Subscribing to this as I'm getting ready to order a chassis soon. Visually in drawn to the Mantis!