factory 5x10x4 bearing failures?

[terrible]

My newly built GK has been an uphill battle. Between shock tuning, and other handling issues I'm kind of kicking myself for this purchase.


But! I've been an AE guy for years and know they usually do right when it comes to kit parts quality. However, my GK is eating the stock 5x10x4 bearing WAY to often. Between the wheel bearings and the axle pinion bearings I've gone through 4 already. My front axle ate 2 at the inner pinion and I actually had to scrap the hard stock housing because the bearing outer race was melted into it.

My wheel bearings I'm also on #2 as well. I know the pit bull RB is a big tires and a 350 VP hub is long but dang, these things lasted 6 packs.

*disclaimer*

I'm running this truck like a 4wd short course truck. The jumps I've been doing are quite big for something that can be trail driven or even scaled if one was inclined.

[nielsm]

I cracked the front axle housing on my GK a few days ago in freezing weather doing jumps. I’d also broken a rod end on the front links a week before. It’s still based on a crawler, so I don’t think it’s meant for very high speed nor bashing.


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[QuesoDelDiablo]

Originally Posted by terrible

My wheel bearings I'm also on #2 as well. I know the pit bull RB is a big tires and a 350 VP hub is long but dang, these things lasted 6 packs.


I'm running this truck like a 4wd short course truck. The jumps I've been doing are quite big for something that can be trail driven or even scaled if one was inclined.

Without sounding insensitive or rude, you are literally doing the opposite of the rig is intended for and complaining that it can't sustain that level of abuse.

If you wanted an sct you bought the wrong rig.

Again, not trying to sound rude but you're causing the problem and it's hardly fair to try and blame AE. It's like complaining that your Bugatti is terrible at mud-bogging.

[mikemcE]

Agreed.

Excellent crawling trail truck. My wife’s doesn’t need any repairs or parts after a year.


Hang up and Drive

[meatmonkey]

On one hand, your clearly using the truck beyond it's intended use and the small bearings are the weakest link.

On the other hand, why is any company using 5x10 bearings anywhere on anything? The 5x11's hold up much better, and theres gotta be an extra mm of room in the knuckles and axle housing. If it were up to me, 5x13 would be the smallest bearing allowed in a 1/10 truck. 5x11 pinion bearings have been a weak point in the Axial axles since the Wraith came out, so why on earth would any company spec any smaller bearing than that?

I'm sure noone wants to hear it, but if your going to be jumping your scale truck and treating it as a basher, may I suggest using a TRX4? If you've seen Kevin Talbots abusive videos you know the TRX4 platform will take a ridiculous amount of abuse.

[svt923]

Originally Posted by meatmonkey

5x11 pinion bearings have been a weak point in the Axial axles since the Wraith came out, so why on earth would any company spec any smaller bearing than that?

Been saying the same thing since the Element came out, glad I’m not the only one.

[meatmonkey]

I've abused plenty of toy cars in my day, so I have a plenty good idea of what will hold up to my abuse level, and 5x10 pinion bearings don't stand a chance. They might live on 2s, driven in a scale fashion, at speeds not to exceed 6mph. That's not how I treat things though. Knowing how often I'd have to swap them out is about the only thing keeping me from picking up a Gatekeeper kit.

I hope someone from Element sees this and realizes the errors of their ways.

[terrible]

Originally Posted by QuesoDelDiablo

Without sounding insensitive or rude, you are literally doing the opposite of the rig is intended for and complaining that it can't sustain that level of abuse.

If you wanted an sct you bought the wrong rig.

Again, not trying to sound rude but you're causing the problem and it's hardly fair to try and blame AE. It's like complaining that your Bugatti is terrible at mud-bogging.

You don't have to yell at me Ha!

[terrible]

With a 3D printer on the way I'm going to look at printing a hub that can hold a larger bearing.

I tried to make a small vid of what I'm doing with the truck but I figured it isn't worth it.

[meatmonkey]

If your going to post a video of your Gatekeeper flying through the air in it's best short course impersonation, then by all means, please do share.

[Lashlee]

I had a few pinion bearings fail and eventually swapped to a simple bronze bushing. No issues since, but I've also moved the axles to a GSpeed chassis that is much lighter than my old Enduro. I found some that were from Redcat on eBay.

[mk3jetta]

Mine chucked a pinion bearing in the front ifs diff with the bigger overdrive setup in it, but that was after about a year of trailing with it