Brushless motor shaft wiggling?

[Topher Builds]

Hello. I recently acquired a slash 4x4 with a sidewinder brushless set up. I can’t get a pinion to stick for longer than a matter of seconds so I’m wondering if the motor shaft is the culprit. Here’s a video of the motor in slow mo. Assuming this isn’t normal, how do I fix it?

https://youtu.be/gL4K7oHxMhQ

[JatoTheRipper]

That motor is junk! Time for a new one.

The vibrations from the shot bearings are definitely enough to rattle a pinion gear loose.

[magic_yeti]

I would check the bearings, looks like broken bearings.
regarding the loose pinion did you loctide the set screw?
hope that helps

[Topher Builds]

Bummer! Guessing it’s not rebuildable? Any idea on reasonable replacements that work with the same esc? Had lock tite on two of the 3 that flew off and it was on the flat part of the shaft. I was about to slap on the 5mm adapter and another pinion to see if that would help but wanted to get some opinions on the motor beforehand

Learned a couple things, bearings were toast. Also, it was a chinese knock off, not even a real castle. Got a 2nd legit castle in now and running again. Thanks for the help!

[meatmonkey]

Funny thing is even the real castle motors are made in China. At least the 3800, 4600, and 5700 I have are. They've all got tons of hours on the original bearings and they are still snug.

Stay away from those goofy 5mm reducer sleeves. They all seem to add run out to the pinion gear when you tighten the grub screw.

[Natedog]

Originally Posted by magic_yeti

I would check the bearings, looks like broken bearings.
regarding the loose pinion did you loctide the set screw?
hope that helps

X2 I've replaced bearings in several brushless motors, easy job.

Originally Posted by Pant Danza

Learned a couple things, bearings were toast. Also, it was a chinese knock off, not even a real castle. Got a 2nd legit castle in now and running again.

Castle told you it was knock off or?

Originally Posted by meatmonkey

Funny thing is even the real castle motors are made in China. At least the 3800, 4600, and 5700 I have are.

Stay away from those goofy 5mm reducer sleeves. They all seem to add run out to the pinion gear when you tighten the grub screw.

Agreed.

And agreed.

[fyrstormer]

Wow. That bearing is completely trashed. I have seriously never seen a motor bearing that badly worn. It looks like the BBs are all gone.

[Topher Builds]

We could tell it was a knock off when we took it apart to rebuild and compared it to another castle 3800. Shorter can and the inside was a bit different. Taking the word of a friend that’s been working on these for years there though, he was helping me check it out. As you all have guessed, the bearings were toast and falling apart when we got it open.

Since replacing the motor I put a mamba x in and it’s running great now. I had to do some cutting on the body to keep it on the ground during speed runs.

Here’s a little video from a quick run last night with a 3s 20c lipo.

https://splice.gopro.com/v?id=7Awr9r