Lack of power and wheel spin

[Rockeeyordy]

I have an axial wraith and I just got new 20t motor and a 16/87 pinion and spur gears and when I push up against obstacles or the tires get in cracks/ bound the tires don’t spin and the motor just winds up and it has little power and idk what is wrong or what needs fixed I made sure everything was tight etc any help?

[HumboldtEF]

That sounds like a loose slipper clutch. A slipper clutch connects the motor to the tranny and its job is to slip when you get bound up to save you from breaking parts. Many people will tighten them fully and equally popular is eliminating it completely. I just tighten mine. good rule of thumb is to fully tighten the slipped and back it off 1/4-1/2 turn.

[Rockeeyordy]

Okay awesome I’ll check that out thanks!

[Rockeeyordy]

If I eliminate it what parts could potentially break?

[Voodoobrew]

Just tighten that nut on the spur down all the way, what breaks at low speed, probably the motor over heats or the esc, could be driveshafts, but everyone I know eliminates it. you get a feel for the wheels getting in a bind from experience. Don't give it power when it binds up and you're fine. Its only bad if you give it power and the wheels are locked up. At higher speeds, it wont make any difference at all.

[Voodoobrew]

Also if you got any grease on those slipper pads they will slip, clean them with alcohol or brake clean (automotive) or maybe dish soap. I have never tried any of these cleaning methods on stock slipper pads FYI.

[Rockeeyordy]

Okay good to know thanks. I’ll probably just eliminate it and I have been wanting to her get some metal driveshafts too so that should help

[JeepinOR]

I do believe that some folks like to keep their driveshafts stock when upgrading parts to metal, as to leave a specific weak point in the rig. Just a thought.

[Rockeeyordy]

Okay I’ll leave it alone for now and see how she does and I left the spur gear plastic as a weak point as well but got a metal pinion gear

[ferp420]

if you havent already upgrade the gears in the transmission to hardened steel thats your next weak link i would exspect the 20t motor to give up the smoke before you break anything unless it geared way down

[Rockeeyordy]

I did the trans gears already my next upgrade is going to be the motor thinking about a 35t I just wanted to figure out the lack of power thing before buying more upgrades

[Rockeeyordy]

Well I tightened down the slipper clutch and everything is great! Thanks for the help!

[TheLetterJ]

When the time comes to replace your motor, definitely move up to a 550 size. It just takes a little filing/clearance of the right/rear/upper link mount to fit the longer can. You'll gain a significant amount of torque, as well as cooler operating temperature. Just remember that the same "turn" count won't have the same rpm with the longer motor, for example, a 21t 550 is roughly equal to a 27t 540, 27t 550 is about the same as a 35t 540. I've used both in my Wraith's, but would recommend going with the 21t 550, then gearing down as low as possible. You'll get a little more peak wattage, a little smoother startup (from the lower gearing), and potential still have a higher top speed than a 27t 550 (depending on gearing of course.)

[Rockeeyordy]

Okay awesome I’ll run the 20t for while since I just got a new one then move up and keep the 20t as a back up I just got it because it was cheap and the old one burnt out

[Voodoobrew]

Originally Posted by Rockeeyordy

I did the trans gears already my next upgrade is going to be the motor thinking about a 35t I just wanted to figure out the lack of power thing before buying more upgrades

For less money than a 35t motor you can get a robinson racing 10t pinion and a kimbrough 96t spur, and have the same speed as a 35t motor but more power and torque at the wheel. 21t 540 are right in that sweet spot for power, but that don't have the torque for crawling unless you gear them down. FYI 35t is about 60% of the speed of a 20t motor.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[Rockeeyordy]

Okay I’ll look into that as well I like the speed it has now I use mine more in creeks and trails in the woods but I do like to climb as well it’s more of a challenge that’s why I geared it to a 87/16 spur and pinion for a little more crawling capabilities I also moved my battery up under the front seat (remover front seat) and added some weight up front to keep the nose down when climbing

[Rockeeyordy]

I would post pictures but I don’t think I’m able to yet being a newbie to this place