XV-01 rocks in steering?

[Dualdigger]

I am getting a little tired of rocks jamming my steering. Am I the only one with this problem? Does the inner tube trick work or do I need to cover the holes in the bottom of the chassis?

[bvrc]

I get them every time I run. Rocks are the reason I end up stopping my session and head inside. The only time this hasn't happened is when racing on an actual rally track made of silty sand/mud (hoon470).

I have inner tubes that protect a little bit, but I have found that larger rocks end up really disabling the rig. I imagine that they get knocked into the air when the car is drifting or something, they bounce inside the body a bit, and they find their way into the steering. I often find larger rocks somewhere between my servo and the steering parts. Again I guess they just fly up and work themselves down into that crevasse. I don't think they're coming in from anywhere but up. (at least for me it's not). The rocks that disable me are too big to come through the holes in the bottom of the chassis.

A full chassis protector like the one you see in Turtle's thread seems to me to be the best protection. But I've not yet tested a full protector like that...

This chassis is still pretty new to me, so others may have much more experience.

[bvrc]

Pics of my tubes, if it helps

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

[TURTLE]

More tube! I very, very seldom have my steering jam with rocks. With an underbody, associated chassis protector and the tube trick they can't get in. The only steering jam I have had recently is wet sand slowly building up in the chassis over a battery pack and getting pinched between the bell crank and chassis, but it breaks free after a jump or two.

Check my thread On my DF03RA, TB01 and XV01, I am pretty sure I show close ups of the tube trick in one or two of those threads.

[Dualdigger]

Thanks guys, I'm going to "get my tubes on" tonight and see how that goes. I don't want an underbody so if rocks keep getting in I will try the chassis protector. Another question, does anyone notice their belt seems to run on the far outside of the pulleys? Mine seems to work it's way to the edge and a little over of the tensioner at the washers. My tension seems good and I added a larger washer to the tensioner to keep it in place. Just wondering.

[Smile]

Tubes? I don't get it. Those rubber flaps don't look like tubes to me.

[bvrc]

Originally Posted by Smile

Tubes? I don't get it. Those rubber flaps don't look like tubes to me.

Inner tubes for bicycles... they start out as rubber tubes and you cut them up into scale fender wells & mud flaps.

[Dualdigger]

I got my tubes on and what a difference it has made. The piece over the steering is held in place with some Velcro and the body post.


Crap still get in there but no more rocks jamming the steering.

[Raven28]

How does one clean that up.

Let it dry and lightly with a brush.

Pull it apart and wash it. Interested in finding out.

[Dualdigger]

I use an air compressor to blast off all the dirt. It's quick and gets the hard to reach areas easily.

[TURTLE]

I start by banging it on the ground then use a stiff plastic bristle brush and tooth brush on the chassis. I clean the tires with a steel brush (one of my welding ones). There is no point in getting it 100% clean just get the big stuff out and don't worry about small amounts of dust and dirt. Hey its a rally car!

[Raven28]

Originally Posted by Dualdigger

I use an air compressor to blast off all the dirt. It's quick and gets the hard to reach areas easily.

Wouldn't an air compressor blow debris into the electrics?

[Dualdigger]

Originally Posted by Raven28

Wouldn't an air compressor blow debris into the electrics?

I guess it would if you weren't careful, but I've never had that problem.

[Dualdigger]

So I've got snow here now and it's raising havok on my steering. I am going to try the chassis protector like Turtle used. The snow collects in the steering cavity and turns into ice. You loose your steering and suspension travel. Other than that my car runs great on a backyard snow track.

[bvrc]

I have the same snow-turning-to-ice problem. honestly I haven't found a solution. too many whiskeys tonjight. I just thought I'd say, I have the same problem....

[Dualdigger]

I really like this car, I just wish the steering system was enclosed. Tamiya went trough all that work to protect the drivetrain and left the steering wide open. I'ts funny in the dirt the holes in the chassis allow small stones to fall out but the snow goes in those same holes and freezes.