Why Sleeve Linkage???

[RTR104]

Ok, so been a lurker here for about 2 months, bought me an Everest 10 and love it. I am familiar with R/C, had a grasshopper that I turned to front wheel drive when the hornet was new, then turned it into 4WD when the Fox was new....I say new ....new to my knowledge base at the age of 11-12 I also am familiar with Helis on the micro scale......anyways I modded my Everest to use the Gmade R1 chassis and have a question about why everyone sleeves their DYI custom linkage when using the all thread method. I gather its two fold.

1. Added strength, as AT isn't the strongest but at my speeds see it holding up fine
2. Needed to smooth out the all thread and by adding the sleeve makes for less traction/friction when it slides across rocks along the linkage.

I fully understand reason #1.....but #2 I question considerably...I have not found a solid answer so my theory is just that. I can't see the AT being any more of a hindrance than a scratched up aluminum link. However zero experience with the AT links "YET".... It is more of a WHY do you all do this as opposed to I think you all are wrong LOL.

[BACK40]

1. Yes
2. Maybe
3. Looks better

[Shinchu]

Your instinct is correct.
Sleeves butt up against the rod ends and help brace the AT so it doesnt buckle. AT is only as strong as the inner diameter of the thread. Kinda thin.
As for the friction, yes.
AT would be "against the grain" when sliding over the rocks. Slide a comb over some rocks and see how smooth it is. Then turn it over and slide it on the smooth side.
Sleeves even if scratched will be "with the grain" and have almost no effect on ability to help slide over rocks.

And, yes it looks better. It would be like a 1:1 using rebar for links. Bleh.

Last, I think this should be in the general crawlers section. It has nothing to do with wheels or tires.

[RTR104]

@Shinchu

Thank you for your response. I didn't want to go the sleeved AT if it was simply for looks at first. Figured could get away with testing to verify link position with actual dirt time, but to sleev'em isnt a big deal, I have a ton of drip line I can use for testing and sleeve my final set with SS or AL to finish them off. +1Million Agreed 1:1 with rebar linkage...waaaaaaaay hack job.

Sorry for the wrong section posting.... I couldn't find any forum section related to suspension so I decided on the closest one I thought was related ....Damn Noobs

MODS/ADMINS move as needed

[Shinchu]

Glad to help. Welcome to RCC!