How To: Make your own links

[jkabee]

So, when you guys say 1/4" SS tube, is that outer dimension or inner dimension? When on McMaster-Carr, i noticed the difference and didn't know which I should order...

[smoedog]

1/4 in is the Outside diameter AKA the OD measurement on the page.
and the ID is the inside diameter

[jkabee]

Thanks SmoeDog. So I should get 1/4" OD, right? That's what I hear you guys saying to use for making links? That and 8/32 all thread.

[5VoltDetonator]

I'm thinking about making some links ans steering link my rtr scx10. But as a newb of course I don't understand some things. First off my steering links are bent- would I also need to bend the one I make? I see the axial steering upgrade kit does not come with bent links.. Bent or Not does it matter? Then there are the rear links I see most that come bent but my stock one are that strtaight plastic, again bent or not does it matter?

[sidehiller]

If you can get away with straight thats fine (quick and easy to make)
Peaple bend there links to get better clearance

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

[5VoltDetonator]

Originally Posted by sidehiller

If you can get away with straight thats fine (quick and easy to make)
Peaple bend there links to get better clearance

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

One more quick question do I use the revo rod ends for steering links also? Do they fit?

I seen the stock set had rod ends that are bent - so you can use there straight tube I think. Will my 8/32 all treade fit into those rod ends?

I got everything I needed at lunch and cant wait to get home and start making these.

[5VoltDetonator]

Wow! What a day! Thanks for everyones help!!!

I may make a new Steering link with a bend in it, right now the strraigt one seems pretty good. My POS wanna be dremel wasn't cutting like I wanted but once I got a hacksaw I was off and runnin. I can allready tell it feels better- will know more tommorow.


It Begins

[sidehiller]

Feels good doesn't it :thumbup::thumbup:

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

[5VoltDetonator]

Originally Posted by sidehiller

Feels good doesn't it :thumbup::thumbup:

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

Oh Yeah, going to feel extra proud wheelin it tommorow! I like doing stuff when I got good instructions and support from people in a place like this. Don't know how I got along with out forums in a the past? It aint easy getting them perfectly the exact lengh but with a little trial and error they are perfect now. The trick was figuring out exactly how much the rod end was going to screw in and cutting everything perfect so it all came together tight and the correct length the first time.

[RootBreaker]

Originally Posted by sidehiller

Feels good doesn't it :thumbup::thumbup:

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

story of my life..

Originally Posted by 5VoltDetonator

Oh Yeah, going to feel extra proud wheelin it tommorow! I like doing stuff when I got good instructions and support from people in a place like this. Don't know how I got along with out forums in a the past? It aint easy getting them perfectly the exact lengh but with a little trial and error they are perfect now. The trick was figuring out exactly how much the rod end was going to screw in and cutting everything perfect so it all came together tight and the correct length the first time.

I agree... the support here is great I also ponied up the $20 for a star to support the site.. if we all do this each year it will ensure a small price to keep the support going here!!!!!!!!!

so you like the DIY Links.. now you need to lookup 32 pitch gear upgrade!!!

[2.slowduo]

I just built some for my lr3 honcho. It was super easy

Hobby town only had 1 bag of revo ends. But since I already have the steering upgrade and my front is still 3 link. It was just enough

Great thread

[Valreesio]

Just got done making my rear links using the information in this thread. Thanks to everyone who posted. I have a couple of things though. I looked everywhere in town and there was no stainless steel without special ordering it, and that was minimum 20 foot lengths, so I just used brake line and polished it up with sandpaper. The LHS only had one pack of Revo ends, so when the other pack comes in, I will finish the front and maybe steering links. Do you use the same size links for the front or do you shorten them a little bit? I know on my SCX-10 Honcho, it has shorter links on the front, but just wondering if people have done differently? Also i found a good way to install the ball ends into the Revo ends...check out my video...

Revo ball ends installed easy. - YouTube

And here are some pictures of my new ends...

[Valreesio]

Just got done making my rear links using the information in this thread. Thanks to everyone who posted. I have a couple of things though. I looked everywhere in town and there was no stainless steel without special ordering it, and that was minimum 20 foot lengths, so I just used brake line and polished it up with sandpaper. The LHS only had one pack of Revo ends, so when the other pack comes in, I will finish the front and maybe steering links. Do you use the same size links for the front or do you shorten them a little bit? I know on my SCX-10 Honcho, it has shorter links on the front, but just wondering if people have done differently? Also i found a good way to install the ball ends into the Revo ends...check out my video...

Revo ball ends installed easy. - YouTube

And here are some pictures of my new ends...

[LoneRanger]

I have a totally different way of doing things that has NOT been listed in this thread- it however may not be for you "hard core" wheelers.

I used steel brake line from the auto store and filled each end with silver solder. I then heated the outside of the tube until the silver solder melted and filled in the ends. Then I drilled out the ends with the correct size drill bit and tapped the solder. (yes solder is soft, but for my stupid scale build it has worked great) I used the rc4wd rod ends that thread into my tapped links. I went with a 100% scale steering linkage. again, may not be for everyone but its accurate and will work fine for the mall crawling I will do with this truck.



L.R.

[Valreesio]

I will say that your rod ends look better than mine. Looks good.

[Valreesio]

Finished my front tie rod and drag links today...a little harder than links, but not bad. Well worth it in my opinion.

[Jeepfixer1]

This post is how I did mine, I have changed this method a little. Now I don't tap the tubes. I just run the screw half way in the tube with loctite on the threads. It is hard to screw in but holds great. Then cut off the screw head and twist the rod end on. I don't tap em I just get em started then put my 3mm driver through the hole and twist em tight. Now that said, either method works well and is strong.

Materials: 1/4" by .049 thick wall aluminum tubing. 2) 4x20 or 25mm screws. 3) Traxxas revo rod ends.

First I removed one of my stock links and bent a piece of tubing into a slight s shape so the rod ends will go straight into the link mounts. You can make the tubing straight but it will have the rod ends right at the edge of binding.Also when you cut your tubing. If you will use a tubing cutter instead of a cutoff wheel it makes a much nicer joint. I cut my tubing at 94mm if you lay your prebent tubing on a flat surface and measure from top center to top center.



Next I screwed the screw into the plastic rod end. Then cut the head of the screw off with a dremel dipping the screw into water occasionally to avoid melting the rod end. Also I tapped the aluminum rod running the tap in just far enough the screw starts binding when the rod and rod end come together. Also when you cut your tubing. If you will use a tubing cutter instead of a cutoff wheel it makes a much nicer joint. When assembling the rod end to the rod make sure to use red loctite



All this worked out to make some really nice lower links for less than $20. Also the satisfaction of making them yourself. They can be easily polished to a mirror finish with some mag wheel polish. One more thing, if you notice where the links go to the lower trans plate. If you put a thin 4mm washer or so on the inside of the chrome ball it will take all the slop out.

Upper links are next. Hope this helps those who wanted to try this

[Valreesio]

I like the looks of your links better than mine...but I am curious as to how they are going to hold up hitting rocks and such being that they are hollow. It might not even be a factor, but just wondering. Update us after a few runs.

[Jeepfixer1]

I have had them on there for months and I'm running a pro4 3300kv and a rc4wd 2spd trans. They have done awesome. This tubing is stout due to its wall thickness, when it is cut down to link size you can't bend it by hand.

[Valreesio]

That is awesome...will point a friend to your way...he snapped a solid link and bent his frame today on his red cat...