Stealth Maxx Suspension Lockout

[Digger]

I was playing around with some scrap maxx pieces tonight and I came up with an interesting and easy way to lock the suspension. Using a rear bulkhead, RPM narrow maxx arms and a stock maxx bellcrank center link, I locked the suspension without any extra brackets or mount plates added. Here's some pics of it:

I cut a small notch in the upper hinge pin mount as shown, just wide enough for the center link to fit, directly above the lower shock mounting location.


Then here's a stock maxx steering center link. One end is drilled open slightly for the upper hinge pin to slip through snug(the left end in the pic).


The other end is mounted to the lower arm's inner lower shock mount, the drilled end is slipped into the notch I cut above.


You can probably already see that the upper arm is going to hit the centerlink, and you're right, it is. But after a little dremel work:

I used the RPM arms because they are thicker right there, so they are still plenty strong after removing enough material to clear.

It clears beautifully while still leaving enough material for strength:


Here's the angle of the arms that I ended up with.


I measured against my other maxxes and this is just as steep as possible without having to do much other dremel work to clear the shafts. It should clear the stock heavy duty shafts at this angle, and still allow the knuckles to turn without severe binding.

I also tried using an old stock narrow maxx arm, just to see if it would work, and it will...




You can see from the pics though, that the stock arms don't leave much material after notching them to clear the link. I notched the arm instead of grinding down the centerlink so I wouldn't weaken the link at all. If I ground it, it would have to be right where the inner hole is to do any good, and that would weaken it too much, in my opinion.

The cool things about this is that it uses scrap leftover maxx parts that you probably have laying around, it's totally stealth in that nothing sticks above the upper arm and it requires no extra mounting plate, bracket or custom links to be made. No more threaded rod covered by brake line! WOOHOO! LOL!

And even though this is plenty strong enough with just one centerlink as shown, you could also add another one to the other lower shock mount to be symetrical if you want. Another added bonus is that the lower, inner hole of the centerlink could be used as a lower shock mount if you like...

Like I said, just playing with some scrap parts I found laying around. What do you guys think?

[BrockGrimes]

Interesting idea and the strength isn't affected as the main holding area is where the pin actually goes through the a arm. Pretty trick setup, nice work. I was looking at the pics again and if you move the brace inboard on the a arm it looks like you might have more material to work with, but the pics could be deceiving

[Digger]

Yeah, I thought about that, but it would be kinda close to the telescoping shafts depending on what type I use, be it Revo or HD Maxx... Plus the way I have it, there isn't even a hint of flex, so it's plenty strong enough!

[BrockGrimes]

Cool. What's you over all design going to be? parts pieces wheels tires tranny...etc...etc...

I've got a T-maxx in the garage begging to be made into an electric.
I kill it just about everytime I drive the f'er.
Keep us posted.

[Digger]

I'm really not sure yet, but it will definately be something unique if even half of my ideas make it into the works... LOL!

[xtremraptor]

this is a good idea. nice find

however, doesn't the maxx only come with one of those steering links? means you'll have to go buy at least 3 more to make it work on all four corners.

obviously still easier than making links and probably cheaper too.

[Digger]

Yeah, normally the maxx only comes with one. But I had many others laying around because most of the maxxes at the track had converted to the Proline Steering kit, plus my Bronco maxx uses the pieces from 3 bellcrank sets to have 2 front steering servos and one rear. A couple of other maxxes at the track are running multiple servos and had extra links unused as well... I was just happy that the length was just perfect for this!

[Trike Kid]

I wouldn't have thought of that one, I'm just using the links I made for mine. Of course, I also couldn't tell you where that part is from my maxx. I did manage to work small pieces of a stock Evader BX rear suspension arm into my steering though, as a spacer to get the linkages for that tucked up close to the bulks.