Front wheels won't turn!

[growlinsax]

I recently got a used wraith and was experiencing an odd clicking from the front end. After tearing it down, it seems that when I tighten the wheels down it causes the wheel bearings to bind.

I took the knuckles off and confirmed that the binding was only in the knuckles. It looks like I've got the stock axle-shafts and axial-imitation aluminum knuckles. Everything works fine until I put the wheels on. The binding continues after I take the wheels off but goes away when I loosen the hexes. I assume this is because the wheel pushes the hex tighter and it's held there by the set screw.

If I loosen the wheel nuts, things get too sloppy so I don't think I'm over tightening them.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

P. S. In my searching, I've found plenty of references to stock axleshafts binding at full lock. That is not the problem I am having. This issue happens in the knuckles when they're off the truck.

 

[frdtrkguy]

Is the wheel binding against the knuckle? What wheels?

 

[k7zpj]

. The binding continues after I take the wheels off but goes away when I loosen the hexes. I assume this is because the wheel pushes the hex tighter and it's held there by the set screw.

The pin that goes through the axle and that the hex fits on is supposed to keep the hex from hitting the bearing. With the wheel and hex off you need to check to see if the pin is hitting the bearing. There is suppose to be a gap. If not, post some picture so that we can see what is going on.

 

[growlinsax]

Here's a picture of it. There is a very small gap between the pin and the bearing. I can get a piece of card stock between there, but certainly no more.

I'll make a video soon to show the problem.

Thanks for the replies!

 

[growlinsax]

And here is the video.
Axial Wraith Knuckle issue - YouTube

Fair warning: It's 3 minutes long; which is a bit longer than I'd hoped. But hopefully you get an idea of what's going on even though I'm no Squirrel.

 

[TURTLE]

What does the back of the hex look like? Did you try pulling the inside bearing out to make sure it was ok? What knuckles are those? Its possible the knuckles were not made right and are a little too deep.

If you look behind the wheel when it is mounted is the plastic of the wheel touching the knuckle?

 

[Tonysmini]

It looks like your wheel has been brushing on your steering arm too, but I think maybe your inner bearing isn't sitting deep enough, or it may be slightly too wide.

It looks as though your driveshaft isn't protruding as much as it should. Is the ridge still present on the inside of your hex? I had something similar on an old Tamiya buggy where the ridge had gone (sanded flat by a previous owner) and the back face of the hex was pressing against the whole bearing face, rather than the ridge pressing against the inner race and allowing it to spin freely.

 

[growlinsax]

Is the ridge still present on the inside of your hex? I had something similar on an old Tamiya buggy where the ridge had gone (sanded flat by a previous owner) and the back face of the hex was pressing against the whole bearing face, rather than the ridge pressing against the inner race and allowing it to spin freely.

I doubt that's the problem because I bought new hexes for it since it was missing one of the pins when I got it. I tried old and new hexes and got the same results.

I think the bearing is being pressed regardless since the problem persists without the wheels on. I'm not sure how well my video showed that, but I don't think the wheel is rubbing on the knuckle. The steering arm I'm using was not installed in the pics or videos; those are still on the truck. I'm guessing the wear that's on the BTA arm happened some other way.

 

[Erbing]

Is the hex hitting the bearing? when you tighten the tire it might be pushing the hex into the bearing. I know you tighten the hex screw, but maybe try another hex.

 

[Hardline]

Try replacing the wheel with a stack of washers or something and tighten the nut as per usual. If something rubs, you should now be able to see it. If problem's gone, it must have to do with the wheel.

Like everyone else, I'm guessing the hex is rubbing. I know you put new ones on, but...

 

[Tonysmini]

Looks like your outer bearing is sitting proud of the knuckle, so maybe the extra width inside you mentioned is the problem.

Does the inner one seat okay? The clicking sounds like a flat spot in one of the bearings so I would replace those first and see if it still happens then. Is it just on this knuckle? Try using the shaft then the bearings from the other side and see if still happens. If it does then you know it's the knuckle and it will need modifying or replacing, if not then it's either the bearings (maybe too wide?) or the shaft (compare them, then either replace them if it is this or swap them out for CVD's if you can find them.)

It does sound like the bearings are being crushed tight, can you get a pic of the driveshaft with the bearing removed. I'm wondering if it's binding up here rather than at the hex side.

 

[growlinsax]

Since both knuckles show signs of wear I think I'm going to replace them and see where that gets me. I'll also rebuild the bearings since they seem fine until they're crushed. (Plus I want to get a better servo, so bearings can wait) I'll check back in with the results.

 

[growlinsax]

Well, as expected, a set of Vanquish knuckles fixed me right up. As usual, you get what you pay for.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Tonysmini]

glad you've got it sorted out.