How to get rid of slop in axles?

[maverick67]

I'm still using the stock cvds and lockers that came with my kit but have noticed quite a bit of slop (Wheel rotation without gear engagement). What's the best way to at least reduce it? I know VP makes an aftermarket locker. Does anyone know if that makes much difference?

 

[StomperCrawler]

You need to figure out where it's coming from. If the lockers fit tight then a new locker will have zero effect on the problem. My guess would be slop between the pinion and spur inside the diff, requiring some shims. You can add 1mm shims one at a time, testing until it locks and then remove one shim. But I suppose the problem could also be farther up the chain, like in the tranny.

 

[CREEPERBOB]

^^^^&^, what he said.
Our little trucks always have "little" issues, when we fix it we learn something "thumbsup".
Bob

 

[maverick67]

You need to figure out where it's coming from. If the lockers fit tight then a new locker will have zero effect on the problem. My guess would be slop between the pinion and spur inside the diff, requiring some shims. You can add 1mm shims one at a time, testing until it locks and then remove one shim. But I suppose the problem could also be farther up the chain, like in the tranny.

That's a good point. Took another look at the problem and this time, I held the left wheel steady then turned the right wheel and there was still a lot of slop. Would you agree this means that most (if not all) of the slop is coming from the diff locker itself? Of course, even if my assumption is correct, the slop could still be either from the diff locker hole being too large, or the axle shaft being too small.

 

[StomperCrawler]

That's a good point. Took another look at the problem and this time, I held the left wheel steady then turned the right wheel and there was still a lot of slop. Would you agree this means that most (if not all) of the slop is coming from the diff locker itself? Of course, even if my assumption is correct, the slop could still be either from the diff locker hole being too large, or the axle shaft being too small.

I'm not sure, but I just checked my Scx10 og and it's got slop front and rear. [emoji15]

 

[Col_Sanders]

That's a good point. Took another look at the problem and this time, I held the left wheel steady then turned the right wheel and there was still a lot of slop. Would you agree this means that most (if not all) of the slop is coming from the diff locker itself? Of course, even if my assumption is correct, the slop could still be either from the diff locker hole being too large, or the axle shaft being too small.

That slop would most likely be where the shafts go into the lockers, but up front the universals also tend to get a bit sloppy. In my experience, aftermarket lockers will fit tight for a bit but will eventually develop slop as well.

My comp rig has quite a bit of runtime on it. It has big tires, its overdriven with brushless power, and I have it steering about as far as it will turn before the tires hit the links. The universals are very sloppy but I have had no breakage. I'll be swapping them out before the next season starts just to be safe though.

 

[Motorider]

I'm still using the stock cvds and lockers that came with my kit but have noticed quite a bit of slop (Wheel rotation without gear engagement). What's the best way to at least reduce it? I know VP makes an aftermarket locker. Does anyone know if that makes much difference?

I had the same issue. I found several factors played a role in the slop. First was to replace the lockers with locked up FI spools. Next I replaced the rear shafts with OT shafts. I had to sand them with 200 grit and press them in. Next I shimmed up the gears inside the pumpkin. It took one .5mm shim to push the ring gear tighter into the pinion. Perfect mesh and zero slop in the rear.

The fronts got the lockers and that's it. The stock vvds was tight and the diff would not accept a shim. It made the gears too tight. Finally I always run a single 1mm shimm on the outside of the pumpkin between the pinion bearing and the driveshaft. When I was done, there was virtually zero slop from the front to rear tire and zero side to side.

I never found a great replacement universal for the front so I kept it stock.

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