X10 Carbon Steering Link

[chris burgess]

Hmm, well I broke mine, and I know of a couple more that have broken, so I got on the phone to a very helpful Richard Weatherley, who has already addressed the issue.

There have been a couple of errors in the manufactre of the part, one being that it is too thin (1.85mm as opposed to 2.05mm, it is countersunk when it should not have been, (which took away even more strength) and then of course, there may not have been enough "beef" around the edges of the hole.

All of this has been addressed, and the new part, which will be available in about a week or two, will be stronger, thicker and beefier.....that then should be the final weak point engineered out of the X10.

Good news, I am sure you will agree.

[Northy]

Yeah, emailed Richard about it last night, he says a stronger plate will be available in about 14 days.

Chris, what are you going to do till then? Do you want me to make you a fibreglass one as I'm gonna make one for mine.

[strobex10]

This is my first reply on this PRED Forum. First class site.

When are these updated carbon steering links going to be available. Broken 3 so far and don't really want to order any more until the new ones are available.

[chris burgess]

hi mate, welcome aboard!

I think if you order a carbon link now, and ask for the new updated one, you will get it.

From what i can tell, most people are junking the carbon links in favour of titanium ones, GRP ones, or in my case, ball cups and tie-rods. If you see the post in X10 races, you will see my conversion.

[pro4nut]

New x10 steering link is on its way it will be available to order later this week possible shipping next week call T.Tech to confirm.
Also available soon, crown gear reinforcing ring to prevent spread of the drive slot.
as well as new shock o rings to counter potentail leaks foound on the early cars

[Northy]

pro4nut said:

New x10 steering link is on its way it will be available to order later this week possible shipping next week call T.Tech to confirm.
Also available soon, crown gear reinforcing ring to prevent spread of the drive slot.
as well as new shock o rings to counter potentail leaks foound on the early cars

Whats the crown gear reinforcing ring? Don't understand that one.

Orings, my standard ones leaked and created alot of sticktion.

Are these parts going to be sent out to people who already have kits?

[chris burgess]

I guess not. I would expect them to keep the release of updated parts quiet and just include them in the new kits.

The crown wheel re-inforcing ring....would that not go on the pinion on the end of the prop shaft to stop the drive slot on that spreading? Guess it was mistakenly called the crown wheel re-inforcing ring...?

nice to see the car is undergoing such constant development, less than a month after release, especially with the amount of R&D that went on leading up to it's release!!!!

[Northy]

That's what I thought, must be for the pinion, just checking.

Not really on if the people who waited soooooo long for their kits don't get the parts that new customers will though

[pro4nut]

'That's what I thought, must be for the pinion, just checking'

Picky, picky you don't expect me to read back what i type do you?

But yes you are right, Richard has recently broken the drive slots on one of the test cars and in his opinion it is isn't essential but insurance against a maybe.

I agree with the updated parts being sent for free but only if they are being added to kits, if they are classed as upgrades. which is reasonable, with the exception of the steering link which could be described as a design flaw.

However i believe that there are a large number of the carbon links in the warehouse and i would be surprised if they make it into a kit for a good few months based on the volume of kits so far sold.

[chriscondon]

Does anyone know if the stronger carbon link will be available this week at all?

Thanks
Chris

[Cooper]

chriscondon said:

Does anyone know if the stronger carbon link will be available this week at all?

Thanks
Chris

I wouldn't count on it 'cause they are slow and they are in LA atm so I doubt you would have it this week

[GAZ]

I spoke to TTech today and they are waiting for a batch of the new links to arrive, hopefully be about seven to ten day's with a bit of luck

[chris burgess]

pro4nut said:

'That's what I thought, must be for the pinion, just checking'

Picky, picky you don't expect me to read back what i type do you?

I guess not, I do never!! ;D

But, the carbon steering links in the warehouse are from the original batch are they not? If that's the case, they are the wrong thickness (manufacturers fault) and they are countersunk (manufacturers fault) BUT they are not wide enough around the delrin post holes (design fault).

So, If i was richard, I would throw them all back at the manufacturer as faulty, (as they do not know about the design flaw), and get them to make some revised parts at a heavily discounted price - the thicker material without the countersunk holes will make a lot of difference.

BUT if Richard insists on putting the faulty ones in the kit, he is going to have a lot more disgruntled customers, and I doubt very much that he would risk that, at what is still such an early stage of product release.

[YoKoMo-MX4]

admin said:

So, If i was richard, I would throw them all back at the manufacturer as faulty, (as they do not know about the design flaw)

Umm, now they know ;D

'nuff said,
MX4

[Northy]

admin said:

pro4nut said:

'That's what I thought, must be for the pinion, just checking'

Picky, picky you don't expect me to read back what i type do you?

I guess not, I do never!! ;D

But, the carbon steering links in the warehouse are from the original batch are they not? If that's the case, they are the wrong thickness (manufacturers fault) and they are countersunk (manufacturers fault) BUT they are not wide enough around the delrin post holes (design fault).

So, If i was richard, I would throw them all back at the manufacturer as faulty, (as they do not know about the design flaw), and get them to make some revised parts at a heavily discounted price - the thicker material without the countersunk holes will make a lot of difference.

BUT if Richard insists on putting the faulty ones in the kit, he is going to have a lot more disgruntled customers, and I doubt very much that he would risk that, at what is still such an early stage of product release.

That's what I would do at work, send them back. The fact that this has not happened makes me wonder if they really have been manufactured wrong.

Also the manual shows the current design link. How long did that take to print? About as long as it would take to get some links made again?

Could be wrong though, just my humble opinion.

BTW I am still racing with the standard link. I guess if you don't crash it won't break! ;D