Gonna Start My X10 Build

[idoxlr8b4u]

Yea ! update ! update !

[papawheelie]

Hey Everyone,

First, I would like to say that this is one heck of a build. Many times I was completely frustrated and cursed the relatively bland manual. The manual is absolutely the worst and combined with the many new parts, is at points useless and just plain wrong. So far, I have spent 30.5 hours on this build and I expect to have another 5 or more just to have this car working. Afterwords, I have no idea how long it is going to take to get good setups for the local tracks and parts in the USA are still lacking. Looking back, I feel horrible for anyone trying to build this kit without either access to the internet or a friend who has already built this car and have gone through some of the growing pains.

That being said, I was finally able to get the speedo, receiver and motor installed last night and drove the car for a couple of minutes last night at 2:00 am. Holy Cow! This car is the most responsive car I have ever driven. It is so smooth it is almost unreal. My diffs are slipping a little and I will need to tighten them to get full use of my car.

Now that I have the car together, I can not wait to start wrenching on it some more because I know this car will be even better than what I experienced last night ( which is pretty hard to grasp). I still need to go through and loctite some screws, double check all measurements, and male sure all ballends are secured the right way onto the balls.

Anyways, please, if anybody has any questions, especially if you are considering buying this kit or are in the midst of building, do not hesitate to ask and I will try my hardest to answer them. I have tried to explain to my buddies how had this build was and they have no comprehension. I may sound dramatic but I have only built Associated and Losi cars until now. Those cars are a walk in the park compared to the X10. I think the incomplete manual has caused the most pains and led to at least 4 or 5 hours of looking for parts until finally figuring out what to do. If the manual says use these screws and this part, I look for those items until finally giving up and using the suitable replacement. After half way through the build, I finally cleared my kitchen counter and layed out all the parts in chronological order according to the manual. I then substituted what I could and in some cases, pulled screws from my parts bin.

Sorry this post is so long. I should of given updates during the process but wanted to spend as much time on the build as possible. I do not want to sound like I am complaining or whining, probably too late for that. I am relieved I have gotten through the build and I can not wait to drive this beast of a car.

In the end, I would have to say, this build is pretty tough but worth it. Tomorrow I will be running this car at the track and will let you guys know how it handles and jumps.

BTW, is it advisable to remove the diffs to tighten them or can I just tighten them a 1/8 turn while in the car and place a drop of super glue on the threaded end, a la Richard's method?

Oh, yeah, thank you to all that have answered my questions, I hope to return the favor.

[bigboss]

Good to hear you like the car & finally finished the build.
When I said earlier "take your time" I meant it, now you see what I mean. anyway good job for completing the kit. If these instructions were tough to work with I dread to think what you would have thought of the instructions that came with one of my earlier T.Tech cars it really looked like an after thought, two xeroxed pages and.... that's it, now that was a hard build.
But yes I do understand it would be a hard build for anyone who only had to deal with Losi & AE before, those instructions are probably the benchmark.
No you don't remove the diffs in order to adjust them, in small increments (1/8 of a turn) tighten the loose diff until it stops slipping, followed by loosening the slipper nut in order to for it to work(ideally you want the slipper to slip if the car is facing an obstruction like a pipe or wall. that way you spare the diff a hard and short life. only then put the drop of CA on the nut side of the diff.
I know it sound a bit like a lecture & I'm sorry for that, but , it was not my intention to do so. only help you out.
let us know how you do at the track, soon.
later.

[papawheelie]

Bigboss -

I think most of my anxiety was caused by lack of spare parts. All of my spare screws are imperial and not metric. Luckily, the only missing screws were for the rear upright through bolts. I was able to usesome 4-40 x 3/4" button heads and lock nuts.

I went ahead and tightened the rear diff like you explained and drove the car again last night, in front of my house. I have to take it easy as I only have one set of wheels and have some holeshots mounted front and rear. Dont want to kill the tires on asphalt before I get a chance to take it on dirt.

Thanks again.

[YoKoMo-MX4]

papawheelie said:

30.5 hours

And I thought I took my time at 16 hrs...

papawheelie said:

... completely frustrated and cursed the relatively bland manual.

Thanks be to the Internets! As already stated, this manual is lightyears better than some previous TTech manuals and the online community is quite active and helpful.

papawheelie said:

The manual is absolutely the worst and combined with the many new parts, is at points useless and just plain wrong.

... but I'd argue that few instruction manuals are perfect on first draft, no matter what the manual is for ... save maybe the Space Shuttle.

I'm sure you will enjoy the car. As you have already experienced, it is like nothing else.

'nuff said,
MX4

[papawheelie]

Yokomo -

Yeah, Over 30 hours and still not quite ready for the track. I hopefully will have another kit in a week or so. I suspect that build will be much easier as I will have everything ready. I will be laying out all the parts in chronological order according to the manual. Also, I won't be wasting time looking for nonexistent screws that the manual says to use.

Can not wait to get to the track. Its gonna be a long week.