Diff thrust bearing

[gramey]

:)This one may come back to bite me in the a--e and may not even be worth mentioning, but due to my lack of dexterity I didn't really want to mess around assembling the diff thrust bearing.
Working on the basis that the screw was the same diameter I thought the bearing may be similar dimensions to the Tamiya thrust bearing. I took out a brand new Tamiya diff thrust bearing, which is a caged type, left out the small washer from the stock one as the Tamiya is slightly deeper and put this in place of the stock self assembly bearing.
Everything screwed up o.k. and static it feels fine but I won't really know until I race it again in the new year, I don't foresee any problems though.

[chris burgess]

interesting...let us know how it holds up

[gramey]

:)Six races last Sunday and no problems, highest was a 2nd and lowest 5th. I may chance my arm and use the Tamiya screw and locknut as well as I'm not convinced with the stock method of retaining the screw.

[Northy]

Do you have any pictures?

G

[gramey]

:)Northy, Not quite sure what your asking for pictures of, the thrust bearing is just a standard Tamiya thrust bearing compatible with most of the top end Tamiya cars, TRF's TB Evo's.
The diff screw is retained with a 2mm lock nut that sits in a plastic holder that slides into the other diff half (if your posh and you want to spend £6.00 you can get an alloy nut holder).
If you want I can post a picture of the parts when I pull my buggy down for a clean.
I'm going to try the screw and locknut but I need to make sure that the lock nut & holder don't restrict the movement of the drive shaft in the diff joint. The screw is the same diameter but available from Tamiya in either 25 or 30mm length so I shall try both and see if one or other will fit.
I'm sorry if I sound lazy, I just can't see the point of wasting time putting together a thrust bearing when there's one ready made. Also if you need to take it out for any reason you havn't got the worry of losing those miniscule ball bearings.

[YoKoMo-MX4]

Northy,
Here's a photo from the TRF501X manual:

I think the parts gramey is talking about are BC2, BE7 and K4/BD6...correct me if I'm wrong on that gramey.

I nicked the photo directly from Tamiya's 501X manual, which I got here:
www.tamiyausa.com/pdf/manuals/49401ml.pdf

Also, be sure to check out all the glorious photos of this truly awesome buggy...
www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=49401

'nuff said,
MX4

[alfonzo]

I like the idea of this Gramey, especially the locknut as I've had the TTech one loosen off before. Any chance of a mini guide written up to join the other hints and tips on this website?

[gramey]

:)YoKoMo-MX4 they're exactly the parts I'm refering to, I'll be stripping and cleaning my buggy over the next couple of days. When I do I shall check if the locknut & holder will also fit, I'll post pics if poss.

[gramey]

:(O.k., not quite as simple as I though adding the longer screw, locknut & holder. Putting the screw in from the correct side means that with the locknut and holder there is severely restricted space for the drive shaft to move in and out as the suspension moves up and down.
I shall purchase a spare short diff half and drill it out so the screw can pass easily through it and try it with the screw going in from the opposite direction.

[alfonzo]

Ahh..did wonder if this would be a problem. Let us know how you get on. Good luck.