How to fix sloppy 3905 steering linkage?

[notnodak]

From what I have seen all have it because there are no bearings on the slave side, just plastic bushings. I think it's a must do mod. You might not notice much till you compare it to ours with the mod. If your servos were noisy it could be you have a servo arm off by one spline and that it was under a small bind that coveres the slop.
When I called Traxxas about this the tech I talked to grabbed a new E-Maxx and it had same slop. He stated it was normal and not to worry. I just wanted it to track straight and be smoother so I fixed it.

By leaving out the one link it still smoothes everything out better then stock because you now have nice bearing to support the slave side. You could just get bearings for the slave side but they'll be real small.

[madd_maxx08]

does this mod help to not strip servo gears??

[notnodak]

olny the driver can do that or else MG servo

[FunkedOut]

...FUNKEDOUT: Doesn't removing that link completely defeat the purpose of the second servo saver? Maybe i'm missing the big picture here.

actually, adding the second servo saver is not about adding a second saver at all. it's about removing the play the non-saver bellcrank had in it. the second saver was just a cheap bellcrank with bearings.

[FunkedOut]

does this mod help to not strip servo gears??

nope. it will actually help you to strip gears if you install the red blinking link. (bad thing)

this may help the function of your saver, although I would try reducing spring tension first. my stock saver actually works with no mods.
http://monster.traxxas.com/showpost....4&postcount=14

[notnodak]

I've been lucky I guess and never stripped a stock servo.

[Custnam]

I noticed slop in my steering as well, and I looked into it and discovered that one side had bearings, the other plastic bushings that were already wearing out. So I went to the hobby shop, and while I was there I remembered that I needed some bearings. And I eyeballed a set and got lucky, they were the right size. And for me that took care of it. Im going to see how this works in the long run, and if I get excessive slop again Ill do the mod. Excellent work on the how to, with pics and all.

[FunkedOut]

very nice! pics and size of those bearings please.

[Custnam]

Funked out, I think you misunderstood me, sorry about that. What I meant by "Excellent work on the how to, with pics and all." was towards all the guys that posted pics and how to's. Heres a pic and part # of the correct bearing for the size bearings I used in the steering arm when I replaced the garbage plastic bushings. traxxas Part #5114 Ball bearings, blue rubber-sealed (5x8x2.5mm) (2) (two packages required for the steering bellcranks)
I didnt use the traxxas ones. I looked through some of the hobby stores bearings and I cant remember the exact one I used, but I guessed on the size and got lucky. But they are exactly like the traxxas ones I have listed in the part # and picture link. But you can use any ball bearing brand as long as its the same size listed above. Now Im not saying to do this instead of the mod. I most likely would have done the mod if I would have read about it before I got the bearings. But I did my own experimenting by tearing into the steering system and I discovered "some" of the slop coming from the slightly worn plastic bushings. And in time I know it woudve just gotten worse.

http://img120.imageshack.us/my.php?image=5114thox6.jpg

[FunkedOut]

custnam, i understood you loud and clear. and by the way, thanks for the kind words. the pic's and how-to's are mine! i was simply asking you for pics and size of the bearings you used.

i only see a need for two bearings on the one side, so why would you need two packages? the other side (servo saver) already has bearings.

a pic of the install would be nice. i think with bearings in there, there is no need to cut the post.

[notnodak]

Credit does belong to FunkedOut for the awsome pics for the how-to and I'd thought about just the bearings but I like the extra linkage to keep everything in line.

[Custnam]

good question about the 4 bearings. I just cut and pasted that from traxxas website. Im not sure why they say it requires 4.

[notnodak]

I think you need 4 if you have a 3906 E-Maxx or 3.3 or older T-Maxx. only two are needed for thr new linkage setup.

[cscommando]

I was just checking out ads on ebay US and noticed that one of the guys mentioned that you can just replace the bushings (on the crappy side) with ball bearings and it wouldhelp to improve steering response. Has anyone tried this? (instead of hacking off the post and installing the second servo saver etc etc)

[Popoxx]

I was just checking out ads on ebay US and noticed that one of the guys mentioned that you can just replace the bushings (on the crappy side) with ball bearings and it wouldhelp to improve steering response. Has anyone tried this? (instead of hacking off the post and installing the second servo saver etc etc)

I did it but I didn't notice a real difference, above all because I didn't have any problem before

[notnodak]

The thing with just replacing the bushing with bearings is that the replacement bearings are super small and the mod uses much larger/stronger/ longer lasting bearings. I like to fix it once.

[bluebill]

hmm... yea much smaller bearings but if it makes a decent amount of difference, i may just do that instead of the whole mod, cus much cheaper and really no work involved. i hate being the gunui pig so imma wait till someoone on here with more time try it first, please report with your results . ..thanks

[FunkedOut]

i think the small bearings might work. in my case, the large amount of play came from the fact that the bushings actually ate away at the aluminum post, creating a void for more play.

[bluebill]

im away from my truck at the moment but was wondering, which ball bearing would i need to replace the bushing? and will i just need one of those? will i be removing a lot of parts to install the bearing ..thanks?

[FunkedOut]

im away from my truck at the moment but was wondering, which ball bearing would i need to replace the bushing?

Custnam said (11 posts ago) that he used "traxxas Part #5114 Ball bearings, blue rubber-sealed (5x8x2.5mm)"

and will i just need one of those?

you'll need two bearings, that's one package, i think.

will i be removing a lot of parts to install the bearing ..thanks?

front skid plate, drag link and the other link holding the two bellcranks together.
flip the truck over and remove the cover on the receiver box; that let's you get at the screw holding the post on the chassis. i counted 4 parts. i may have missed one or two...

[wade7575]

You want to take that second link out or you would not have either servo saver working.Yes the slop comes with age Traxxas use's plastic Bushing's on the post with no servo saver.Now if you do not want to go to all the work of having to cut the plastic post off to put a second servo saver in there just get some Traxxas 5x8x2.5 Blue rubber sealed Ball Bearing's part#5114 and just pop out the plastic Bushing and put in those Bearing's.Now I can not speak for anyone else who did the second sevro saver Mod from what a few guys told me that I PM'D and told them what I did they told me they did not think that anyone made Ball Bearing's small enough to fit the where the Bushing's are.Also anyone who is having problems like me where the servo saver jams pretty much instanly from the smallest amount of Dirt Traxxas has made a revised servo saver for the MAXX Trucks and the last batch of all MAX Trucks that went out had the new design in it,the tech told me instead of having V Block's they are more shaped like U's.

[FunkedOut]

Also anyone who is having problems like me where the servo saver jams pretty much instanly from the smallest amount of Dirt Traxxas has made a revised servo saver for the MAXX Trucks and the last batch of all MAX Trucks that went out had the new design in it,the tech told me instead of having V Block's they are more shaped like U's.

good bit of info there. i couldn't find anything when i search for 4945R or 4945X, did they mention a new part number, or will it just be an unacknowledged revision?

[bluebill]

yea some very good info here . thanks guys. the second mod doesnt sound hard to do at all nor much time. i may just be doin this mod along with adding the gyro thingy.

[MrBadExample]

What about trying this aluminum steering link?


http://www.neweramodels.com/item.cgi...=&part_id=9235

[wade7575]

It will be a new part but the part number will be the same.

[alangsam]

It sure would be nice if traxxas would just sell a precision aluminum bellcrank setup like they do for the bandit rustler?
http://www.traxxas.com/scripts/trxne...php?newsid=129

[bluebill]

custnam and wade tells me to get the 5114 bearings and popoxx told me to get the 5116 bearings. all three of you have done the mod but these two bearings listed are of different sizes. so are you guys replacing different bushings here??? and custnam, are you saying we need two package or two bearings? two packages would be 4 total.

[bluebill]

ok nevermind about the 2 packages i understand that part, i know its only 2 bearings needed. but im very confused on which part number to get still, someone else told me its #5116.
and alangsam, they do have an all aluminum steering:
http://www.ghhobby.com/proddetail.php?prod=2580

[cscommando]

From what Ive gathered

If you have a 3905 and want to do the "servo saver replacement mod".. ie cut the post, you'll need 1 x 5116 (2 per pack) + the steering bellcrank assembly thingo

If you just want to try to replace the existing crap steering sides plastic bushings with ball bearings, buy 1 x 5114 (2 per pack)

Not sure about the 3906 but from what Ive read, you'll need 2 packs of either pack (5116 or 5114)

Please correct me if Im wrong!

[bluebill]

i think your very correct cscommando. but did any of you guys check out that aluminum steering bell crank i linked....looks very nice indeed.

[FunkedOut]

i think your very correct cscommando. but did any of you guys check out that aluminum steering bell crank i linked....looks very nice indeed.

looks real nice. you'd want to get the smaller bearings that fit the side with the shaft. i wonder how the aluminum saver actually functions. probably really well if you keep some graphite on it.

[bluebill]

got them bearings on the way. i hope my bushings are all jacked and deformed so ill notice a huge difference when i install them bearings hahah. but even if its not...sooner or later it will and i wont have to worry about them. i wish there was some kind of true tracks for the fronts.

[notnodak]

The plastic arms are pretty stif so unless I break them I'll stay away from aluminum stuff. That draglink might have posibilities though

[bluebill]

yea that steering bellcrank is the only piece i really want. the plastic bellcrank has play between that and the screw...both sides has play so that can add to the slop alone. only if i got some washers thatll fit, i think that would take out the play.

[bluebill]

so i just replaced the bushings with the bearings and i must say they do help indeed. prolly not as good as adding another servo saver mod but its worth it in my opinion. i think it has 30% less slop.

[madd_maxx08]

yeah I just did the same yesterday to mine. I seen the slop the 'bushings' had in them and the bearings seem to have helped alot. Now I just need the new re-designed servo saver from Traxxas and I will be set...

[akrimmel]

i did this mod and took the post lower than the other and the steering is perfect. handles so much better than the stock setup. if you have doubts dont, well worth it and you will notice the tighter steering!@!!!!!!!!

[bluebill]

hay akrimmel, what you mean you took the post lower than the other?

[notnodak]

You have to cut a post off the slave side of the chassis to put in the second saver and if you cut it a little shorter it is less the "servo saver" and more the pivot point= less stress on the servos.

[bluebill]

o ok got it