Plastic or Aluminum rod ends

[Novarider]

I have worn out 2 sets of shock rod ends.

My question is should I stick with the stock plastic ones as kind of a weak spot so I dont bend shock shafts or should I get some Aluminum ones so I dont have to worry about them wearing out anymore?

Same question for pushrod ends. I have worn out 1 set of pushrod ends now and one just snapped in half on me. Should I stay plastic for the same reasons or should I go aluminum?

[bluwhale]

I've gone through a few too and I realized it's simpler and cheaper if I keep a good stock of replacements with me. So when I'm out bashing instead of bending a push rod, tie rod, shock shaft or breaking a suspension arm and ending the day. All I have to do is spend 5 minutes replacing the rod end and I'm right to go again. Just my 2 cents there.

[chet jamio]

http://monster.traxxas.com/showthread.php?t=481558

http://monster.traxxas.com/showthread.php?t=490319

[Novarider]

It sounds like I just need to get some stock ends to keep as spairs

[1stGenCRXer]

If you're wearing out shock rod ends EVERY time you run the truck, something is wrong in your suspension. Spring rate too high, too much spring preload, improper damping [shock fluid too thick or too thin], etc.

This goes double if you're wearing out pushrod ends quickly.

On the nitro revo, I run aluminum shock ends on the rear shocks because the exhaust softens them, but on the ERBE, my wife has beat it silly and the rod ends are still stock.

[Novarider]

No I havent worn out a set every run I have worn out 2 sets one on my nitro revo and one on my e-revo and both have seen some pretty hard bashing and have lasted a while. The same goes for the pushrods except the extra one that snapped in half on me today(the rod end) So i'm just wondering if aluminum would be best but I think i'll just stick with the plastic ones

[bluwhale]

I haven't had any were out, they just break on bad impacts. e.g. my bud and I were dragging our Revos and he hit a post on the front left at top speed... all that broke was a push rod end (both pivot balls popped out but no other breakages). I had some spare rod ends (I replaced my push rods with Traxxas red alu ones that come with more ends so had the origninal ones there doing nothing). He was up and running again in no time.

[1stGenCRXer]

Like I said, the nitro revo can eat rear shock rod ends due to the exhaust heating them up and making them soft. Before I switched to aluminum in the rear, I used to go through a set of rear shock rod ends every race.

The ERBE has gone through some HEAVY bashing at the hands of my wife, in addition to her learning how to drive proficiently, and the only ends I've had to replace have been on the rear toe links [clipping fixed objects]. Though if you run yours more often than she drives, then you may not have a lot to worry about.

[chet jamio]

It sounds like I just need to get some stock ends to keep as spairs

That's the best option. Make sure to buy the 5348, not the 5347. And then do this mod as shown by the lovable mistercrash.

[Novarider]

What's wrong with 5347?

[chet jamio]

Image and words copied from mistercrash (you really should read his whole thread) - I also like to use the TRA5348 turnbuckle rod ends on all the turnbuckles and the pushrods. They are the biggest and bulkiest rod ends used on the Revos. They are usually used only on the rear turnbuckles but I like to use them everywhere. You can recognize them by the small ring around the base of the ball end.