First major issue

[TwinSignals]

Hi all,

I recently bought my son his first proper (depends on your level I suppose) RC car in the RA MT10, he'd been playing around with some generic 1/16th models for a few years and showed some interest in keeping them nice and maintaining, so shelling out £350 for an xmas present felt like a decent step forward.

He's loved it, but this weekend, it started making a high pitch sound on acceleration, and upon inspection, no drive to the front wheels, the backs engage and spin opposite when turning. The MT10 should have drive on all 4 wheels right? I'm guessing the high pitch is something spinning while not engaged?

Thought it would be more than a month before we had to take this apart. Where would you guys direct a noob to troubleshooting this, is this a dif problem, driveshaft? Any help greatfully recieved!

 

[WickedFog]

I would start at the motor and inspect the pinion and spur, and work your way to the diffs. What happens if you hold one if the front tires and rotate the other? Do the same in the rear, looking for the noise.

 

[TwinSignals]

Took some vids, but don’t think you can upload on here! Back wheels go opposite directions when spun with hand, both spin up on throttle. Front wheels spin in same direction when spun with hand, no movement on throttle!

 

[DavidB1126]

Took some vids, but don’t think you can upload on here!

If you have a YouTube account you can post it there and copy/paste the link here on RCT.

 

[TwinSignals]

What a great shout!

I’ve removed motor, nothing looks untoward, main drive moves when wheels turned, it’s like the link from drive to the front is broken! Drive shaft or diff?

 

[Chubaka]

Looks normal to me. The reverse wheeling is due to an open diff. Full size cars are the same.

 

[WickedFog]

It is either the driveshaft or front diff I bet.

 

[TwinSignals]

So front wheels don’t drive, I thought this was a 4WD. I get the reverse wheeling is expected, but it’s the lack of any drive on the front, is this expected on the MT10?

I’m a real noob as stated, enjoying the journey though!

 

[WickedFog]

That is a 4wd.

 

[Chubaka]

That is a 4wd.

I thought it was a 2wd. Disregard my comment.

 

[TwinSignals]

Front seems to drive something, does this suggest snapped drive shaft do you think? My next port of call. I thought these were pretty tough, how do you snap a drive shaft?

 

[WickedFog]

Front seems to drive something, does this suggest snapped drive shaft do you think? My next port of call. I thought these were pretty tough, how do you snap a drive shaft?

Pull the diff and check the pinion underneath. Then remove the ring gear from the diff housing and have a look inside. I see some slipping from the diff to the diff cup driving the spindle. Maybe you just sheared the pin on the bevel gear under the spider gears. Or maybe the bevel/spider gears inside are toast.

 

[TwinSignals]

Thanks for stick with me here guys, so I think I’ve found the moment of disconnect!

The shaft spins up fine but doesn’t turn the “collar?”, if I spin the wheel the collar spins? Is there a pin missing, looks like a slotted collar?

 

[TwinSignals]

Will a new one of these solve it? I’m guessing if they are dog bone then the whole thing needs replacing?

 

[WickedFog]

Yup. That pin on the end of the driveshaft probably sheared off.

And no worries man. That's what we're all here for, and you found the problem yourself.

You have a manual for the truck? If so, does it have exploded views? If not, you can find them on the internet withva simple google search. They'll be helpful in reassembly and future diagnosing of any other problems you face down the road.

 

[TwinSignals]

Should this be my first upgrade to the car, or shall I just replace with stock?

 

[TwinSignals]

Well this has kept me out of trouble all evening at the very least

 

[WickedFog]

I am not familiar with that kit, so I don't know what's available. But if I had to guess what broke it would be maybe you were heavy on the power during a front end landing? That will destroy about anything. So maybe try another stock one, but if you find an upgraded one, go for it. Just stay away from any Chinese branded stuff. Look around Amain. Most of their hopup stuff us decent quality. Yeah Racing is not decent quality for example.

 

[TwinSignals]

Thanks for your help - just ordered a stock one locally…until the next time

 

[Doom!]

Glad you got it squared away.