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Grabby clutch...

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6

68 EB

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Well this is my first post here so bare with me! I just picked up a 2.5 T-maxx...it is used but in like new condition with maybe 4-5 tanks of fuel trhough it. The previous owner hasn't adjusted anything and babied it. The clutch seems to be kind of grabby when it engages (when taking off slow) and was curious what to fix or adjust to stop it. BTW its about 3 years old and is from what I can tell the same as the new models.
Thanks
 
Have you pulled your clutch apart? Clutch springs/bells rust easily. If it sat for that long in humid conditions or got wet at all, it could be rusted and possibly the spring be broken.

Not a big deal either way. A new clutch is about $10 and you can clean the inside of the bell up with scotch bright or a wire wheel in a dremel.
 
If it has a black tranny case then it has the older style tranny.I beleive this had a different way to engage to protect the reverse gears hence the shuttering from a slow start. All you have to do to fix it is a quick tug with the trigger finger off the start :). Its fine its,its in the design.The grey tranny(new style) uses the opti drive to protect the reverse gears(yea ok) and engages more smoothly.
 
Oh yeah. I forgot about that. That thing bucks like a bronco until it gets moving either forward or reverse.

If you end up not using reverse much, or not wanting it, you can buy a FOC (forward only conversion) which eliminates reverse entirely. As a few side effects, it makes the trans stronger (the FOC gear is twice as wide as the one it replaces) and the engagement is smooth since it isn't using the second clutch in the trans anymore.
 
Yeap I have a T-Maxx and I thought something was wrong the way it was bucking around when trying to go at a slow rate. Everything I know about 1:1 cars was telling me that there was something wrong, but once I did some research I realized that the clutch was supposed to slip like that. I would check and see how it does when you get into the throttle more instead of pulling it real slow, then you can tell if there is really a problem.
 
68 EB said:
Well this is my first post here so bare with me! I just picked up a 2.5 T-maxx...it is used but in like new condition with maybe 4-5 tanks of fuel trhough it. The previous owner hasn't adjusted anything and babied it. The clutch seems to be kind of grabby when it engages (when taking off slow) and was curious what to fix or adjust to stop it. BTW its about 3 years old and is from what I can tell the same as the new models.
Thanks
Click to expand...


Mine does the same thing, completely normal for a 2.5 T-Maxx, my 3.3 doesn't do it but it is very far from it's stock form in almost every aspect. The only way to stop this is to remove reverse by using the kit. I'm sure someone can get you a link to the one-way conversion.
 
Well thats good to hear. I'm going to run it a while longer and see if I use the reverse at all...if not I'll convert it over. Thanks for all the info!
Are the stock steering servo's weak? Or is it the factory servo saver that makes it seem kind of sluggish?
 
My stock 2.5 t-maxx steers fine, but most people do admit they are sluggish. My 3.3 with hump pack and upgraded servo still doesn't want to turn the tires sitting completely still on pavement, but moving slightly forward it is fine. It has the pro-line 40 series big joe tires on it though.

I rarely use reverse, but I'm not trying to save weight so I keep mine. Feel free to look at my threads to see pics of my T-Maxx trucks.

Good luck though, in another thread it is said that the bucking will smooth out eventually and not be as noticable. Best thing to do is just squeeze into the throttle a little past engagement at first then slow up, I've gotten used to my 2.5 now and hardly ever catch it bucking unless I try to go slow from a dead stop, then it does.
 
marauder said:
My stock 2.5 t-maxx steers fine, but most people do admit they are sluggish. My 3.3 with hump pack and upgraded servo still doesn't want to turn the tires sitting completely still on pavement, but moving slightly forward it is fine.
Click to expand...

The stock servo-saver is a little weak IMO. If the spring was stronger it would have no problems.
 

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