Optima Mid steering update/upgrade

[CertifiedMike]

As many of you know, I have an OG Kyosho Optima Mid that I have been building, modding and restoring in hopes of racing on an indoor carpet track.
The car is an original, not a re-release... YES IT MATTERS!!!
Lots of parts LOOK similar... the fitment is a different story though!!!

Theres lots of misinformation and ppl who look at pictures and THINK they know...
I bought it all, I measured, I took pics and I'm sharing it here!

As the title states, Optima Mid update/upgrade steering is what I'm showing today.

Optima Mid stock steering blocks are aluminum. They are tough but heavy and don't actually hold the bearings inside them tightly. The new CVAs I installed were flopping around badly.
I attempted to shim the bearings with paper to hold the bearings in place but it was a PITA and didn't work well.
Even if I welded the bearings into place, the stock steering blocks also don't work great.
theres a lot of steering lost becuse of the design.
I don't hate the stock parts, I just know there is a better solution. The stock hubs got me thru years of hard racing too!
Enter XRAY 302202 Aluminum Steering Blocks with Graphite Extension Plates. Ooooooh LUXURY!!!!

Shout out to 997 RC Raceway for having these to me 3 days after I ordered them!!! Thanks guys!!!

So, the XRAY luxury... I am VERY impressed with the quality, finish, fit and feel of these parts!
The steel parts even sealed separate from the rest with anti rust packing.

I was going to wait for another order to land before I started this but.... I mean, I ALREADY waited for THIS order, right???

I had the block assembled in no time.

These hubs use little plastic bushing sleeves that go around the bearings so they can't flop around!
The bearings are 9mm instead of 10mm. A bit of weight savings if nothing else.

This pic is from 997 website. This is how mine came too. Perfect!

I am so excited about these hubs! The slop in my steering was driving me nuts! Soooooo.... I started to rip on my Mid and get it apart so I can see these parts side by side aaaaand....

Above is the spiffy new block...

Above is the spiffy re-release Optima Mid block. OT211b.

Above is my OG steering block...

It doesn't fit.

Sort of...


I bought the relelease c-hubs and OT212 King Pin Flange Pipe because I thought I was going to need them during the initial restore but the king pins were all fine.
The new flanges won't fit into the old C-hub design. They are too big.
Back in the bag they went... til today.

At first I didn't like the new flange pipe design but I messed sround with it for a few and...

It turns out, the flange has just enough slack to snug get the C-hub snug up on the steering block so nice!!!
No play, just turn!
Since the new and old C-hubs both fit the control arm, the steering block to c-hub fit is done!

So here's a side note....
If you want to fit your old Optima Mid with re-re c-hubs and blocks it CAN be done!

It needs shims but this is the OG steering block in the re-re C-hub using re-re flange pipes. Gotta use the re-re flange pipes or Yeah Racing makes brass that I'd like to try.
The OG king pins will flop all over the place in the re-re c-hubs.

A little Koswork CVA and +2mm hex.
Everything went together nice once I figured out what to put together!!!

WAY more steering, WAY less slop!!! Its much tighter.

 

[DavidB1126]

Ooooooh LUXURY!!!!

Told Ya
We both still waiting for them to sell new hairspray, body wash and shampoo's lol. Maybe even some handsanatizer!

Shout out to 997 RC Raceway for having these to me 3 days after I ordered them!!! Thanks guys!!!

Yep even though I haven't ordered anything from them yet, they are very fast and quick. Great 10/10 shop and track facility too.

 

[CertifiedMike]

Told Ya
We both still waiting for them to sell new hairspray, body wash and shampoo's lol. Maybe even some handsanatizer!

Yep even though I haven't ordered anything from them yet, they are very fast and quick. Great 10/10 shop and track facility too.

Amain had these parts too.
We watch tracks die here all the time. Even if I never race there, I feel good supporting a track.
Thats why I bought from 997.
That and because you posted about them and said they're ok.

I ate some yummy luxury ice cream while I wrote this post.

 

[OnwardGuinevere]

10/10 on those steering upgrades. The steer hubs really look nice! Excited to see the Mid build continue!

 

[CertifiedMike]

Thank you! I need to update my build thread too.
I am THRILLED with how this came together!!!

 

[Littlemotor]

Very nice work sir!!! Tremendous difference aesthetically, but most importantly-it’s functionality is even better..

I hope you hold your pinky finger out as you enjoy your tasty beverage of choice now sir!

 

[CertifiedMike]

Moe, Larry... CHEESE!!!

 

[Tunedfrog]

Very cool Mike.

 

[ahr43]

Nice walk-through on the upgrade, Mike. FYI, in case you are unaware. At one time there was a grade 'Green' Loctite on the market specifically for loose fitting bearings. Don't know if it's still readily available. -AC

 

[CertifiedMike]

Very cool Mike.

Thank you sir!

Nice walk-through on the upgrade, Mike. FYI, in case you are unaware. At one time there was a grade 'Green' Loctite on the market specifically for loose fitting bearings. Don't know if it's still readily available. -AC

Thank you!!! Yes. I had considered using "grey" rtr that sort of never really sets up entirely.
It could have held the bearings in also I think.
I still had a LOT of steering to gain back from the stock arm geometry. "Reshaping" with some fine Dremel work may not have compromised their strength. Its a common modification.
I don't think I could get this much steering out of the stock blocks but since I have a beautiful template to work with now, I may very well try to reshape them!

There are also plastic inserts availible. These are the same idea I think. I did not buy these to try for fit however.
https://www.amainhobbies.com/team-a...-aluminum-rear-hub-inserts-2-asc81078/p479547

 

[WickedFog]

Looking good Mike. Keep it coming!

 

[CertifiedMike]

Thank you! Its the fist post I've done like this in a very long time now!
I was a bit worried that I'd botch it. Your posts and @Littlemotor @Chubaka and @Warby and ten other ppls vintage, ressurection and "saved!" along with @OnwardGuinevere @Tunedfrog all doing custom stuff... I had plenty of good templates to work with.
I hope to do some more soon!

 

[CertifiedMike]

An update:
The Koswork 63.5mm CVAs fit fine in the rear and they are fantastic.
In the front, they are too long and suspension binds with this mod.
I replaced them with a set of Kyosho OTW125B Universal swing shafts.
They come with a spacer that I did need to use between the bearing and 12mm hex.
Otherwise, the new uni's fit as expected.
The binding is gone completely, 100% suspension travel restored.
At full turn, rotation is perfect. The univerals operate perfectly!
The uni's feel a bit heavier than the Koswork CV's. Otherwise, I'm very happy with fit, finish, and function. The quality feels good, not cheap feeling.
These swing shafts are pretty fantastic actually!!!