R/CRaven chassis.........

[chrisexv6]

Anyone purchase one of these lately?

Apparently there was a "bad batch" and some of them (including the one I just received, of course) have motor mount holes that are too large. So large that the motor mount screws actually go right thru the chassis!! RCR's solution was to include washers to put around the screws, but the motor mount "wings" themselves just barely straddle the holes, which leads me to believe one good bump or jump will snap the motor mount in half.

Anyway, mostly my question is if anyone got one lately that doesn't have this issue. And just for kicks, any advice? I keep hearing they are very good with customer service, but apparently this issue has been known by them for at least a month, and they continue to sell the product.

-Chris

 

[Maxx Trooper]

i have a R/C Raven chassis but i bought it back during the summer. has worked great for me, i love it. i also have R/C Raven black chassis braces and skids.

later

 

[chrisexv6]

I'm assuming you didnt have the engine mount issue, did you? Did you have to use washers on the underside of the chassis to screw the mount on?

-Chris

 

[Maxx Trooper]

nope, no problem here. u could try to use the Lunsaford Big Boy engine mounts, they are suppose to be bigger then other screws, and have washers and everything. maby those will fix ur problem.

later

 

[chrisexv6]

I assume you are talking about their Fat Boy engine mount screws?

Actually, I'm thinking thats only half the problem. I can easily remedy getting the screws to bite onto the bottom of the chassis, but the other issue is that the "legs" of the engine mount (where the screws go into after they come thru the chassis) end up mostly in the engine mount holes. If you look at a stocker, they end up straddling the holes because they are so small. The over-bored RCRaven holes are too large. So if I tighten down on them, they are under tension (if I do it very carefully, I can get the legs to barely straddle from the front of each hole to the rear). One good impact, I think, will snap them off like twigs.

To see what I mean, check out this pic:

http://www.chris-and-kathy.com:8081/images/tmaxx/rebuild/chassis5.jpg

If you put that short leg under tension, it is going to automatically want to break, I think.

-Chris

 

[Maxx Trooper]

ok, i see what the problem is. i can't believe R/C Raven didnt see that... must be they didnt check them too close.

later

 

[chrisexv6]

Well, from what I've gathered on another forum, 500 were built like this. They obviously knew about the issue, because mine came with those washers.

Going further back, someone bought one 6 weeks ago that had the same issue. Finally got in touch with RCR about a week ago, and was told there are no fixed ones because they still have 2 months worth of "bad run" to sell off. That means they have been TRYING to sell them off, even though there is obviously something wrong.

Oddly enough, all of the RCR chassis auctions are gone (there were a bunch just beginning this week).

If the included washers were really a fix, I wouldnt be saying a word. But looking at how it "fixes" the issue, I can see this 26.00 chassis (I guess you get what you pay for!!!) costing me about the same in motor mounts. I'm probably better off with my slightly tweaked stock chassis, just because spur gears are cheaper than motor mounts.

This also means that RCR possibly doesn't do their own machining, or else fixed parts would be (should be, at least) fabricated and shipped out.

All the while, the chassis is still advertised on their website.

I'm not trying to bad mouth them, but anyone that knowingly sells a "defective" (in quotes, because I'm sure someone would argue that its not, because of those included washers) product is not cool in my book, and doesn't really deserve any business, especially if they CONTINUE to sell a bad product. I mean, if I sold something like that on Ebay, Id just be counting the days until someone caught up with me.

Hopefully they will handle it well from the customer service end, but so far I've left a voice mail and 3 emails, but no response at all. Granted they might be busy, but at least acknowledge my email.

And even worse, I HAVE to depend on getting my $$$ back from them, because I would not sell this chassis to anyone.

-Chris

 

[Maxx Trooper]

thats sad that they will keep selling a product that isnt made right. they know its not right. they just dont want to have to keep these in storage or somethin. atleast u think they would advertise them like that and knock the price down if they are trying to sell them.

later

 

[bomber]

I guess RCR makes the poop ( I mean s#@!) list for being a bunch of slime balls. I bet they'd roll odometers back too. sneaky bastards!

- bomber

 

[Skyline Racer]

haha @ Bomber, Yeah Its like this.. Some companys and I just mean "Some" Just make the poop and throw it out... Measuring and last minute touches arent a issue if you know what I mean lol Later

 

[robmob]

Knowingly selling a defective product is just plain wrong. The half-assed washer fix they provide just ain't making it. I would think twice about ordering anything from them.

 

[chrisexv6]

UPDATE:

Just talked to RCRaven yesterday, here's the scoop:

The CNC program was 30-thousands off for lining up the motor mount holes. They ended up 30 thousandths too far forward, so in an attempt to fix it they took out an extra 30 thousandths towards the back. That leaves the larger-than-stock slot for the mount screw. Realizing the screw head would go right thru the chassis, they started including flat washers with the hardware. Unfortunately, this does not prevent the motor mount from sliding forward in an impact, because the front-black slop in the hole is still there.

They've developed 2 types of revised washers, and will be sending me both sets. To me they should like washers that will dig into the underside of the chassis, and have a slot the same shape as the STOCK motor mount slot. By digging into the chassis, they should stop the front to back movement, and only allow the mount screw to slide left and right. They told me to call them whether they work or not.

If they dont work (or I dont like how they worked), they are getting corrected chassis stock in within 2 weeks, and said they would send one out to me as soon as they could.

For my troubles, they are sending me a set of bumpers and skids.

Granted, I still disagree with selling a knowingly incorrect product, but they sounded truthful when they said they thought the washers would provide a good enough fix. If they really do come thru how they say they are going to, I have to give them hats off to their customer service.

-Chris

 

[Maxx Trooper]

wow, thats cool, a free set of bumpers and skids? thats sweet. u cuold start selling this stuff, and makin a buck. let us know how u make out on the whole thing.

later