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Servo saver problems....

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Adam Smith

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My truck has become increasingly difficult to turn. After checking a few other things I have come to the conclusion that the servo saver is worn out. Its a 4908 that has the two pieces that fit together in a "V". Well the "V" looks more like a "U". Even with the truck off the ground the two pieces ride over each other quite a bit and the wheels don't turn hardly at all. I ordered a new 4945(servo saver set up) and hope that will cure it. If not, then I may upgrade the 2070 servo itself to a BlueBird to get a bit more turning power. Anyone else have to replace the servo saver and is this just a consumable part on these trucks?? Thanks

Adam:)
 
I've never owned that rig so i can't comment ont he servo saver setup. but i have owned a bluebird servo, and i will enver have one again. i fried 3 rx's before i figured out the servo was going crazy. I've heard they are good for planes but just can't handle the vibration of ground vehicles.
 
Wow, well thats very interesting about the Blue Bird. I know they have alot more turning torque (195oz) compared to the 2070's 125oz. I like my big tires but sometimes i think they caused this issue. Anything with more weight and resistance is going to cause more stress on the drivetrain and steering components. Thanks for the info on the BBird.
 
get a tower pro 995.. 208oz at 6v and i picked up one for 13 bux shipped.
 
i had problems with my servo saver and it made me so mad that I superglued it together! bad rookie move DONT DO IT! servo gears are only 4 bucks but it tears them out every time I rip it! dumb move on my part:(:(:(
 
Got the new servo saver and it looks just like the one thats in it, so the one thats in it isn't worn. I am thinking of putting in the black spring for th EMAXX rather than the chrome one?? I figure it will either turn the tires and tear up the servo gears which will equal new servo or it won't turn which will equal a new servo...lol. Still not sure of the 2070 is adequate. Anyone else running a big tires and have steering issues??
 
I'm running the Losi 1/8 monster truck tires on my t-maxx using the 2075 servo and don't seem to have any problems. I think the 2075(blue waterproof) is a little more powerful though(168oz?).
 
Does the 4908 have the spring based SS or the servo based SS? If the servo based one, then you could get the Proline Maxx Steering mod.
 
I'm running the Losi 1/8 monster truck tires on my t-maxx using the 2075 servo and don't seem to have any problems. I think the 2075(blue waterproof) is a little more powerful though(168oz?).

Both servos have the same output. The only difference is that the 2075 is water proof.
 
Traxxas 2075 specs from tower -
Length: 55mm (2.17")
Width: 20mm (0.79")
Height: 42.3mm (1.67")
Torque: 125 oz-in
Speed: 0.16 sec @ 60°

I'd be inclined to look at your pillow balls and cups to make sure you don't have excessive binding going on. Take the servo horn off the servo and see how freely your linkage is moving. There should be no or very little bind.

You may also want to look at the bushings/bearings on your pivot posts. If traxxas is using bushings, find bearings that will fit instead. It will make it move much better when under pressure.


For any MT, I wouldn't run less that 140oz servo. 125oz is good for a 1/10 stadium like the HPI MT2 or jato.

Drop a bit more dough and get a stronger metal geared servo. The JR 650M is a pretty reasonably priced servo and has pretty good specs. The JR Sport 126MG has the same specs, but is made a bit more "cheaply" and is cheaper.

I have a towerpro 995 in my jato for steering. Plenty of power and speed, cheap but has pretty bad centering and overshoots when you go full right or left. For the money though, I can't complain.

Towerpro MG995:
15kg/cm @ 6V (208.3 oz/in)
.13 sec for 60 degrees at 6V
 
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Thanks for the inputs guys, I'll check out the things mentioned. Hopefully I can find the issue.

Does the 4908 have the spring based SS or the servo based SS? If the servo based one, then you could get the Proline Maxx Steering mod.

Its a spring based servo saver I believe.
 
I've noticed on the bigger mt's that the servo based servo saver just doesn't seem to cut it. Just enough slop to hinder centering.
 
Well here is the update. I used the exact same servo saver and put the black spring with the kit in it instead of the silver one. The black is supposed to be stiffer I guess? If it is, its not much. Anyway, the truck is turning good now, ran two tanks thru it and only problems were the driver turning too sharp!! Thanks for the advice guys. I am sure I will need some more of it later. :)

Adam
 
My truck has become increasingly difficult to turn. After checking a few other things I have come to the conclusion that the servo saver is worn out. Its a 4908 that has the two pieces that fit together in a "V". Well the "V" looks more like a "U". Even with the truck off the ground the two pieces ride over each other quite a bit and the wheels don't turn hardly at all. I ordered a new 4945(servo saver set up) and hope that will cure it. If not, then I may upgrade the 2070 servo itself to a BlueBird to get a bit more turning power. Anyone else have to replace the servo saver and is this just a consumable part on these trucks?? Thanks

Adam:)

make sure your pivot ball caps aren't to tight or it won't be able to turn,try lossening a bit
 
The Savage has a similar U-shaped interlock servo saver in the steering linkage, but it's adjustable by turning in a threaded ring to add more tension to the spring. Same basic setup as threaded shocks. Doesn't yours have a similar adjustment?
 
Rolex,
If it does, i don't know about it..lol. I have heard that that spring just wears out. The original owner never changed it he said. I don't really know. I checked all the pivot points and they all are free and easily moved. The servo itself has no bind, so for now I will just run this black spring and see how it works. So far so good.
 
I put on the small dynamite street tires that I bought from TacRacing on here and its totally a server issue. The little tires turn lock to lock easily. The bigger ones, still struggle a bit.
 
Are you sure your servo is'nt toast, I've had a 2018 T/B servo from Traxxas burn out on me, and a buddy of mine has had several Traxxas servos do the same. In my case the servo didnt stop working completely it just slowed way down, and would some times be fine and then act up again. So I personally think your servo has had about enough.
 
Are you sure your servo is'nt toast, I've had a 2018 T/B servo from Traxxas burn out on me, and a buddy of mine has had several Traxxas servos do the same. In my case the servo didnt stop working completely it just slowed way down, and would some times be fine and then act up again. So I personally think your servo has had about enough.

That very well could be. The symtoms you describe sound a lot like what mine has been doing. I bought the truck used and its previous owner took care of it well, but did run a lot of fuel thru it in the year he owned it. Enough to wear out the stock 3.3. I guess I just need to figure out which servo upgrade to get now?
 
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