Tweaked chassis?

[chrisexv6]

Wow, full of questions this week, you can tell its almost spring

I have the truck completely torn down, de-anodized the chassis and have been working on polishing it. In doing so, I noticed that if I put it on a flat surface (table, counter, etc), its not completely flat. There is a little "play" in it, almost like its warped (like you can push one edge down, and the opposite corner ends up off the flat surface).

Question being, is this a bad thing? I figure the chassis braces, bulks, and skids might straighten it all out, but just wanted to be sure.

After seeing this, I looked more over the chassis and it almost looks like the front bulkhead "tabs" might be bent upward a little. I'm not sure this is wrong, because it would be a large coincidence to bend both of them up the exact same amount, without making the metal around them look weird, and without snapping them altogether.

Id like to know if the chassis should be replaced, while everything is torn down (and before I waste more time polishing it ).

Thanks!!!
-Chris

 

[Maxxcrazy88]

The front bulkhead mounts should be Kicked (bent) up a little...

 

[SkyMaxx]

Maxxcrazy88, read the entire post before replying. He isn't talking about the kickup at the front. He is talking about the chassis plate, without any other parts attached, being warped. Yes, he mentions the kicked up tabs, but the bigger problem is the warped chassis plate.

chrisexv6, to answer your question...yes, this is a bad thing. The chassis braces, bulkheads, and skid plates might work towards keeping things flat, but a warped chassis plate is a chassis begging to screw up your spur gears by providing bad mesh. It might also mess with your steering by lifting one wheel slightly.

Note, Maxxcrazy is correct about the front tabs being kicked up. This is a designe characteristic that helps with handling.

I would recommend looking at a cost-effective replacement. Just my two cents...

 

[chrisexv6]

Yeah, I checked out new chassis replacements briefly on Ebay last night.

But I did notice that I can flatten the chassis without very much effort...........it isnt off by a lot, and it was really easy to flex back into place.

Damn project costing me more $$$ maybe Ill have to get a race chassis now.

-Chris

 

[Çh®i§tiªñ]

I bent my first TMaxx chassis back to shape without much problem too.

But it wasn't long and I purchased one for the .21 and bigger conversion anyhow.

Guess it depends on what you want to do.

 

[chrisexv6]

Ebay good

Picked up an RC-Raven jet-grey chassis for 26.00+shipping. Heard good things about it, and its actually a tad lighter than stock, while still being thicker and heavier duty.

Not bad considering even a stock chassis is going for 15.00+shipping.

-Chris

 

[Maxxcrazy88]

uhh yeah sorry about that I have no Idea what I was thinking.. I Read the entire thread but Only Replied to that part, and I couldn't tell you why... any way....
What Sky Said lol..

 

[bomber]

A bent chassis is pretty obvious, right? I never would think to check otherwise.

- bomber

 

[chrisexv6]

It wasn't a question of obvious, I could tell right away. But if I "flattened" the chassis in one corner, the opposite corner wasn't even 1/16" off the surface, so its not like it was REALLY bad, or at least thats what I thought anyway.

Either way, the issue is remedied. I figured 32.00 for a new chassis will save me frustration in the long run, if it turned out to be an issue (I'm aiming to only have to replace little parts this season oops, I just jinxed it).

-Chris

 

[olds97_lss]

I bent the front tabs on mine a couple weeks ago. bomber saw it happen, very bad wreck.

I just banged the tabs a couple times with a hammer. Now it's all better... at least better enough for this basher.