Hi All. Although I've been a member here for a little while, I think (as far as i can remember) that this is my first post for help from anyone out there that may know, or have had a Terra Crusher (43501/TGM-02).
I've had this truck for years...bought it back in 2003/2004 New from a LHS. It has been a great truck for the first year or so that I had it. I now have two Terra Crushers, both of which I am trying to restore and get running again, so i can go out and have fun like I do with my Ofna/Hobao Hyper ST Pro Kit w/ LRP Z28R engine.
1 Terra Crusher has been fully restored to stock (just like out of the box w/reverse - some misc parts). The other Terra Crusher was modified for BB engine, FOC etc which ran great for a while, but then seems to have had the same transmission problems as the stock TC I have. They both now exhibit the same behaviour, which i think is a transmission issue.
I have 'rebuilt' the transmission, all gears are good, clutches/shoes new,trans main shaft and two speed clutches new and everything seems to be put back together properly...shims...everything. When I turn the wheels by hand, the spur spins, trans inards spin, brakes spin and drive shafts spin (therefore the trans seems to be ok when rotational force is at a min).
With wheels supsended (not on ground) and engine is running (seems to run fine), the wheels rotate forward at idle and when giving some throttle. when throttling up, seems the spur, brakes and drive shafts spin faster...Good News, right? NOT!
When I put the truck on the ground and give it throttle, it barely moves!! Give it throttle to speed up the engine and rotation of trans...but it doesn't move. Seems to me that something in the tranny keeps slipping, and that the weight of the truck while on the ground is enough to stop the truck from moving like it used to. When I lift truck up to suspend the wheels, they start spinning again...I DONT GET IT. WHAT AM I MISSING HERE? All the parts in transmission are new.
Is there anything I can do to get these beasts moving again? I've read some posts on the internet about roughing up the inside of the tranny clutch bells on forward clutch (main shaft), as well as adding small aluminium pieces under stock aluminium tabs in the fwd clutchbell and two speed shoes...Does this make sense? If anyone can help, or advise, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm at wits end w/ these trucks. as much as i love them, i may have to sell them and get an HPI product (more reliability and support)
I dont want to sell them, as i am 'attached to them' lol. I may write this same mail to Tamiya support to see if their tech staff may be able to advise...THANKS EVERYONE FOR READING THIS POST AND HELPING ME IF POSSIBLE, any and all advise is appreciated.. I'm praying for time and patience , and hopefully will get to bash these beasts once again...soon. lol.
AnDrew