TL01B / Servo issue

[Crispy5449]

I have a small issue with my Baja Champ, in that every time I take it out, within 2-3 minutes I lose all steering, as the screw that goes through the steering arms and into the servo comes out.  This then means I have to practically strip the car back to scratch in order to fix it due to the location of the screw.

Is this a common problem on the TL01B's?  I wouldn't say i'm particularly aggressive with it (not many jumps, it usually happens due to bump steer on gravel carparks etc).

 What would be the best way to resolve it?

 I was thinking either a) putting a bit of screw lock stuff on using a bigger screw or c) getting a new or different servo

 Crispy

 

[Wrc action]

Right sounds like a strip thread from overtightening the screw at some time.

Try using a bit of thread lock as that is often the best way. Does your screw feel lose in the servo when u screw it in? if it does then u can try a larger screw or simply get another servo - I used an acoms AS-16 in my old bashing TL01B. and it perfromed very well for £4 from ebay.

Best regards Ryck

 

[Guest joelvardy]

I can't believe this:

I have had this problem on boxing day

My mate had this problem about 2 weeks ago

Someone else on the forum said about it

And now you

All in about 1 1/2 months

I think in a lot of cased it is that people put in the wrong screw or over tighten it!

Joel

All I can suggest is getting a new servo and using some thread lock!

[Guest joelvardy]

WRC Action, You beat me to it

[steviedee]

i have had this happen a few times, the easiest remedies are, use lots of thread lock, or drill a hole thorugh the bottom of the chassis where the screw is then if it does happen again  it aint a full strip down.

I usually remove the servo, by removing it with the servo mounts and then unscreww steering arms from front hubs and then reattach it all,

 Hope this helps

steve

[theshopkeeper]

Acoms servo by any chance?

It's a mistake in the manual - it says to use a 10x3 screw - forget that, and use a 12mmx3 or even a 14mmx3 and it'll be fine.

Also, no need to strip the car to get the servo out - undo the two links into the steering swivels and the two screws holding the servo in, then lift it out of the top of the chassis. Wiggle the arms back in and push it down to refit.

[necronomicon]

Good advice from the shopkeeper, no need for a full strip down as he says. Personally I would go for the slightly longer screws.

[Monster34]

Hi new boy here, but I have a problem in a similar vein. I've just built a Baja Champ for my son and have now wrecked 2 Acoms servos just by clipping a kerb. Should I use servos with metal gears, or are there other solutions?

[theshopkeeper]

Sounds like you've glued the servo saver.  If you glue it, it won't work and you wreck the servos.

[Monster34]

Do you mean screwed it too tightly together? Sorry for the ignorance but which bit is the servo saver?[:S]

[theshopkeeper]

The white bit fitted to the servo.  If you remove the screw it should come apart into 4 pieces, if not it's been glued and wont do anything at all.  You need a 12mm screw as discussed further up this thread.

[Monster34]

Ah, it all comes clear now! I don't actually have a servo saver, hence the my lack of servo(s). All I had were the steering arms screwed to the servo head as per instructions.

 Can you recommend a decent saver so I can make my son happy again.

 Thanks

[jozza]

For my Baja Champ (and most of my other cars) I use a Trickbits 1/10th servo saver (costs abouyt £3) and I also use a 3mm machine screw rather than the self tapper suggested in the Tamiya manual. The machine screw has a finer thread, so it stays pot and doesn't strip the servo screw hole.

If you can't get hold of the Trickbits part, then any other manufacturer's servo saver should work, the Tamiya one will also work fine if you have the parts, but I don't like the way that the middle bit can pop out and get lost if you kerb the car.

[theshopkeeper]

It's a screw issue mainly though - the manuals all used to say 12mm screw but for some reason Tamiya switched to advising a 10mm screw (at least on the Acoms servo).  Acoms then champhered the top of the servo so that you lose 1mm of threadability - result, the **** thing won't stay in.

Using a 12mm screw on a TL01 type design usually cures it, but the hole on these servos is really deep - I have gone up to 18mm without hitting the base of the hole and it still works perfectly.

[theshopkeeper]

Monster34: The servo saver's in the kit, it's the bit on the B parts which looks like a horseshoe, you sandwich it between a disk that goes on the servo and a head that the arms attach to.

[necronomicon]

I cant see how hes got the steering arms attached if the servo saver is not there?

[Monster34]

Thanks for all the info. I do have the horseshoe bit attached, but it obviously didn't work as I now have 2 busted servos. I'll try the other type of servo saver, and the longer screw as I had that problem as well.

 Thanks all,

Gavin