Motor Fell Out Of My Hotshot

[Buckjaw]

I know it sounds pretty stupid! I was running my Hotshot around the house yesterday quite hard, just a great time with the dogs in chase. I hit a dirt berm, which sent the car up about 2 1/2 feet and out about 4 to 5, ending up on its roof. Flipped it back over to take off again when I noticed the engine trouble. It wasnt completely out of the gearbox, but enough that the set plates fell-out. So obviously the screws loosened up.

My question is, How do I guarantee they will not loosen up again, and how can I keep the set plates from falling out, if at all?

Who knows, maybe the older dog got out the phillips head for the ultimate sabotage on the car!

[Wrc action]

Moving beyond the "how careless" line perhaps some good old fashioned threadlock will do the job put a little bit on the screws before you refit and that should stop it working loose.

Regards

Ryck

[Buckjaw]

Moving beyond the "how careless" line perhaps some good old fashioned threadlock will do the job put a little bit on the screws before you refit and that should stop it working loose.

Regards

Ryck

I figured as much, but wasnt sure about not be able to remove the motor again, or stripping the screw heads! Thanks anyhow for the reply.

Chris

[Wrc action]

it will just need a good strong impluse the break the thread lock so make sure that you use nice un mangled screws and a snug fitting screwdriver and all will be well.

Worse case scenario just drill out the heads of the scews with a drill and your motor will fall out (again)

[dazpt]

or try using some hex headed screws you can get a bit more leverage with an allen driver, and did you set up a dirt track in your house or did you mean garden

[dready]

Tip of the day out of my bulging brain..

Threadlock the Screws in .

if you cant under them when you want to, Just gentley heat the screw head with a soldering iron. Works everytime.

Sold ;-)

[taliesin]

don't mean to sound trite, so please don't take this wrong, but:

its a good idea to do a post run inspection and clean up. i really do believe it prolongs the life of the car and keeps things tidy. i know screws come loose in the darndest places on my sand viper, so i give it a quick check after every run and tighten [or threadlock the bejesus out of ] any screws that need it.

depending on your driving style and the terrain, these little cars can take a real pounding, so it pays to keep an eye on the smaller bits like screws.

just don't go crazy with the threadlock, and avoid the red stuff at all costs. made that mistake once myself.

ps: have you checked to see if you have a little crack in the plastic housing somewhere? sometimes a hairline crack can cause problems like this, but it won't be obvious if you don't look for it.

[Black Hole Sun]

Same as others, apply threadlock.

BUT

Threadlock onto plastic = plastic breaks.

So first, put the set plates and pass screws through the gearbox. Then place the motor plate (the carton disc) on the other side : this will avoid set plates to move. And THEN apply the threadlock on the screw ends on the motor side. Then screw them into the motor.

Of course, it's not the easiest way, but you'll avoid threadlock goes onto the gearbox plastic

[lucasan]

Same as others, apply threadlock.

BUT

Threadlock onto plastic = plastic breaks.

So first, put the set plates and pass screws through the gearbox. Then place the motor plate (the carton disc) on the other side : this will avoid set plates to move. And THEN apply the threadlock on the screw ends on the motor side. Then screw them into the motor.

Of course, it's not the easiest way, but you'll avoid threadlock goes onto the gearbox plastic

Huh, well the last two posts raise 2 questions.

Black Hole Sun, Does plastic really break when exposed to threadlock? In my Hotshot instructions, it specifically calls for it on the screw that attaches the underguard and bumper to the body.

Taliesin, why avoid the red threadlock? I used it very minimally on some screws in my hotshot.

[taliesin]

Taliesin, why avoid the red threadlock? I used it very minimally on some screws in my hotshot.

Red threadlock can be wicked hard to unscrew! It can take an 800lb gorilla to unlock it if used too liberally. I've stripped screws and broken screw heads off in the past with the red stuff, and now I avoid it like the plague. Granted, I may have just used too much, but I now don't use it at all.

[94eg!]

Huh, well the last two posts raise 2 questions.

Black Hole Sun, Does plastic really break when exposed to threadlock? In my Hotshot instructions, it specifically calls for it on the screw that attaches the underguard and bumper to the body.

Taliesin, why avoid the red threadlock? I used it very minimally on some screws in my hotshot.

Red threadlock is meant to be permanent. It's very difficult to get undone. Blue is better for semi-permanent applications, and Tamiya brand threadlock is pretty much the only one that's safe for Plastic.

[pikachoo75]

Wow! thanks for all in this post!

My Dad got me RED threadlock from his work.im not ready to use it YET! i dont think i will as 94eg! mentions,it is for permanent applications!

Man alive...bullet dodged!

again a big thanks!

Its amazing the stuff you learn when communities share info.well done!

[Buckjaw]

I guess it wasnt such a stupid post after all. I do appreciate all the tips!

Im not new to threadlock, and Im certainly not an idiot, but sometimes you just cant see the forest for the tree's.

Thanks again to all that replied.

Chris