Attempting to waterproof a DB-01 Baldre

[Bigmuff]

After doing some inadvertant mudbogging with my Baldre, I was hearing an unpleasant squealing noise from the rear diff. Fearing I melted the diff with the Castle 4600 kv motor, I took the back end apart to see what I broke. The noise was coming from a bearing, fixed with a little oil, and the diff seemed to be ok, but the inside of the gearbox had a nice layer of grime in it. It was on the ball diff as well. Living in Seattle, these conditions are inevitable. It rains. A lot. So I'm wondering what can I do to help keep the mud out? Aside from avoiding the giant mud puddles which I really should have seen, I am considering putting a thin layer of vaseline or maybe Tamiya's molybdenum grease between the halves of the gearbox to keep schmutz out, but I also don't want grease getting all over the drivebelts. I know Tamiya makes some sort of transmission gasket for this chassis, but I don't have it. Anyone have any experience with what I'm trying to do?

Oh, and thanks to the forum for suggesting the 4600 kv motor. The car accelerates like a missle, but is still pretty controllable. And I haven't yet shredded the transmission.

Bigmuff

[WW-nut]

To protect the differentials it would be worth fitting the TRF501X diff seals (part no. 53970) - they fit on to the standard DB01 diffs.

http://demonpowerproducts.co.uk/product_in...roducts_id=2345

[Kevin_Mc]

"i hear it rains in Seattle"

[stu22]

Years ago I attempted to seal the gearbox on my Grasshopper. After building the Bruiser I got the bright idea of using the remaining white RTV for the transmission on the Grasshopper. You can still see the remnants the stuff to this day:

What I found out is water will get in the thing no matter what you do and all my attempts to seal it did was to made it harder for it to drain out. I can still remember taking the thing apart on the kitchen table in the mid-80's to replace a bevel gear and finding that the bottom of the thing was full of water because of what I did. Unless you can seal the thing up 100%, which I think will be next to impossible if you want to keep the thing maintainable, I wouldn't do it.

Have to admit the DB01 would be a little different since you have a top and bottom half for the diff housing so it won't drain out anyways, I guess you really don't have anything to loose, I just wouldn't waste my time making a mess of the thing.

[dimblum]

The belt/diff covers seal the DB-01 pretty good, and you wouldn't want to do anything to the car that will prevent you from removing the covers in the future.. My first thought would be to remove the covers, line the edges of the belt/diff covers with a thin layer of shoo goo (only the edges where the plastic meets) and both them back in place to make a watertight seal. It would have to be done carefully so that no shoo goo squeezed into the belt tunnel. If that stuff got on the belts, it could cause big problems..

Vaseline or moly grease could also be bad news if it works its way inside the covers. The wrong lubricants can weaken the belts and/or encourage them to slip - it can also cause problems for the diffs as well..

You would also need to seal the motor screw opening near the motor mount along the battery side of the chassis (the one used for the extra long allen key).

Finally there may be a very small opening under the chassis that is normally sealed by part#B5. Even with this part in place, there is still a seam that water can creep in through..

Hope this helps..

After doing some inadvertant mudbogging with my Baldre, I was hearing an unpleasant squealing noise from the rear diff. Fearing I melted the diff with the Castle 4600 kv motor, I took the back end apart to see what I broke. The noise was coming from a bearing, fixed with a little oil, and the diff seemed to be ok, but the inside of the gearbox had a nice layer of grime in it. It was on the ball diff as well. Living in Seattle, these conditions are inevitable. It rains. A lot. So I'm wondering what can I do to help keep the mud out? Aside from avoiding the giant mud puddles which I really should have seen, I am considering putting a thin layer of vaseline or maybe Tamiya's molybdenum grease between the halves of the gearbox to keep schmutz out, but I also don't want grease getting all over the drivebelts. I know Tamiya makes some sort of transmission gasket for this chassis, but I don't have it. Anyone have any experience with what I'm trying to do?

Oh, and thanks to the forum for suggesting the 4600 kv motor. The car accelerates like a missle, but is still pretty controllable. And I haven't yet shredded the transmission.

Bigmuff

[JeepnMike]

"After doing some inadvertant mudbogging with my Baldre" - "Living in Seattle, these conditions are inevitable. It rains. A lot"

Bigmuff

Hey! I have found the other Baldre owner in Seattle!! HAHA. There is a few indoor tracks, PM me if you need a lead. I should mention, none of which I have been too yet. I know where they are, just haven't been able to peel away from dad duties to get to them since getting back into the hobby.

[wildwillydriver]

Hi,

have you considered the "Lazy Go Waterproofing Agent", even if it's intended for electronics (and works!) i think can help you.

You can search for it in the rclazy site.

Bye

WWD