SRB re-re long term durability?

[markbt73]

I recently got a Buggy Champ, when Tower Hobbies had the gold edition on fire sale. I had intended to use it as a showpiece/shelf queen, but as it turns out, I love driving it. I assumed it would be slow, sloppy, and hard to maneuver, but it actually goes really well on my rough back yard. The spool axle keeps it from getting stuck, and the suspension soaks up most of the holes and ruts the dogs have dug.

I have slapped a quick coat of purple paint over the ugly gold, and it has entered semi-regular rotation in after-work bashing duties. I'm going to keep it stock, with just the 540 for power, which is plenty for me. I might look into buying or making a new chassis plate so I can eliminate the radio box, because things get HOT in there. But aside from that, I just want to put some miles on it.

So my question, for the SRB experts out there, is how well will it hold up in the long run? After only three runs, one rear shock mount is loose on the rollbar, and I've already noticed some extra slop in the front end that wasn't there before. Is this "breaking in," or will it get gradually sloppier? I've seen these things brought back to life from surprisingly bad condition, so I know the basic core must hold up all right. What should I reinforce? What will I have to rebuild at the end of the summer?

Thanks in advance to any advice. Oh, and here's a photo of the "Purple Champ," since I know how dull threads with no photos can get:

[Champ85]

The set screws that hold the front arms to their pivot shafts were the one thing that caused me grief on my Super Champ (still a close enough design to the new BC and SC for comparison). Even with Tamiya thread lock they'd loosen over time, and I'd end up stripping the hex or the threads trying to keep them tight. Had to get a set of replacement arms at one point. Also, the plastic ball cups in the front would wear out over time, allowing the balls to pop out. Back then I used to grease the balls in the cups, so they collected dirt that acted like sandpaper and wore things down. If I were to build it today, I'd never have greased them. The new cups probably won't have that trouble due to the new design and grease-free assembly. The plastic zip ties would always break in the front and rear. I ended up using some old transformer wire as a substitute and it lasted a lot longer. Also, the oil would leak out of the shocks, of course, but that was easy to replace once in a while. Other than that, I don't think too much else would go wrong. Some screws would come loose in the rear, where the arms pivot. Normal stuff, but since it's mostly metal, it can take lots of abuse. Just keep the gears and motor bushings greased/oiled and it will last a very, very long time. Finally, get a steel pinion if you aren't already using one.

[taliesin]

I'm wondering the exact same thing for mine which will be built as a light runner.

From experience with other models, misc. screws and nuts are always useful to have as spares, but not necessarily model specific. Seems like tires, wheels and bodies are the most common replacement needs, but....

Just wondering if a spare gear set, or perhaps uprights, kingpins, a-arms, etc. might be a good investment for the future? Seems like the plastic radio boxes were a nightmare to source but not having grown up with one of these I don't know if it was a breakage item or just something that got lost over the years???

Let's hear from some of you SRB gurus who have experience with these creatures.

EDIT: Champ85, looks like you beat me to the post by a few seconds, so thanks for your input!!

[TamiyaDan]

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[steve997]

looks great in purple!

[markbt73]

Thank you, gentlemen. The car came with a steel pinion, strangely (at least for the low ratio; the high ratio pinion is aluminum), and I think all the shafts on the re-re already have a flat spot on them. I'll stop worrying about breaking it; from the way you describe it it kind of sounds like my old Toyota truck: just don't abuse it and it should last indefinitely. Besides, I have my Holiday Buggy for more "spirited" driving, if the mood takes me.

I think I will buy or make a stiffer chassis for it. It's awfully bendy at the front. I think a better looking front bumper might be in order as well.

looks great in purple!

Thanks; I thought so too.

[Team Rawlings]

Hi Mark,

I can recomend the radshape chassie with a kamtec box have been running this set up for a while and find it works well.