TB03 Gear Diff - Informational Post

[JeepnMike]

I thought I might throw a post on the forum to save folks searching here a headache in the future.

With the motor I am running, I don't think the stock plastic ball diff halves could handle it and I cooked a couple of them. I think getting the aluminum diff halves with ceramic bearings greased well would have likely been fine, but I want to try something different hoping for more strength so I am going to try the gear diff for the rear (spool front) of my TB03.

There is currently only one manufacturer (Thanks Paul!) for TB03 Gear Diffs:

http://www.spec-r.com/default/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=45_46&products_id=141

Most reviews lean towards the positive side with these if built correctly so we will see how it goes. The main reasoning for posting this here is because I searched the end of the internet to get info about these, and only in one tiny post found on RCTech did it mention you will need these drive shaft blades /shoes/ thingamabobs:

http://www.spec-r.com/default/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=39_41_42&products_id=135

These go around the dog-bones and into the differential joints to make them fit correctly and prevent wear (alternately, you can use Tamiya part # 53890). Nowhere in the directions does it say you need these and I double checked with the manufacturer and you do indeed need them or your driveshafts will eat your outdrives alive.

I look forward to running this and am glad I did the research before I ordered! I am totally impatient and having put something together and finding I needed another part I didn't know about (or ran it and killed it) would have driven me nuts. Hopefully this posts finds use to someone here eventually.

Mike

[94eg!]

Let us know how they go after you get it running. Those blades work great on ball diffs in the TRF touring cars. Eliminates all the slop in drivetrain and diff action

[JeepnMike]

Another note for this thread and another lesson learned trying to get a gear diff in the rear of a TB03... You need 44mm axle / drive / CV / Swing shafts for this gear differential. The stock dogbones in a TB03 are 46mm, 2mm too long and they bind. So... Another order to TQ Racing to get shorter CV shafts for my gear diff.

I am still amazed my thorough web searches didn't find this one. Still more amazed nothing in the directions says you need (my list so far): dogbone blades, shorter driveshafts. It isn't a big deal, but when you build something and have to stop what you are doing repeatedly finding out you need yet another part, it is just annoying and totally avoidable. I really hope this is all worth it.. LOL.

[JeepnMike]

Another note.. Spec-R sells SPR010-G2 replacement internal / spider gears listed as being for Xray replacement parts and no mention of this model. It DOES fit the TB03 for replacement gears should you need them and don't wish to buy a complete new gear diff.

Again, just adding to this thread in the event someone else is in my shoes trying to upgrade a TB03 to save you headaches.