Clodbuster axle/grease question

[Vanspeed]

My awesome kong II truck's front axle has me a little worried. I was killing the battery today and had it up on stands and noticed both back wheels spinning the same, only one front wheel spinning. When I grabbed the wheel that was spinning the other started but as soon as you let go the one wheel stops. Should I be breaking open the gearbox for a look? 

Also, my neighbor assembled my axles and used what I thought was way too thick of a lube. Any suggestions?

[mongoose1983]

1 hour ago, Vanspeed said:

My awesome kong II truck's front axle has me a little worried. I was killing the battery today and had it up on stands and noticed both back wheels spinning the same, only one front wheel spinning. When I grabbed the wheel that was spinning the other started but as soon as you let go the one wheel stops. Should I be breaking open the gearbox for a look? 

Also, my neighbor assembled my axles and used what I thought was way too thick of a lube. Any suggestions?

Hi there Jeff. As far as I understand Tamiya differentials doesn't need too much grease. I have got some used cars to come with thick red grease that seemingly dry and get sticky clogging the vehicles as years go by. What you need is Tamiya brand ceramic grease and Molybdenum grease. The ceramic is the recommended stuff for plastic gears, while metal gears work best with Moly. Not expensive, worth every penny. Oh, and are you using new bearings on your Clod?

[Vanspeed]

Yes all new sealed bearings in both axles. Should I take them apart and take a look see?

[mongoose1983]

1 hour ago, Vanspeed said:

Yes all new sealed bearings in both axles. Should I take them apart and take a look see?

If they're new, I would not do that. But, what kind of grease did you see your pal was using on those diffs?

[Vanspeed]

Something clear, it barely came out of the tube he was using. Says he uses it in his nitro cars. It was very thick.

[TheMidnight Pumpkin]

It doesn't take very long to take an Clod axle apart if you suspect there's damage. I doubt the grease caused a failure. Clods have been known to have an assortment of minor problems depending on how, and where you drive them. In my part of the world, its typically sandy conditions that attract dirty in the axle tubes. It doesn't take long for sand to eat a Clod axle. Otherwise they are pretty strong and reliable. In the old days I routinely used to jump my Bullhead (when it was stock) off a 4 foot high table top jump. Clods can take a beating!  -lol

[Tamiyabigstuff]

I would take it apart, clean, it, check it & reassemble with fresh grease.

Quite possible there could be something in there that shouldn't be - small piece of loose plastic which could be jamming things up.

[Vanspeed]

I agree. With no weight on the axles all 4 tires should spin free, that is how the axle differential is designed. Taking them apart after work. 

[magnumb]

I put a light coating of Superlube. Safe for most plastics and good all around grease.