Xeostar 815 Posted August 16, 2021 Looks fab 😍stealth matt black and super quick 😘👌 How's everybody getting on with the new batch of brackets? A few have reached the USA already which is good to hear, although postal times are notoriously variable. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
87lc2 2666 Posted August 16, 2021 Received the 2 sets I ordered last week, super fast shippnig from all the way across the pond. Thanks again! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
middleagedgrup 218 Posted August 24, 2021 It's busy here in the middleaged household, so busy in fact that I've only just found time to get the brace installed. Everything slipped together smoothly and without incident - just had to take my time lining up the universal shafts when reinserting them into the gearbox once the brace was installed. Obligatory pics below, including a gratuitous one of the completed Mud Blaster...just because! Thanks again to @Xeostar! Top quality item. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Problemchild 2149 Posted August 24, 2021 Aw man great job!! and got to love a mud blaster JJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xeostar 815 Posted August 24, 2021 Yeah that mud blaster looks so nice thanks foe the pics. Great to see the braces and hear they arrived ok too. I think I'm going to have to get a MB or Blackfoot kit and a brat body to get one made now.. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rider400 353 Posted August 25, 2021 Just sent you down a PM Xeostar 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frankster 2033 Posted September 12, 2021 Arrived and installed on Monster Beetle. One of the bolts was a tight friction fit with the brace. I can see why the braces is different for the MB due to the rear bumper. Great job xeostar! some installed photos 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frankster 2033 Posted September 12, 2021 Prob wrong Forum but looking for advice. I wanted metallic red Beetle but picked TS-95 pure metallic red. Color is nice but unfortunately it came out a little too deep for what I am trying to achieve. Will prob repaint to proper Italian Red TS-8 or Metallic Red TS-18. Question is can I just paint over the fresh paint or do I need to wash and add a coat of primer again? any suggestions? Thanks in advance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Problemchild 2149 Posted September 12, 2021 Yeah defo should be ok - just clean again if it’s been a while since painting could try some of the core-rc paints or Just a paint from halfords personally I like it 👍🏻 JJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted September 12, 2021 That colour looks hot , I would keep it and clear coat it . That would pop in the sun !! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikko85 3454 Posted September 12, 2021 yep, that's a cool colour. If you are happy with the quality of the finish, I'd keep it as is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sturge 13 Posted November 7, 2021 Hi all Ordered 5 sets of these from Pete. They arrived super quick, and Pete kept me informed as to how many sets he had made and when he posted them. They are a great fix and simple to fit, I’m really pleased I have this fitted on my ORV chassis cars, I can now run them without the dreaded clicking noise coming from the gearbox. Here are some pics of the brackets fitted to my various ORV cars, and note the space for the rear number on the Monster Beetle and Blackfoot ( although I left the bumpers off so you can see the brackets and how the bumper would still fit ) Thanks Pete, I’m very pleased with the results Cheers Paul 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted November 7, 2021 Nice collection Paul , who doesn't love a good rear end ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted November 7, 2021 The MB sway bar set up looks cool Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Problemchild 2149 Posted November 7, 2021 Amazing JJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sturge 13 Posted November 7, 2021 @KEV THE REV Ya gotta love a good collection of rear ends Thanks for your comments I wasn’t sure if the sway bar on the MB would fit over these brackets, but it does….just! Have put some thread lock on the bolts to make sure the bracket stays tight. These really are well made and fit perfectly, have driven the Frog and Brat in anger with the brackets fitted, and all is good Cheers Paul 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted November 7, 2021 I've got a brace fitted to my Frog with a vintage CRP rear bumper fitted too - awesome bits of kit these . I've got one for a resto BF project too 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smirk-racing 253 Posted November 7, 2021 5 hours ago, KEV THE REV said: The MB sway bar set up looks cool @sturge Sway bar?? Very cool. Can you talk about this? How does it perform? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mongoose1983 3335 Posted November 7, 2021 8 hours ago, sturge said: Hi all Ordered 5 sets of these from Pete. They arrived super quick, and Pete kept me informed as to how many sets he had made and when he posted them. They are a great fix and simple to fit, I’m really pleased I have this fitted on my ORV chassis cars, I can now run them without the dreaded clicking noise coming from the gearbox. Here are some pics of the brackets fitted to my various ORV cars, and note the space for the rear number on the Monster Beetle and Blackfoot ( although I left the bumpers off so you can see the brackets and how the bumper would still fit ) Thanks Pete, I’m very pleased with the results Cheers Paul I like it. Looks good! And yeah, rear end pictures never fail 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frankster 2033 Posted November 8, 2021 Great garage of cars. Yes let us know how the MB upgrades perform. I had picked up 3 sets of brackets and need to think about what my next 2 ORV cars are going to be 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kol__ 3377 Posted November 8, 2021 @sturge, lovely ORV collection there mate! This brace is such a great piece of kit. Here's the MB one (which allows for the fitting of the MB rear skid plate and bumper) fitted to the gearbox... I just ran the car up and down the kitchen for the first time and it was making a big ol' clattering, ratchety, clicking racket from the back end right from the get go, although only when driving on the ground, no noise when held in the air and running the wheels. Does that mean the brace and bolts need to be tightened up or loosened off? I.e. does it make the clicking if the diff is not compressed enough or when the diff is compressed too much. From what I've read it's the former? It's got a brand new set of ally diff gears in and I when I built the gearbox the other day I tightened up the 3x casing/brace bolts until I could no longer push the white plastic cups (that the diff sits in) from side to side in the casing. So I guess the question is, do I nip 'em up a bit more or loosen then off a touch? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xeostar 815 Posted November 8, 2021 Hi, When installing make sure they are not too tight. The diff needs to be still smooth and free to rotate but supported. We found tightened down then 1/2 a turn back worked but that will vary for each gearbox. Although if your just running in your kitchen with fresh gears the normal gearbox unsupported should be just fine on it's own for this. It's only when the gearboxes are pushed hard at power and on grippy surfaces (like grass) the the limitations start to show and the diffs start to click and the gears jump teeth. If your gearbox sounds rough in your kitchen it sounds like something isn't right. I'd take the braces off (or back them right off) and see how your gearbox sounds in your kitchen on it's own. Pete 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xeostar 815 Posted November 8, 2021 Also check your pinion mesh is correct too. I seem to think it's possible to get mesh that looks to connect with the spur but isn't meshed properly then skips when you try to use it. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kol__ 3377 Posted November 8, 2021 Cool, thanks Pete. I'll give that a try Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rc4ever 30 Posted December 9, 2021 Hello all sorry for coming late to the discussion, I just bought and finished my MB and stumbled across this site and information (gearbox brace) if purchased do I need the MIP ball diff cause I just ordered it from my LHS, can I use both ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites