Narrow splined hexes?

[Mad Ax]

Does anyone know if you can get narrow splined hexes?  As in, the wheel hexes that fit over the TB Evo style universals, but narrower, so a wheel can be tucked in under a body better?

I have a TB-01 that has Evo arms and universals.  Maybe there's something about this combo, but I can't get my Tamiya Audi Quattro body to fit over the wheels.  Last night I went through 5 different sets of wheels and all of them touch the inside of the arch on compression.  I want to use this car for rallying so I want longer suspension travel and rally block tyres.

The hexes are alloy with spline fitment.  I could file the backs down around 2mm, but I don't have any spares and they don't seem readily available in case I ever wanted to go back to a conventional setup.

The other alternative is that I 3D print my own wheels (which would be awesome, but time-consuming, and they would probably be too fragile to go rallying with).

[ChrisRx718]

How do you mean splined? Does a TB Evo not use the traditional 2x10mm pin drive into the back of a hex? Not familiar with that range of chassis at all.

[Mad Ax]

16 minutes ago, ChrisRx718 said:

How do you mean splined? Does a TB Evo not use the traditional 2x10mm pin drive into the back of a hex? Not familiar with that range of chassis at all.

Splined, as in, the output of the universals doesn't have a hole for a pin, it has a spline.  The wheel hexes are alloy and have a matching spline.

This is the same as the Super Astute and King Cab / Hilux Racer, and the big rig rear axles, although those chassis all use a wheel hex that has a solid external shape (like a standard plastic pin-drive hex) whereas my TB hexes are fluted (like a trumpet horn).

[catman79]

you can get thinner wheel hexes, but nothing that works off the spline. what wheels are you using? are they standard wheels your trying to fit, not some dirift offset ones?

post some pics of what you have and we can take a look 

[mtbkym01]

Can the pivot blocks be changed to decrease the track? I’m not familiar with the chassis, but I did similar to my TA06 to fit the 9mm offset rear wheels on it

[Mad Ax]

52 minutes ago, catman79 said:

you can get thinner wheel hexes, but nothing that works off the spline. what wheels are you using? are they standard wheels your trying to fit, not some dirift offset ones?

post some pics of what you have and we can take a look 

I tried 5 different sets of wheels last night, mostly standard Tamiya ones.  Definitely not massive drifty type wheels.  I do have a set of wheels which are the same as the wheels supplied with the TT02 Quattro kit.  Oddly, on the TT02 stock photo they look to sit right in under the shell but on my TB they sit a little wider.  They will clear the outer part of the arch when pointed straight ahead but catch slightly on the rear of the front arch when turning and the upper (narrower) part of the wing on full compression.  This is probably because my chassis is slightly non-standard, having the Evo arms.

That I am using rally block tyres probably doesn't help either - I expect they are a little bigger in diameter than touring tyres.

I could make some allowance by changing camber settings but don't want to add demon camber just to get the wheels to tuck, it's supposed to be a rally car, not an onikyan.

I will try to get some pics later today if I can find such a thing as a spare moment (I'm sure I had one lying around somewhere, probably at the back of the glues, adhesives and non-permanent fixings drawer).

47 minutes ago, mtbkym01 said:

Can the pivot blocks be changed to decrease the track? I’m not familiar with the chassis, but I did similar to my TA06 to fit the 9mm offset rear wheels on it

Good question - I've never actually had this chassis apart and don't have a manual, but I'll have a look.  If they can be changed, it's a good bet there aren't any available now - the TB01 has been hard to get parts for.  But I'll scour an online manual later and see if something can be printed to fit.

[wolfdogstinkus]

The madbull has splined hexes, don't know if they are the same spline but worth a try for parts

[svenb]

No suspension blocks on that chassis, like the ta02 the gearcases double as inner pivot points. 

The splined hex is located with a big E-clip so no trimming is possible there! 🤔. 

Do you know if you have the long arm suspension set or the two piece arms? And there are two types of universal shafts 53409 and 53431(long).

Photos definitely help 👍

[Mad Ax]

Interestingly, my hexes aren't held in place by big E-clips.  I guess there is space there to do that but they never have been.  It came to me as a built car around 15 years ago and I haven't changed the arms since then.

I will get photos of the arms and unis later.  I know I had loads of trouble replacing them a few years ago - I assumed I had standard TB01 arms a universal failed, I ordered a standard TB01 set that didn't fit, followed by a "long" TB01 set that also didn't fit.  Eventually I ordered a TB Evo set (or something like that) and they fitted fine.

It's not out by a mahoosive amount and, in all honesty, it might be mostly the additional size of the rally blocks that causes the problem, it's just out by enough that the arches will catch when turning and the paint will get rubbed off of the wings at full compression (something other totally stock Tamiya touring cars have suffered from anyway, in my experience).

[Fruitfly01]

The Porsche 959 and Celica GrB cars use a different splined hex to anything else I know.  It looks similar to the Juggernaut hex hubs, but I know that design has a larger diameter centre hole than a standard buggy/touring car hex.  I'm not sure what diameter hole is in the 959 hubs, or if they're even a 12mm design.  I'm sorry I can't be more help, but I thought I'd throw it into the mix.  There are some available on Ebay right now and are not expensive. 

[Saito2]

It sticks in my mind that the original Avante (not re-re) had narrower splined hexes when compared to the later splined hex buggies like the Madcap, Astute and King Cab.

[Mad Ax]

So I had another look last night - I had intended to grab photos but was too busy - and the issue is actually fairly minor and probably only happens because I'm using rally block tyres.  I have yet to set up the camber on the deck so things might look a little better after that, and it's possible I'll need to stiffen the springs too so it may not be much of a problem once it's on track (which probably won't be any time soon as we've got a week or so of much-needed wet weather on the forecast and unless I can get out with the mower before it comes in this afternoon, there's no way a rally car is going to make it around the grass sections.