Diff Replacement...Skill Level?

Diff Replacement...Skill Level?
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Diff Replacement...Skill Level? - 3/28/2005 1:15:39 AM

JaysonR

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Joined: 7/11/2004
From: Cleveland Hts , OH, USA
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So they finally cracked and I need to replace them with the aluminum ones. However, its my 1st nitro and I can count how many times I drove it still. Is this a difficult replacement? I know I won't learn till I do or try it, but for all the people that have done this before, should someone who is still very new to nitros and nitro wrenching, try to replace a diff himself, or wait to learn on something less difficult.

Post #: 1

RE: Diff Replacement...Skill Level? - 3/28/2005 1:21:17 AM

ThermalRD

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1-10 with 10 being the hardest, i rate that job about a 2. If that. Its seriously that simple.

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RE: Diff Replacement...Skill Level? - 3/28/2005 2:04:41 AM

creyc

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Joined: 6/26/2004
From: Safety Harbor, FL, USA
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This is a very simple repair, due to the trucks design more than anything.

You'll need to remove the screws holding on the front bumper plate as well as two more underneath holding the bumper on. Pull this plate (and bumper) off along with the aluminum behind it and you'll have direct access to the diffs. Pull the two small spacer blocks out and remove the diff case completely by grabbing the silver CVD's on either side and pull straight out.

Don't be afraid to yank on the diff, there is nothing else holding it in but friction of sand, dirt and a buildup of grime. With the differential removed you can unscrew the broken case (4 screws) and place the inner diff into the new metal case along with the drive-shaft. Apply a bit of white lithium grease to the inside of this new metal case and bolt it together.

Because the metal cases don't mark which side is up you'll need to put it side by side with the original plastic case to figure out which side is up. Slide it into the carrying tracks and insert the CVDs from the wheels to each side of the diff. Remember to align the driveshaft into its yoke underneath the truck when pushing the differential in as well. Gently roll the truck forwards to ensure you installed the diff in the correct way. If it won't roll chances are it's in upside down. Remember to put the black spacers in and finally align and bolt the bumper plate back onto the kingpins.

It sounds more complex than it is really, the trickiest part is making sure to align up the driveshaft underneath the truck as well as the two CVD's to each wheel when reinstalling. I had to replace a plastic case with a metal one last weekend and the entire process took me 5 minutes per diff and I made it in time for the next heat of the race. I guess this is why Losi made the differentials easy to access.

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RE: Diff Replacement...Skill Level? - 3/28/2005 4:07:56 AM

taildraggerdave

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From: Sun Valley, CA, USA
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....and when you replace the rear diff, don't bother taking off the tie rods. Just remove the aluminum plate/bumper and move it up out of the way. Remove the 2 spacer blocks and pull the diff out.

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RE: Diff Replacement...Skill Level? - 3/28/2005 4:44:53 AM

danedelman

Posts: 190
Joined: 12/24/2004
From: Easton, PA, USA
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make sure to take off the lower shocks when doing the front. My alum diff cases said top, they were the Team Losi blue ones.

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RE: Diff Replacement...Skill Level? - 3/28/2005 6:08:58 AM

creyc

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From: Safety Harbor, FL, USA
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there's no need to take off the shocks when doing the front...or at least I never had issues.

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RE: Diff Replacement...Skill Level? - 3/28/2005 6:23:05 AM

mattymoe

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From: SLC, UT, USA
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Uh! i had to move my shocks out of the way to pull the front diff, because the drive shafts would hit the shocks and not allow the diff to pull all the way out! I dont know how you got it out. And i would rate it pretty easy, and while you have the diffs out switch to diff oil, seems to work alot better than grease. (neewbie's 2 cents)

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RE: Diff Replacement...Skill Level? - 3/28/2005 12:31:25 PM

danedelman

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From: Easton, PA, USA
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You cannot slide the diff out without taking the bottom shock mount off. I am sure you have done this before!!

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RE: Diff Replacement...Skill Level? - 3/29/2005 6:46:41 AM

creyc

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From: Safety Harbor, FL, USA
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Ah, I had to double check by testing on my truck this afternoon and I simply pull a kingpin for one of the A-arms allowing you plenty of room to pull the diff out. I find it easier to remove and replace a pin than a screw and nut.

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RE: Diff Replacement...Skill Level? - 3/29/2005 1:45:07 PM

danedelman

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From: Easton, PA, USA
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There is no nut on the shock screw just a 3/32 hex head screw.

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RE: Diff Replacement...Skill Level? - 3/29/2005 4:35:06 PM

jefx

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From: mach pk, IL,
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I also just pull out the lower hinge pins. They are right there, all you do is pull. It's the easiest method.

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RE: Diff Replacement...Skill Level? - 3/29/2005 8:53:23 PM

Baja T-Maxx

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From: Tijuana, MEXICO
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quote:

ORIGINAL: jefx

I also just pull out the lower hinge pins. They are right there, all you do is pull. It's the easiest method.

I did the same thing as jefx, its easier and faster

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Post #: 12

RE: Diff Replacement...Skill Level? - 3/30/2005 3:25:32 AM

numwiz

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From: san antonio, TX, USA
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12 screws to remove the front and back bumper guards and you will have easy access to pull out the diffs. It was my first time, and looking at the book scared the heck out of me. But doing one I was thinking WOW this is super easy. Are you going to leave grease in the diffs or going with silicon? If you go silicon a decent weight is 30k front and back. Dont forget to get new rubber gaskets or you may have some leak problems. I bought them off the mugen shelf. They have something like 12 in a pack. If you do silicon, make sure you also clean out all the grease. Nitro engine cleaner worked well and a bunch of paper towels for me....

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Post #: 13

RE: Diff Replacement...Skill Level? - 3/30/2005 2:16:49 PM

JaysonR

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From: Cleveland Hts , OH, USA
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I'm gonna use silicon, probably the same weight you suggested. I won't get a chance to do it till later this week. I had to order them from the hobby store, and they won't get here till Friday, which of course is the day I'm leaving out of town. Hard to believe its that easy. Is there anything else that I should know? Is there a certain kind of rubber gasket that I should use when I put the new ones together? Haven't seen the inside of the diffs yet, will there be a problem put the gears back into the new one? I know its not as serious as the trans, but still.

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Post #: 14

RE: Diff Replacement...Skill Level? - 3/31/2005 1:14:20 AM

taildraggerdave

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Naw, it's about as basic as a rock fight.
You should have no troubles.

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