i am now going to start catalouging problems and successes i have with the matrix. now, dont take this as "matrix hate" thread, im just writing down the problems ive had with it to try and educate others and maybe even help CEN out a bit. im really amped about the season starting up again on the new track as i plan to prove to the local hicks that the Hypers aernt the RoXOrs!!11!!!!

Progress Report:

1/11/06:just ripped the threaded rod out of my 3rd upper inner arm on my matrix rtr. im not punishing it even remotely close to what i put my savage through so im wondering if theres a known porblem of this.
Picture 1
and the consequent damage to my left hand lower arm from the dogbone coming out of the diff cup
Picture 2

12/11/06: a couple of problems at the track doing some practice. number one, after about 5 minutes running, my front right dogbone jumped out of the diff cup? although at first i thought it strange, i know realise there was underlying problem.
went back to my work bench to find a screw sitting there and wondered where it came from. didnt think anything of it and went back out again.
got bored of the track so decided to hit the freestyle jumps. pulled off the most flukiest underflip when i hit this retarded part of the lip and when i landed i noticed the front wheels flapping all over the place. was worried i might of ripped out another upper a-arm, but all was good. but, i decided to inspect closer. i then found that i could move the steering knuckles all over the place...on both sides!!! so i checked to see if the kingpins were still there. well the top was but the bottom two werent wasnt. thats where that lone screw i found had come from because now both the left and right steering knuckle lower kingpin threads are toast which means new steering knuckles.
thats the reason why the front dogbone was able to fall out and chewed my diff cup up and arm pretty bad.
Picture 3
Picture 4
Picture 5

You need the factory pro steering knuckles my friend. Put those on your car. Best $69.95 you will ever invest! Also, a cool mod that we (the team) have been doing is using the center diff cups in our front diffs. When you run mondo up and down travel, your doggy bone will not fall out. Try it, I think you will be suprised!

Gabe

hmm, i would love the pro knuckles...but i just cant justify that much mullah at the moment.

My friend I have gone through some of these similar situations.... in a pinch in theory you could jb weld a screw into the cast knuckle... but the CNC are the only way to go when racing!!!
As far as the arm being chewed up... you should run center out-put yokes and you will not have any future problems...
Call the CEN guy ralf and tell him you need a free sample of center out yokes for the front- he gave me mine

18/11/06: well first run on the new track was having trouble from the knuckles i dodgied up for the race seeing as my replacements havent come in yet. anyway, left knuckle screw came out which allowed the dogbone to jump out of the diff again during mid flight. lost all control and the matrix landed right wheel first into the metal stakes which are holding the poly pipe in the gound. i snapped the little hex shaped bit on the servo saver that the tierods are attached to.
i will be ordering the alloy version come monday. also, whats the CEN part numbers for the #2 shock pistons?