Avalanche steering mod
 

As some might know I have been having issues with the steering locking up when landing from a bad jump and it even locked up once on a hard turn in a bumpy feild. I thought I figured out the solution. What I was thinking that when the suspension was fully compressed comming off a jump if it landed off camber it would completely turn the wheel sideways and the steering end would get jammed on the a arm. I was able to put some toe in and it helped but did not fix it. One side would get jammed still but I could not put in any more toe or else it would not steer good. Now when the steering locks it will also bend the steering plate. Today I went to the hobby shop to fix this problem once and forall. Also I stripped 2 servo arms. I installed an aluminum servo arm to remedy that problem. Then I went and got longer screws for the steering ends. Then I used a nut, 4 nylon #4 flat washers and then a nut on the end. What this does is makes a steering stop to prevent steering lock. It will go to full turn with suspension compressed and the stops hit the a arm and prevents the wheel from turning any further and locking up. The rest of the day was great. No locking up and alot of wrong landings. I used the nylon washers because steel washers would eventually eat up the a arm where it hits. It looks good and it only cost about $2.00 adn no more frustrated 10yo. Works like a charm. Other than the steering it has been flawless.

Here is what is needed
2 #4 1" machine screws
4 #4 lock nuts
6 #4 nylon flat washers

RE: Avalanche steering mod
 

excellent work bro, nice fix, i am proud of you!!! lol :D

RE: Avalanche steering mod
 

Nice mod! I have had that problem with my monsoon a couple of times and it turned the wheels so much it locked up on my servo saver. I would just pop it back and it would be ok but I can see how this mod would stop that. I like that. Also get used to the steering plate bending. Mine has done that from day one. It is very week aluminum. I even used the upraded redcat steering plate and bent that two. I just take them out and tap them with a mallet on the concrete and they bend right back straight. I am going to try and see if the Kyosho inferno st plate will fit when I can find one.

RE: Avalanche steering mod
 

I think the plate bends because of the steering locking up. What is the upgraded steering plate? I was looking for it. Is it thicker? I think this will stop it from bending because it prevents the steering from going any further. A few guys have said they have had this problem and its annoying so I figured I would make the first move to make the steering mod. It looks clean and it does its job. Now I will see how the steering plate holds up. Something redcat needs to look at fixing (HINT HINT) . I busted a wheel because of this problem. I will keep everyone posted but I think this should be a recommended mod. So far this was the only weak link that showed itself within the first few tanks.

RE: Avalanche steering mod
 

Here is a link to the upgraded steering plate. It is thicker than stock and is supposed to be machined aluminum but it STILL BENDS[:o]. This is what I have on my monsoon right now.

[link]http://redcatracing.com/itemdetail_part.asp?partno=081040p[/link]

RE: Avalanche steering mod
 

Is it definately thicker? How do the bushings fit if its thicker. Do you need to leave the nuts a little loose because on the stock ones you can tighten them all the way. I think my steering mod will prevent this or maybe even the combination of the 2. It has bent every time the steering has locked up. Other than that it has been fine.

RE: Avalanche steering mod
 

Yes it is definitely thicker for sure. On this plate where the bushings go it is machined down or recessed a little thinner just where the bushing goes so it still fits but the rest of the plate is a solid thicker piece I think about 2mm or so.

RE: Avalanche steering mod
 

Thats what Im looking for. Thanks. I just want a new one because the stock one is all bent up and has been straightened several times so it cant be all that strong anymore.

RE: Avalanche steering mod
 

Same reason I got one.

RE: Avalanche steering mod
 

I talked to nick @ redcat when I was ordering some parts and told him about what is happening with the steering. He said he has not heard anything about this but I told him I have heard from more than a few guys that it has happened to them. He said he will look into it and see what they would have to do to correct it or see what the problem is. The Avalanche is a great truck and this is the only complaint I have about it. Now that I have a fix it has been great. Son ran it today with no problems. He was very happy.

RE: Avalanche steering mod
 

My problem has only been coming off of a bigger jump a little sideways and hitting ground like that and the force of the hit making the wheels turn more than they should and overturning the servo saver and locking the wheels up. Never have done that on anything else I have owned.

RE: Avalanche steering mod
 

The avalanche is set up the same as the monsoon and no matter how it lands the wheels should not lock up.

RE: Avalanche steering mod
 

I think it would help by tightening the servo saver up alot more to not let it move as easy when hit hard but then you servo would go out or break. A double edged sword.[:o]

RE: Avalanche steering mod
 

I tried that and it still happened and it also stripped out 3 horns.

RE: Avalanche steering mod
 

[:@] Glad it was you and not me that tried it! LOL Are you using plastic servo horns or aluminum. I use all aluminum, I hate the plastic because they strip so easy.

RE: Avalanche steering mod
 

I just installed and alumunim one.

RE: Avalanche steering mod
 

After I went to aluminum I have not had a problem stripping them at all, not once! I love them.

RE: Avalanche steering mod
 

Here is a slight modification to my steering mod to prevent the steering plate from bending. The stops were to prevent the over steer lock up but some were still complaining about the plate bending. The stock plate hits teh diff cover before the stops hit the lower a arm. This puts stress on the plate causing it to bend. Grinding down the area of the plate that hits the diff case will take all the stress off of the plate and lets teh plate do what its supposed to do. The stops do all the work. I ended up upgrading the plate to the thicker one and grinding it down. It has alot of runs on it now and no bent plate. Just did not want to post this mod till I was sure it was going to work so here you go. You can do this to the stock plate and have the same results.