XX-4 Front A-Arms breaking constantly

[knucklebusta]

I just recently got an xx-4 used and a new one (not built yet)

I've broken 2 or 3 front a arms on the xx-4. They look rather weak, is this the weak part on the car.

Also, do the graphite parts get more brittle in the sub freezing temps?

Thanks, Kevin

[TimisTim]

All materials will become less malleable (or stiffer) in cold weather. You can try to go back to the stock plastic versions which should have more flex and handle impacts better than their graphite counterparts. The XX-4 is not much of a basher though. More a purebred race machine so dont expect to much out of it.

[RC10racer89]

All materials will become less malleable (or stiffer) in cold weather. You can try to go back to the stock plastic versions which should have more flex and handle impacts better than their graphite counterparts.

I agree with Tim, the plastic parts would be a better option than the graphite ones in any weather. Because plastic will flex under impact, it will have less chance of breaking. This also absorbs many of the forces, instead of transferring it to other parts of your car. (aluminum and titanium parts are known to do this) If they don't bend, which they can, you often just start breaking other parts instead :rolleyes: As far as the carbon parts go, they are far more rigid. This is good for racing for two reasons. With less flex, the car will handle a bit better. It also saves a small amount of weight, but seriously, unless your a seasoned pro racer you probably won't even notice the difference ;)

If you go with the plastic arms, another trick you can use to make them even more crash resistant is to boil them in water. This will soften the plastic a bit more, and allow it to flex and absorb even more of the impact. If you boil the arms for about 15-20 minutes then take them out to let them cool, this will really help keep you from breaking parts.

[knucklebusta]

How do you find the plastic ones, are they still available? Anybody got a part number?

Thanks, Kevin

[RC10racer89]

They are going to be hard to find, I looked on Tower, Stormer, and Horizon hobbies. I would think that because Losi re-released the car not long ago, there would be some parts available for it. I could only find limited parts, and those were all graphite :o You could try e-bay... Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[knucklebusta]

Well, if I can't find the plastic ones, I'll just have to order 40 sets of graphite ones, since I've used the car 2x and broken 2 of them. I guess I'll have to assume that I'm going to break one every time I use the car. XXX-4 is so much more durable. I made a xxx-4 arm fit last evening (had to reverse the arm, drill a hole for shock screw, dremel off 2mm where it attaches to the bulkhead. The only reason I didn't go with it was that it shortened the wheelbase by a 1/2 inch or so. I'll look at it again tonight, if work allows me to leave with an ounce of energy.

kevin

[losiguy1090]

Just dont crash ;) lol just playin

[InspGadgt]

If you can find it...Losi used to have a wide front bumper for the XX4 as part of a convrsion kit to make it a stadium truck. I didn't like the truck myself but I kept running the wide front bumper and it saved me many a front arm.

[torque5252]

`If you can find a Street Weapon front bumper it SHOULD fit. I haven't actually done this, so I don't know if you have to mod anything. However I've seen a couple Street Weapon to xx4 conversions done and they used the bumpers to protect the front arms, then took them off to race. One of the guys told me it also helps him to land flat on all the jumps when he practices with the bumper, keeps him from lawn-darting!!!! He adds a stick on 5gram auto wheel weight to the nose when he races so the car stays balanced. You could also try to mod a RS4 style bumper. I ran a RS4 Sport bumper on my Ofna Z10 for months. only had to oblong the four mounting holes a little. I've also made bumpers for franken-bashers out of rubbermaid plastic (trash cans and storage bins). Oh, the only night I saw those guys with the xx4 bumpers race, one of them broke a front control arm. Maybe shoulda left the bumper on!!!!! lol.....good luck....torque :)

[knucklebusta]

One of the things that sucks is adding the front brace. I hacked the bulkhead till I was almost through it, grinded down the brace and the front bumper would not fit properly, I had to add about 5mm of spacers to get the bolts to get to screw into the front of the bumper. Works well, but now there is a space and the bumper is not flush underneath with the bulkhead. I hate when stuff is not perfect. Any ideas? is the brace a must to keep from breaking bulkheads?