Help protecting the gears on the Rustler?

[Twopu]

Since all of the students in the club have no prior experience with the hobby and the kits came RTR they have no real appreciation for the Rustler trucks. They've run them full throttle in reverse and then forward to pop wheelies, crash into each other left and right, touch things that they have know understanding of, you name it they've done it. As a result I have spent most of my time adjust the pinion gear back onto the spur gear. I know I am at fault because I didn't take the time to explain my expectations/proper usage. I guess I was just as excited as they were to just play. Now we are in mini workshops (cleaning, parts, repair, anatomy, etc.) until they understand/respect the trucks.

What is causing the motor/pinion gear from moving away from the spur gear (going forward and reverse in one motion, hitting the rear, not tightened enough at the factory, combination, etc)? Can I turn off the reverse on the Rustler's ESC? Is there a rear bumper for the trucks? I need help bullet proofing the trucks.
Thanks

[Vato Loco]

Since all of the students in the club have no prior experience with the hobby and the kits came RTR they have no real appreciation for the Rustler trucks. They've run them full throttle in reverse and then forward to pop wheelies, crash into each other left and right, touch things that they have know understanding of, you name it they've done it. As a result I have spent most of my time adjust the pinion gear back onto the spur gear. I know I am at fault because I didn't take the time to explain my expectations/proper usage. I guess I was just as excited as they were to just play. Now we are in mini workshops (cleaning, parts, repair, anatomy, etc.) until they understand/respect the trucks.

What is causing the motor/pinion gear from moving away from the spur gear (going forward and reverse in one motion, hitting the rear, not tightened enough at the factory, combination, etc)? Can I turn off the reverse on the Rustler's ESC? Is there a rear bumper for the trucks? I need help bullet proofing the trucks.
Thanks
Your first mod! :eek: Easy enough, now you can show these kids the word improvise!(If i spelled it right? :p ) All new rusty owners got through this.
You can try this:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f266/CMHCMH/100_0630.jpg
I made this from a old street sign that I had lying around. I cut the alum. as you see to fit. It keeps the motor from comming loose and acts like a heat sink too. I held the alum in a vise and cut the alum. with a hack saw. Drill a hole large enough to get to the motor bearing(to lube) and two more for the mounts. The motor will not come loose again on ya! Ther is a rear bumper but is't also a wheel bar too http://www.swami-rc.com/WheelieBar.htm . But you'll still need to make one of these though!

[Twopu]

Thanks for the great tip!!! Your always there to help. I'm glad to know that we're not the only ones with this little problem. I'll look at creating a "prototype" this weekend. Any other tips I should know for the Rustlers?

Since we are using stick packs for our trucks I find it to be a very snug fit for the battery. I have already had a battery wire exposed because of the tight fit and the only way to get the battery out is to pull on the wire. How did you deal with this? I just started shaving some of the plastic away with a file. Is there an easier way?

[evaderstman]

Rpm makes a gear cover that should help you out. http://www.rpmrcproducts.com/products/traxxas/trans.htm They arn't to expensive, and are guarenteed for life.

[Vato Loco]

You know I've raced and bash with out the gear cover ever since I owned the truck Never had a problem! Had more problems with the gear cover on....

[Vato Loco]

Since we are using stick packs for our trucks I find it to be a very snug fit for the battery. I have already had a battery wire exposed because of the tight fit and the only way to get the battery out is to pull on the wire. How did you deal with this? I just started shaving some of the plastic away with a file. Is there an easier way?
Yes and no........Heres a Jang-a-fied chassis compaired to the stock chassis. http://www.ultimatetraxxas.com/i/rustler/p3/ultimate_rustler-016.jpg if you noticed the back bulk head that helps hold in your ESC is removed and the Esc is moved to a location on the other side of the chassis. The battery is then slide back and a whole new battery tie down will need to be made http://www.ultimatetraxxas.com/i/rustler/p3/ultimate_rustler-100.jpg . JMO until your skills develop I would continue to do as you are Then later on as you and your class progresses I would do the jang mod one step at a time http://www.ultimatetraxxas.com/rustler.html . You and your class will learn a lot of basic hobby skills doing this conversion this is a easy project compaired to making your own chassis from scratch! and thats another lession all together http://www.ultimaterc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57998 !
I hope your class is enjoying their new found hobby!

[Vato Loco]

BTW: check this site out for bullet proofing 101 of anything traxxas!
http://www.misbehavin-rc.com/pit-lane/hopups/er-hopups_s.asp
I printed out most of the pages and use it as a refrence guide! you might want to print it out for your class as a text book!

[SS Pede]

A decent sized washed under the lower motor screw could also help keep it in place.

[Twopu]

Wow, thanks for all the tips and links. My students are going to love this. My only concern is that they'll spend more time on the trucks and less time on their homework. LOL!!! Thanks again

[Vato Loco]

Too late, They are gone.....Lost to the RC world;-) Btw: What is the age range of your students? I wish you and your lucky studients the bestest of luck!

[justinspankey]

man i wish my schools would have done those sort of things but english schools in quebec dont have the budget for those sort of clubs and stuff. but post some pics of them racing and stuff it would be cool to see some race pics

[Twopu]

I knew I lost them when I showed them an RC catalog and they all begged me to let them take it home so that they could show their parents what they wanted. What an addicting hobby. The ages range from 11-13 years old. I'll try to post pics of them in action. They are going to be busy in mini workshops before driving again so that they can fully learn, appreciate, and respect the cars (one down side of RTR). I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks again for the help!!!

[Vato Loco]

Had an idea for you. You may of thought of it but it will create a little money for your school rc club. Have a raffle to win a rusty. that will generate money for your club and incress intrests in your group!
The down side to RTR? Here's a idea. Take each truck fully appart. put the parts for each truck in a box. give the kids a manual and tell them if you want to run them you must put them back together. there's the kit your after! Now that they see what the trucks can do. they will work hard to have more fun;-) There's way around every problem!

[Twopu]

Having a raffle seems like an interesting idea. I'll have to check with the coordinator to see if we're permitted to.

After I'm done with the mini workshops I'm going to test them on these skills by having them problem solve scenarios and rebuilding the trucks. If they master that skill they will "graduate" to driving stations. We are on the same wave length Vato. I hope to have so pics posted this weekend.

[Vato Loco]

If you go the raffle route. and cash flow is good start buying used rigs on flea bay and rebuild them from the ground up document as you go. when all is finished sell them at the schools next flea market or event! Show your coordinator that this club can generate fun, learing,and cash for the school. when other schools in your area see how well it goes. they may start rc clubs to then you can race as a school team thing! Move over baseball and football.......Rc racing is comming! You got a good thing. Chris

[Losi Stealth]

I would advise loosening the slipper clutches a bit. Do some experimentation with it and find the point where the car accellerates smoothly but still has punch. Wheelies kill gears, the forces at work in going from forward to reverse that quickly usually beak plastic teeth pretty quickly. The stinger motor shouldn't be able to cause the vehicle to wheelie if its adjusted properly.

[JLUCCA]

My 1st R/C truck at 49 years old. Forget about reverse to forward to pop wheelies. When starting to accelerate at 35 mph to hit it's top speed 60 moh plus, I cannot keep it from doing wheelies. On board brushless motor from Genisis, a warrior ESC and an Orion Lipo battery give me more than I can handle. All which was custom made for me by Finedesign of Middletown New York.

[SS Pede]

Sounds fun!

[InspGadgt]

The motor brace will certainly help but if they are going reverse to foward to pop wheelies something is going to break. Most likely it will be internal gears and drive yokes. I would still reccomend locking out reverse if you can.

[Twopu]

Can you lock out the reverse in the stock Rustler ESC?

[SS Pede]

Can you lock out the reverse in the stock Rustler ESC?
No, the stock ESC has no reverse lockout.