Savage solution

Radio Control Car Action, Mar 2003 by Auturo, Henry

YOU'VE GOT PROBLEMS? WE'VE GOT FIXES.

SAVAGE SOLUTION

My HPI Savage's transmission is giving me problems. I can drive the truck forward, but it doesn't roll backward freely. Instead, it locks up when I try to roll it backward or when I let off the throttle going up a steep hill. What do you think is wrong, and how do I fix it? [Email]

Henry Auturo

You will have to take the tranny apart. Then check the 2-speed spur-gear assembly. One of the two screws that hold the clutch-holder plate ahs probably backed out far enough to rub against the tranny case; this prevents the truck from rolling backward freely. There are a couple of solutions:

1. Use two 2x12mm machine screws to replace the stock self-tapping screws. These screws are slightly longer than the stock screws, so they will bite into more material, and they have more threads than a tapered screw, so they are likely to stay put.

2. If you can't find machine screws, you can remove the stock screws, put a little silicone sealant on their threads, and then screw them back into the gear. The silicone will hold the screws in place but will still allow you to remove them easily.

3. As a last option, you could use CA to keep the screws in place. Just put a tiny drop of CA into both holes from the back of the secondspeed spur gear. If you need to disassemble the 2-speed, though, you'll find it difficult to remove the screws.