Official AE RC18 Thread!
#1861

Hi Guys,
I have a buddy with a rc18b, early model.
anyway it steers like crap whatever direction you turn it it stays so your always driving it.
What can I do to help him? give parts if possible.
I have a sneaky suspesion it is the saver more than servo but it may be both.
Thanks
I have a buddy with a rc18b, early model.
anyway it steers like crap whatever direction you turn it it stays so your always driving it.
What can I do to help him? give parts if possible.
I have a sneaky suspesion it is the saver more than servo but it may be both.
Thanks
#1862
Tech Rookie

i found this link very helpful for rc18 tuning/upgrades world wide web dot competitionx dot com/rc-support/rc18-series/
#1863
Tech Master
iTrader: (72)

I parted out my rc18t stuff, here is what is left if anyone wants a cherry exotek roller.
http://www.rctech.net/forum/r-c-item...r-package.html
http://www.rctech.net/forum/r-c-item...r-package.html
#1864

I want to know if those GT-Z bodies on ebay will fit an RC18LM. It says 18R, will it fit the longer chassis too?
#1866
#1867
Tech Adept

I ended up putting the CM20/6800kv motor back in . The CM26/4600 was just too much. 
The steering is way better with the new centerlink. I may end up carving a little bit out of the diff case to get better steering though. The ball cup bottoms out against the housing.

The steering is way better with the new centerlink. I may end up carving a little bit out of the diff case to get better steering though. The ball cup bottoms out against the housing.
#1868
Tech Apprentice
iTrader: (16)

I have an RC18b that has a steering problem where it will go straight and then turn a bit so that I'm constantly providing steering input.
I went thru the process of buying a new stock servo saver kit and I added a spring to make it stronger (used a stock shock spring, recommended by my LHS). However, the problem is still basically the same.

My question is: Could this type of steering symptom be due to my front or rear diffs needing to be rebuilt? I have an RC18t that has even more play in the steering than my RC18b, but doesn't exhibit the steering problems.
What are some other items to look for?
I went thru the process of buying a new stock servo saver kit and I added a spring to make it stronger (used a stock shock spring, recommended by my LHS). However, the problem is still basically the same.

My question is: Could this type of steering symptom be due to my front or rear diffs needing to be rebuilt? I have an RC18t that has even more play in the steering than my RC18b, but doesn't exhibit the steering problems.
What are some other items to look for?
#1869

If I succeed, I'll post the results.
#1870

I have the same setup with the cut shock section around my servo saver. One thing I read about this setup is the spring is lower than the bottom of the servo and rubs against the chassis so you need to either raise the servo or grind out a little of the chassis for clearance.
you could also have a bad servo. does the servo center correctly if you remove it from the car and try it on the bench?
you could also have a bad servo. does the servo center correctly if you remove it from the car and try it on the bench?
#1871
Tech Apprentice
iTrader: (16)

I have the same setup with the cut shock section around my servo saver. One thing I read about this setup is the spring is lower than the bottom of the servo and rubs against the chassis so you need to either raise the servo or grind out a little of the chassis for clearance.
you could also have a bad servo. does the servo center correctly if you remove it from the car and try it on the bench?
you could also have a bad servo. does the servo center correctly if you remove it from the car and try it on the bench?
I've placed the servo on the table and observed its behavior. I've also simply removed the turnbuckles with the servo still mounted in the chassis and watched the arm return. I think that the only way for me to eliminate that as a problem, though is to swap the servo and see if the problem persists. I will be able to do that since I have 2 of these cars. I just haven't tried that yet.
It just seems odd that I have another RC18t that has a lot more play/slop in the steering yet doesn't exhibit this symptom. I've even swapped the tires.
Another difference is that I have a CM2080 motor, which exacerbates the steering problem. I'm not convinced that it's the motor, though. That's because the symptom occurs even at lower speed.
The main reason that I suspect the diff is that if the internal resistance is somehow uneven, that it could be causing some type of torque steer. My next experiment is to remove the front dog bones and see if the straight-line movement improves.
#1872

I pulled my servo off this afternoon and found a groove worn in the chassis where the cut spring section is, so I dremeled out the chassis to provide some clearance.
This made a huge improvement!
Before, I was never really able to move the servo by hand if I turned the front wheels. It just kind of torqued the servo saver a bit.
Now when I move the wheels by hand, it actually spins the servo quite easily.
I haven't run the car yet because I'm still in the process of installing a driven productions gear case cover and I seem to have lost the washer for the top motor mount screw.
However I hopeful that this will eliminate my steering centering issues.
Now I just need to see if I can address the poor turning radius caused by the ball cups hitting the diff case.
The bottom line is, if you do the spring coil mod you need to either raise the servo or dremel the chassis.
This made a huge improvement!
Before, I was never really able to move the servo by hand if I turned the front wheels. It just kind of torqued the servo saver a bit.
Now when I move the wheels by hand, it actually spins the servo quite easily.
I haven't run the car yet because I'm still in the process of installing a driven productions gear case cover and I seem to have lost the washer for the top motor mount screw.

However I hopeful that this will eliminate my steering centering issues.
Now I just need to see if I can address the poor turning radius caused by the ball cups hitting the diff case.
The bottom line is, if you do the spring coil mod you need to either raise the servo or dremel the chassis.
#1873
Tech Adept

What is this coil spring mod? Pics?
#1875

see here:
servo saver mod

I used a blue spring for mine. I'm not sure it matters all that much what spring you use (silver, bluer or gold). You definitely need to either raise the servo or grind out the chassis for clearance, though.
servo saver mod

I used a blue spring for mine. I'm not sure it matters all that much what spring you use (silver, bluer or gold). You definitely need to either raise the servo or grind out the chassis for clearance, though.