I have a savage xl thatI bought used and recently replaced the engine on it. Some what new to nitro, haven't figured everything out yet and have had some problems reinstalling the clutch to work right. I don't know what it could be, I follow the manual step by step and still burn the shoes up. Not a cheap fix for 3 times now. Any help on installing or are those little washer shims for the shoes any good?

Clutch shoes shredded

Does the truck roll easy? I dont know why you are eating clutches like that.
Turn your radio and electronics on and make sure the brake isnt engaged at neutral throttle position. The truck should roll freely. I cant help but think something is binding.

How much fuel is on those clutch shoes? You need to keep them filed down on the edges where its starting to mushroom out. They arent toast until the clutch springs are starting to be exposed.

Does the truck try to move while it is idling?

there are a lot of things that can cause a clutch failure. the first thing i see in that pic is the flywheel pins. im not sure if they fell out on you or you got it like that, but the pins are supposed to be pressed in the flywheel and not come out. if they always have been like that, get a new flywheel and clutch shoes and go from there.

if they just fell out, id start checking the rest of the drivetrain. make sure you have no binding, the truck should roll smooth. next check the slipper clutch, make sure the pad is in good shape and its about 1/8 turn from fully tight. excess slipper clutch slipping can cause heat, transfering through the gears and into the clutch. also, make sure your not over geared. the stock gearing is 16/52. if you have larger diameter or heavier tires consider a 14 or 15 tooth clutch bell.

Fixed

Fixed

Fixed

the truck should roll freely with the radio on and trigger in the middle. if the brakes are applied in neutral it could be causing drag under throttle. i would reset your throttle/brake linkage, and it sounds like you have some binding in the front diff. if it were me, being your waiting for parts id pull both diffs apart to inspect them. also wouldnt be a bad idea to pull the top cover off the transmission and have a look in there too, just make sure everything is in good shape.

untill the truck will roll smoothly dont even bother firing it, its just gonna burn up another clutch

Sounds good. Truck is in pieces now. Front diff gears are worn but have a set of new gears and a whole diff for the rear which I have not yet inspected but is very dirty just looking at it while it sits in the truck yet. The old brake pads were also very dirty and one was not in tact anymore even and I have a set here I am replacing now so I will be sure the brakes are not the issue next time. I will for sure check into the tranny too. The person I bought it from off eBay did not take care of the truck what so ever and it is just filthy

Filthy diff

I think the brakes are your culprit. It sounds like thats all that needs to be adjusted! The truck should roll freely when no brake is applied on the transmitter. I would suggest centering up the trim on your radio and popping the head off of the throttle/brake servo and putting it back on with the throttle at idle. If the brakes are engaged at this point then you need to adjust your brake linkage until there is no pressure on the brake linkage with the carb. set on idle.

The nut on the spur gear serves a different purpose. That adjusts the amount of torque transferred from the engine to the drive terrain. If you loosen up the nut, it will allow the gear to spin more by slipping. Its there to help lessen the amount of shock load transferred to the gears and diffs.

Take a pic of your diff if you can! These trucks are so big, they are inherently hard on parts... I wouldnt write the truck off yet.

I won't give up on this pig yet! Too much time and money into it now. I have some pictures here for ya. It's just a shame on how he treated the truck and never cleaned a thing! Just a shame..

Dirty pinion

He front diff gears are chewed up a little but I have a extra pack of them

Can anyone give me a part number for this