hi
over the last couple of days i have been running in a motor
while doing this i noticed that when i realse the steering wheel after turning it dosnt fully centre happens either way i do it
it also feels a little notchy when doing little inputs
i have tryed making the tension tighter makes it a little better but still feels notchy

Thanks

This weekend I had the same problem with my zx 5, where it wouldn't go back to center. When I would let go of the wheel it would be still going a little left or right. I raced 1 heat race like that. ended up that it was a king pin went tight on one side for some reason. Not sure if this is the same situation for you, but it sounded like the same situation I was in and just thought I would share that with you

I noticed that I occasionally have to reset the steering trim on all my cars, even if it was set perfect at my house before I go racing when I get to the track sometimes its off. Its like the radio sometimes loses steering position.

My M11 did the same thing. Its something either with the POT or the return spring. Either way you have to send it back to Airtronics, and be prepared to wait SIX weeks to get it back like I did. And depending on how old yours is, if its older than a year type you up a fake receipt on your computer for sometime within the past year and send it in with it. That way all repairs will be free.

Could not help but to read this post. I had the same thing happen while I owned an m11 radio. Wheels not centering and a notchy or gritty feeling in the steering wheel. It ended up that there is a bearing in the transmitter that was dirty and airtronics fixed it for free.

Mine doesnt feel gritty but I do have the spring as loose as it can go

mine had 2 problems.....the first was the bearing..... i fixed it myself...

the second i think had to do with the specktrum.....the radio wouldnt center...i did not notice it with my offraod stuff i noticed it with my sedan

My friend had centering problems with his M8 after owning it for only a year, but it was just out of warranty. He sent it up for repair and they charged him $35. They told him that everything spec'ed out and they found nothing wrong. However, when he got it back, it worked without issue. I believe there is another older thread regarding not centering for the M8, too. My friend was kind of disappointed because we don't know anyone here that had problems with their Futaba radios not centering even ones that were 10-15 years old.

hi mr losi
the bearing was my first guess as it still returns but feels notchy
if you could send me a pm on how you fixed it that would be awesome
can you remove the bearing easily?

Thanks to everyone

Mine did the same thing not long after i got it...

mine was a spring issue... there was a dead spot on the center of the steering throw on the radio...

one of the 3 (maybe 4, dont remember) springs came loose... very easy fix...

Has anyone got any info on how to change/replace this bearing?

Mine was fine a few weeks ago when I last raced but I picked it up to use last weekend and it was a nightmare racing with it. (Notchy, not centering and binding up)

Need to sort this out as soon as possible because I've got a big race meet this weekend.

i've pondered in my down time from racing here lately on whether to dump my airtronics radios over these issues. bolstered by the fact of their distributor changes and thus most shops now not carrying them or havin to pull teeth to help customers who need service. any1 else seeing these issues (6wks in some cases could be a 1/2 season to some or tight on champs for those who wish to go). a ton of folks at the local track still use the helios, some have tried that dx3r deal and naturally there's a wealth of 'radar guns'. i seem to be the only 1 left on AR (1 or 2 other occasionally seen) with both my m8 and my m11. oddly enuff i still use the 8 and the 11 hasnt seen any time.

not sure, but all these threads bout service needs concerns me. i wanna see the end result of this chap's dilemma. good luck

R

Same thing has happened to my M11 and a friend's M11. It can happen if it falls onto the wheel or sometimes while packing it up or just during travel.

You can do this without taking the wheel off just by pulling on it, but there's a chance you'll break the wheel....

All you need to do to fix it is take off the wheel, grab the plastic piece that the wheel attaches to with a pair of pliers and pull it until it makes a little pop (it takes a little effort). Put the wheel back on and it will be as good as new.

If your M11 isn't centering it could be for a few reasons...

1. The steering tension is set too loose and the springs don't have enough tension to return the steering to center. You can view this on the steering D/R screen. Fix = tighten the steering adjustment 1/2 turn at a time until it centers better.

2. The bearing could be dirty and would need to be cleaned. Normally, this only affects the movement and not the centering capabilities of the radio.

3. The radio could need to be calibrated if it has a lot of hours on it (maybe 75 or so). This could also happen with severe weather changes that the radio experiences. If it's in the extreme heat and then the following month it's in freezing weather. This could happen with any radio brand. Fix = send in for service calibration.

Either reason it's not that big a deal. Not sure why it took six weeks to service a radio. Most people I know say it takes about a week or two.