Kraton Keep popping steering links at the ackerman

[332_RC]

My K6 with the 4990 has so much power & is heavy, I have popped a steering tie rod link off the 8x12 ball at the ackerman a few times. Pops back on, not broken. Is the composite end just worn out or is there a upgrade or aftermarket alternative or trick/hack to keep it from happening? I've seen the china steering links. Not impressed & look heavy. I'm guessing Vitavon might make them, not sure, but are probably $$$. Thanks guys

 

[RC Steve]

It sounds like your ball ends are worn out. Those plastic ends don't stay tight as long as we would like. Is your Ackerman plate straight?

 

[332_RC]

The ackerman is straight. It's a 4mm 7075. I've been looking at parts online & just realized a few minutes ago that the V5 8x12 pivot balls have the larger diameter head ends/retainer. These I have are the smaller V3 style allowing the composite end to pop completely off, not being retained at all. Probably worn too, as you mentioned. I'll be updating them to the V5 ones & new ends. Thanks man.

 

[Garcbomber]

I usually layer a couple strips of teflon pipe tape in to tighten up the ball joints in my kids’ buggies. After they pop out or develop slop again, I’ll replace the end link.

 

[332_RC]

Got some V5 style 8x12 pivot balls with the larger hat swapped in I had from my Infraction when I bought spare steering links from a kit breaker. Just swapped the balls, the composites felt all the same.

 

[slick2500]

Got some V5 style 8x12 pivot balls with the larger hat swapped in I had from my Infraction when I bought spare steering links from a kit breaker. Just swapped the balls, the composites felt all the same.

View attachment 384024

View attachment 384025

View attachment 384026

You are going to start breaking the steering links with those balls. I swapped my Outcast over to those for all of one bashing season then swapped back to the old style. I broke 3 steering links with those stupid things I swapped back to the old style and haven't broken a steering link since. Replace the rod ends once they pop off they are going to continue to pop off.

 

[Just a hobby]

Search all the 1/5 gas rc shops you'll find things like this. Stock tie rods might fit those ends? Ddm employees should know specs. Call and ask if they have just the ends. Large scale rc and 2 others I can't think of. https://www.ddmracing.com/IRP-Kraken-TSCO-STG-Tie-Rods

 

[332_RC]

You are going to start breaking the steering links with those balls. I swapped my Outcast over to those for all of one bashing season then swapped back to the old style. I broke 3 steering links with those stupid things I swapped back to the old style and haven't broken a steering link since. Replace the rod ends once they pop off they are going to continue to pop off.

Even though all the 6s V5 line has those type of balls? My V5 Notorious has them from the factory. I've had one pop loose on it, but the hat retained it, popped back on.

 

[slick2500]

Even though all the 6s V5 line has those type of balls? My V5 Notorious has them from the factory. I've had one pop loose on it, but the hat retained it, popped back on.

Idk, I had my Outcast for 2 or 3 years and the steering links would pop off from time to time, then I split my steering bellcrank, so I bought a new V4 takeoff from Jenny's. I just swapped in my V1 adjustable steering post for the never tight V4+ one and within the first week I broke a steering link then by the end of the year I had broken 3 of them in total. I swapped back to the old style balls and I haven't broken one since. They haven't popped off in a long time either though

 

[332_RC]

Idk, I had my Outcast for 2 or 3 years and the steering links would pop off from time to time, then I split my steering bellcrank, so I bought a new V4 takeoff from Jenny's. I just swapped in my V1 adjustable steering post for the never tight V4+ one and within the first week I broke a steering link then by the end of the year I had broken 3 of them in total. I swapped back to the old style balls and I haven't broken one since. They haven't popped off in a long time either though

Idk either. My Notorious ate step pins in the ackerman a few times & bent it, swapped to a EXB ackerman & new pins & it stopped that & popped a link off the ball from time to time. Gremlins.

 

[Eno]

You are going to start breaking the steering links with those balls.

I don't think so. I am running the V5 balls on my three 6S rigs and have not broken a link yet.

 

[slick2500]

I don't think so. I am running the V5 balls on my three 6S rigs and have not broken a link yet.

You jinxed me.

 

[332_RC]

And these are garbage I'm guessing

 

[slick2500]

And these are garbage I'm guessing View attachment 385053

Depends on how well they machined the rod ends, if the machining sucks they will be sloppy.

 

[hobo]

never broke a link on the old style or new just worn them out

 

[332_RC]

Now these popped up as a suggestion because of the other ones. Carbon fiber. Makes me wonder if it's got a liner inside the plate for the pivot ball or whatever they figured out for a rod end. Listed for a Kraton 6s BLX. I can't imagine they would last, limited articulation for the fronts possibly. Great concept though. Front steering & rear camber links.

 

[slick2500]

Now these popped up as a suggestion because of the other ones. Carbon fiber. Makes me wonder if it's got a liner inside the plate for the pivot ball or whatever they figured out for a rod end. Listed for a Kraton 6s BLX. I can't imagine they would last, limited articulation for the fronts possibly. Great concept though. Front steering & rear camber links. View attachment 385176

Those the eBay ones? The eBay carbon fiber is rather meh from what I have found, not usually machined very well and rather weak.

-edit- Yeah good ol monsterkingz, he makes nice bling parts but a lot of it is crap with crap machining. https://www.arrmaforum.com/threads/ebay-titanium-shock-towers.47144/

 

[332_RC]

Those the eBay ones? The eBay carbon fiber is rather meh from what I have found, not usually machined very well and rather weak.

Yes. Monster Kings. I agree.

Those the eBay ones? The eBay carbon fiber is rather meh from what I have found, not usually machined very well and rather weak.

-edit- Yeah good ol monsterkingz, he makes nice bling parts but a lot of it is crap with crap machining. https://www.arrmaforum.com/threads/ebay-titanium-shock-towers.47144/

Good grief! Those do look pretty unimpressive. They were water-jetted with poor parameters. Probably used 304 settings & it didn't cut it very well. The kerf is horrible.
The only CF MK stuff I'd use are mud guards or side skirts. Nothing structural. I did order an aluminum front A block, super basher style. I spent about 30 min hand filing the inside edge mount square so it would fit to an aluminum bulkhead. Otherwise it just rocked & didn't sit flush. They used a worn out end mill. But I worked it in & it sits perfectly now.

 

[slick2500]

Yes. Monster Kings. I agree.


Good grief! Those do look pretty unimpressive. They were water-jetted with poor parameters. Probably used 304 settings & it didn't cut it very well. The kerf is horrible.
The only CF MK stuff I'd use are mud guards or side skirts. Nothing structural. I did order an aluminum front A block, super basher style. I spent about 30 min hand filing the inside edge mount square so it would fit to an aluminum bulkhead. Otherwise it just rocked & didn't sit flush. They used a worn out end mill. But I worked it in & it sits perfectly now.

I had a set of the eBay cf shock towers, one roof lading and it was game over for the rear shock tower.

 

[332_RC]

Maybe this will work. For a while. Tried a couple different things with silicone O-rings. Tried some 6s shock ones. Little too small. These are 4.3mm ID x 9.1mm OD x 2.4mm. Doesn't bind the steering anywhere at angle or droop. They can squish. The composite end can't pop off, keeps it centered on the pivot ball. Still moves freely. See what happens.