STRC Rear Hexes

[ssmiljanic]

Hey there,

Just thought I would post a caution about these rear hexes. Switched out stock aluminum for STRC rear red hexes with STRC rear carriers. Lost 4 wheel nuts and stripped two tires. Took it all apart and switched back and forth btw stock and STRC hex, and STRC hex clearly binding on both sides. Tried washers on both sides of the hub and pre and post hex pin...still binding (even worse). Stock hexes though, smooth as butter even when the wheel nut is locked down. If just one side, then perhaps a manufacturing anomaly...but occurred on both sides even when strc hexes switched back and forth. If anyone has a better experience with these hexes please reply. The carriers are great, just the hexes are the issue. Stupid me trying to get everything in matching red...even a hex which no one sees when buried in the wheel!

 

[ajdragon]

Hi

First are you still using the stock wheel nuts? If so you might want to consider replaceing them with locking nuts that you can get at a hardware store for around 20 cents each. As for the hexes it sounds like there too thick, try this to confirm if this is true. First remove the dog drive shaft, then put the STRC hex back on "without any washers" and then put the tire back on, and then tigten it down. Now try spinning the tire, if it spins freely then it is not the STRC hex, but if it does not spin freely your STRC hexs are no good and you should contact STRC and let them know.

 

[ssmiljanic]

Hi

First are you still using the stock wheel nuts? If so you might want to consider replaceing them with locking nuts that you can get at a hardware store for around 20 cents each. As for the hexes it sounds like there too thick, try this to confirm if this is true. First remove the dog drive shaft, then put the STRC hex back on "without any washers" and then put the tire back on, and then tigten it down. Now try spinning the tire, if it spins freely then it is not the STRC hex, but if it does not spin freely your STRC hexs are no good and you should contact STRC and let them know.

Hi Aj,

Unfortunately I think it's the hex. Disassembled them so I had just the carrier in my hand, and used a plastic spacer instead of the wheel so I could see the binding. Strc bind, stock nil binding even when the nut was max tight.

On the Traxxas site there are some references to aftermarket hexs (not necessarily STRC) being too thick and needing to be dremeled down. I agree, I think this is the issue. Thankfully, the rear
hexes stock are aluminum and so this is really just a bling part (unnecessary). Just wanted people to not ruin bearings and tires trying to put on these hexes.

I will try and post a video.

 

[ajdragon]

Hi

Just make sure you never miss align the axle pln I had one of the stock hexes snap in half because I didn't have the axle pin 100% centered when I tightened the wheel down.

 

[ssmiljanic]

Yup, agree that's a no no. Wish that were the case. Emailed strc, will see what they say.

 

[Bri26]

Do you have the right ones since the front and rear hexes are different. Looking at the STRC hexes they look to be exact copies of the originals. The rear hexes have an extended lip and the front hexes are flat (thinner).

Best regards,
Brian

 

[ssmiljanic]

Yes, I am running the rears with the extended lip...but I think the lip is slightly thicker than stock. Initially thought it was my tires (badlands 2.8) but bind with stock. Are you running these without issue. It would be helpful to hear from anyone if they are.

 

[Bri26]

I actually did have an issue installing one of the rear STRC hexes but it was due to the axle pin hole being off center. The stock plastic one fit okay on that axle since it can flex, the STRC aluminum one doesn't give at all so I couldn't get it on. I ended up getting another rear axle and it fit fine so the issue was the ARRMA part being off rather than the STRC hex.

Best regards,
Brian

 

[ssmiljanic]

Interesting. If you are speaking about the rear stub axles....mine are pretty new and the binding occurs on both sides. Binding only occurred when I switched from stock hex to STRC. Possible I have 2 bad stub axles, but then not sure why they work perfectly well now that I have switched back to stock hex.

Just to reiterate, I am though using the STRC rear hub carriers. They are not the same as the plastic arrma stock carriers...they have a much larger outer bearing. Perhaps it is an issue isolated to the STRC aluminum hubs. I can't check as I think I threw out my plastic ones. Again though, you would think STRC parts would be MORE compatible with other STRC parts.

Albeit a very minor and cheap upgrade, binding can cause lots of issues. As mentioned in my previous posts, I stripped out 2 hexes on my brand spankin new badlands, and lost multiple nuts (stock and serrated). Not to mention what can happen to drivetrain and engine temps when running with binding.

 

[TheMightyAtom]

I ordered a set of these for front and rear just the other day. I'll test then out and see what sort of results I get. I like that they have the little screws to keep them on the axle, but if they do indeed cause binding, I won't use them. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[ssmiljanic]

Let me know, I'm sorry I didn't post a video. Life just gets busy. They definitely were binding where the stock ones were not. They do look pretty though

 

[TheMightyAtom]

Let me know, I'm sorry I didn't post a video. Life just gets busy. They definitely were binding where the stock ones were not. They do look pretty though

So I finally finished my Granite BLX transmission upgrade and captured rods ends upgrade last night. To top it off, I added the STRC hexes. They work totally fine. The wheels spin great with no binding. Perhaps it was just a manufacturing error in the parts you received?

I love these new hexes. We'll see how they hold up in the next few weeks of bashing.

 

[ssmiljanic]

Are you using the strc rear hub carrier? Again they use a different size outer bearing than stock.

 

[TheMightyAtom]

Are you using the strc rear hub carrier? Again they use a different size outer bearing than stock.

Yep, I'm using the STRC aluminum rear hub carriers. It seems to me like everything fits fine.

Are you sure they use a different size outer bearing? I just transferred my stock bearings over --- everything seems to fit.

I might take another look at it when I get home today, but I'm pretty sure I just swapped out the plastic carriers for the STRC ones without any issues.

I guess we'll find out for certain after a few more bash sessions.

 

[Bri26]

I just recently installed the STRC front hexes on my Fury and found them to work better than the stock plastic ones. The front wheels seem to spin better where the stock plastic hex would flex if you tighten the front wheel nut too tight causing the front wheels to not spin as freely.

Best regards,
Brian