Mini-Z, Kyosho Mini-Z Racer, MR-03, MR-02, MA-010, Forums, News, Pictures, Parts, and Shop - Mini-ZRacer.com
Forums, Mini-Z, MiniZ, Kyosho Mini-Z, Kyosho MiniZ, Kyosho Mini-Z Racer
Mini-Z Hop-Ups, Mini-Z Parts, MiniZ Hop-Ups, MiniZ Parts, Kyosho Mini-Z Hop-Ups, Kyosho Mini-Z Parts, Kyosho MiniZ Hop-Ups, Kyosho MiniZ Parts, Kyosho Mini-Z Racer Hop-Ups, Racer Kyosho Mini-Z Parts
Old 2012.01.18, 08:45 AM   #1
billysnarf
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 16
Mini Z buggy issues

OK well I am a bit frustrated at this point. I got the buggy (Lazer) last week along with some batts. Totally stock I ran about 5-6 packs through it. Loved every second. BUT then my rear diff broke. Upon inspection it was the 3 spider gears basically shredded.
So I ordered a new gear diff, which I got yesterday. I decided to put a little black grease into the diff this time (did the same thing to the front). Also I greased the slipper mechanism a bit. Anyways half way through the second pack last night, the rear diff gave up AGAIN. Took it apart and sure enough the 3 spider gears are shredded again. Now I am running this buggy stock on an 18x7 concrete track that I set up on my patio.. There were two 3-4 inch ramps also.. I was abusing not this car in any way, just trying to make consistent laps as a racer does... my point is i need to know what is causing these rear diff issues (im not bashing the hell out of this car)- just smooth driving.
Any thoughts? I am new to the mini z platform but not to r/c in any way..
Maybe I just need to suck it up and pick up an expensive ball diff? But wouldnt I really need 2 diffs?.. I mean I have no idea how the car would drive with a gear diff up front and a ball in the rear.? maybe it would be fine..Any help is very appreciated. Sorry for the long ramble. Thanks - Rob
billysnarf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012.01.18, 09:24 AM   #2
Rune
Mini-Z Norway
 
Rune's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 457
Strange.
We have been running 6 cars for a few weeks now, with 33 - 39 turn motors and stock diffs.
The only thing broken is a stub axle and a couple of driveshafts.

The same diffs are in the MA10, and I know a lot of people had issues with these diffs there, and we are surpriced that they hold up so well in the buggys.

Could it be that the chassis itself has a mold defect? Maybe the diff sits misaligned, or even that a bearing is locked?

Ball diff rear, and gear diff front works fine. No problem at all.
__________________
PN Racing Team Driver

Mini-Z Norway
Rune is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012.01.18, 09:37 AM   #3
nicov
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Paris, FR
Posts: 29
+1

You may have a locked/defective bearing on the rear, or your rear drive train may not be balanced, so the diff is always acting, and finally shredded.
You should hear the diff screaming ?

For now, you could simply run with a locked rear diff - gluing your damaged diff for instance ?
nicov is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012.01.18, 10:25 AM   #4
billysnarf
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 16
Thank you for the quick replies. FOR NOW I will glue the broken rear diff just so I can still drive the car. Will be interesting to see how it feels. BUT I am also shopping for a ball diff or two. Has anyone used the Atomic diffs? Shipping is cheap from reflex racing because they are close to me. Atomic ball diff TAR is 30.00. Cheaper than the Kyosho with shipping. I am concerned that you may get what you pay for.? Should I just go with a Kyosho ball diff instead of trying to save some money? The Kyosho is 20.00 more.
I have to find a solution because the gear diff is obviously not working out for me. I will take a very close look at the bearings after work today. There is obviously an issue somewhere that is causing the gear diff in the rear to fail.. A ball diff may just be a band-aid for the existing problem.
billysnarf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012.01.18, 10:40 AM   #5
kryten
Moderator
 
kryten's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Bletchley,UK
Posts: 1,376
Send a message via MSN to kryten
We have about 8 buggys at our club and not had this issue either. I did shim my stock diffs tho.
There's nothing wrong with the atomic ball diffs at all. They are a good low cost option.
kryten is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012.01.18, 10:58 AM   #6
billysnarf
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 16
Thx Kryten. Since this my first experience with a Mini z ball diff can you tell me what grease to use.. Generally with my 1/10 cars I use a clear lube on the diff balls/ rings and a black grease on the thrust part. Does this apply to these diffs as well. OR can I just use the Kyosho ball diff grease on everything?

Also you mentioned shims.. I will look into this possibility as well. I am assuming upon installing either ball diff I may need to use some shims. Do you know the size of these, so that I may order some? I would order my ball diff from Tiny but they are all sold out.

Thanks again for the help. - Rob
billysnarf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012.01.18, 11:46 AM   #7
kryten
Moderator
 
kryten's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Bletchley,UK
Posts: 1,376
Send a message via MSN to kryten
Personally i oil the bearing like i would any other,and use the tiniest amount on the diff balls too. I find grease too thick,but i'm sure others use it.
The diff shims are 6x8. You should get some in with your diff.
kryten is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012.01.18, 11:50 AM   #8
billysnarf
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 16
Thank you Sir.
billysnarf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012.01.23, 08:54 AM   #9
billysnarf
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 16
Well I am having another problem that maybe somebody can help me with. I somehow managed to break the main chassis at the front end.. If you take the front end of car off you see the two points where the front potion of the chassis attaches to the rest. It is here where it broke. Not sure if it was in a collision or when I was working on the front diff.. Anyways Kyosho lists the main chassis part as MB001..BUT this part ALSO comes with RC Unit 2.4GHz ASF/ICS PCB & Servo Unit Set and is listed at 169.99!! So I may end up with a 169.99 chassis! Crazy. Do you think I can buy this and sell the PCB and servo unit set?
Should I somehow contact Kyosho and see if they can just send me the Chassis? I have never dealt with Kyosho before. Should I call Kyosho America or elsewhere? I just need a main chassis! Thanks, sorry for the ramble, - Rob
billysnarf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012.01.23, 09:06 AM   #10
kryten
Moderator
 
kryten's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Bletchley,UK
Posts: 1,376
Send a message via MSN to kryten
Calling them,or your nearest kyosho dealer can't hurt. You never know they may be able to sell you just the chassis piece you need.
kryten is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012.01.23, 11:31 AM   #11
billysnarf
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 16
Just an FYI - I talked with Kyosho America this morning. They are releasing a new part # MB001-1 next month that will be the main chassis ONLY, not paired with the electronics. Good new for those who need a new chassis. In the mean time, i will attempt some sort of fix to get by.
billysnarf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012.02.09, 03:46 AM   #12
nicov
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Paris, FR
Posts: 29
Hi Billysnarf,
same problem here - broken the buggy in 2 pieces
That's what happens when you start hitting the track seriously I guess...
I just ordered MB001-1 and MB003 parts for replacement.
The main chassis is now shipping from japan
So I should get the parts sometime next week.
Hope you'll fix yours as well !
nicov is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012.02.09, 09:03 AM   #13
billysnarf
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 16
Nicov -sorry to hear, but i know how you feel. First of all I would like to know where you ordered the main chassis part from. As I could still use that part. For now though (I have 2 buggies) I think I have temporarily fixed my buggy that has broken. If you take the "front clip" off the car you see the front of the chassis connects the middle in 3 places. Two on each outside edge (either of these is where it breaks first) and one one connection in the middle. My buggy was broken on the outside and in the middle. One of the sides was still intact, therefore the whole chassis was not completely broken into two separate parts.. Hard to explain sorry. I took a piece of plastic and cut it into a square and mounted it to the bottom of the car using 4 screws. This piece acts as a brace that holds the front clip potion of the chassis to the rest. The car now works perfectly and the fix seems very strong. If I was not at work I would show pics.. ANYWAYS- I still would like a new chassis to fix it the right way.
Glad to hear you have the new part coming.
billysnarf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012.03.01, 12:04 AM   #14
Tzei
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 3
I have had Mini-Z Buggy now few months and I´m disappointed to the chassis quality. Chassis is so weak that just minor crash to the wall and chassis is broken behind front tires. What should I do? Cannot find and upgrade part to solve this problem. I´m tired to buy new chassis every week. First chassis I bought was with electronics and was damn expensive... If someone has solved this problem please help. Some pics maybe?
Tzei is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012.03.01, 02:04 AM   #15
oXYnary
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tzei View Post
I have had Mini-Z Buggy now few months and I´m disappointed to the chassis quality. Chassis is so weak that just minor crash to the wall and chassis is broken behind front tires. What should I do? Cannot find and upgrade part to solve this problem. I´m tired to buy new chassis every week. First chassis I bought was with electronics and was damn expensive... If someone has solved this problem please help. Some pics maybe?
What motor are you using? A mod? I have taken a few good hits to the front end without destroying it.

Are you using the wide front bumper from the optima? I found going to that helped lower front end damage.
oXYnary is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Mini Z buggy...first glances Bung-drew Mini-Z Buggy MB-010 8 2011.11.02 06:09 AM
RR Parts for mini z buggy? d1nzfe Reflex Racing 2 2011.10.31 12:10 PM
Its About Time A Mini 1/28 Buggy Is Made!!! bluegrooveracer iWaver 29 2006.08.14 01:25 PM
old mini Kyosho buggy gulfclk Parts and Hop-ups 17 2005.04.12 08:23 PM
Mini Z vs Colt Mini Justin Miscellaneous Discussion 71 2002.01.18 07:31 AM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:29 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2011 Mini-ZRacer.com
Mini Inferno Sale - Up to $85 Instant Savings!
Micro-T Hop-Ups
RC18R, M18, Micro RS4, Mini-LST, TamTech-Gear, Minizilla, RC18T, RC18B, RC18MT
shop.tinyrc.com Products

more»
Tiny RC Community News
[03/22/17] MZR was on vacation, didn't... : All kidding aside, the host experienced a bit of a server meltdown last week and efforts to restore the site to a new server took longer than anticipated. The current server is temporary until - more»
[11/25/15] Did You Hear? Our Black... : Hey Racers,
We're getting started a bit early with our Black Friday sale this year.  Generally we're not supporters of retailers opening early on Thanksgiving, but in our case, we're - more»
[06/30/15] shop.tinyrc.com: Have You... : Hey All! Just a quick reminder to everyone that we post all of our shop.tinyrc.com Newletters here on the MZR Forum. If for some reason you miss them in your email inbox, you can always see the - more»
Mini-Z, Mini-Z Racer, MR-02, MA-010
M18, M18T, RC18T, Mini-LST, Mini-T, Micro RS4, XRay, 1/18, 18th scale
XMODS, XMOD, Micro Flight, ZipZaps, ZipZaps SE, Bit Char-G, MicroSizers, TTTT, Plantraco Desktop Rover, SuperSlicks, Digi Q
Mini Inferno, Mini Inferno ST, half EIGHT, 1/16, 16th scale
Epoch, Indoor Racer, 1/43, 43rd scale
E-Savage, eSavage, eZilla, e-Zilla, HPI
Robots, Bots, Bipeds, Wheeled, Manoi, Roomba, NXT, Lego, Hacking
Crawling, Crawlers, Micro, RC, Losi Mini-Rock Crawler, Duratrax Cliff Climber
Kyosho Minium, Caliber 120, Minium Forums
Mini-Z Hop-Ups, Mini-Z Parts, Mini Inferno Hop-Ups, Mini Inferno Parts, M18 Hop-Ups, M18 Parts