Maintaining Your Model - Traxxas 85086-4 Owner's Manual

MAINTAINING YOUR MODEL

Your model requires timely maintenance in order to stay in top
running condition. The following procedures should be taken
very seriously.
Frequently inspect the vehicle for obvious damage or wear.
Look for:
1. Cracked, bent, or damaged parts
2. Check the wheels and steering for binding.
3. Check the operation of the shock absorbers.
4. Check the wiring for any frayed wires or loose connections.
5. Check the mounting of the receiver and servo(s) and
speed control.
6. Check the tightness of the wheel nuts with a wrench.
7. Check the operation of the radio system, especially the condition of
the batteries.
8. Check for any loose screws in the chassis structure
or suspension.
9. Check the operation of the steering servo and ensure that it is
not binding.
10. Inspect the gears for wear, broken teeth, or debris lodged between
the teeth.
Other periodic maintenance:
• Chassis: Be sure to keep the motor and ESC free of grass, dirt and
grime to be sure to keep the components cool for optimal run
times and temperatures.
• Suspension: Periodically inspect the model for signs of damage,
such as bent or dirty suspension pins, damaged toe links, loose
screws, and any signs of stress or bending. Replace components as
needed.
• Steering: Over time, you may notice increased looseness in the
steering system. The toe links may wear out from use (part #8547).
Replace these components as needed to restore factory tolerances.
• Shocks: Keep the oil level in the shocks full. Use only 100%
pure silicone shock oil to prolong the life of the seals. If you are
experiencing leakage around the top of the shock, inspect the
bladder in the top cap for signs of damage or distortion from
overtightening. If the bottom of the shock is leaking, then it is time
for a rebuild. The Traxxas rebuild kits for two shocks is part #8455
and #7468X.
• Driveline: Inspect driveshafts to make sure the drive pins are not
cracked or extremely worn. Additional driveline noise can occur if
the driveline components are worn out. Remove the gear cover.
Inspect the spur gear for wear and check the tightness of the set
screws in the pinion gears. Tighten, clean, or replace components
as needed.
• Torque-biasing Center Drive Unit: The Unlimited Desert Racer is
equipped with a torque-biasing center drive unit. The drive unit
can be rebuilt, but it requires a detailed maintenance procedure
and the use of 1M weight differential oil (part #5042). For additional
information and how-to videos, please visit Traxxas.com.
• Rear Drivetrain and Transmission Gears: Periodically inspect
the gears and bearings for damage or excessive wear. Remove,
disassemble, clean, and re-grease the components. Remove, clean,
and re-oil the bearings. Replace components as needed.
• Rear Center Driveshaft: Frequently inspect the rear center
driveshaft for wear. Apply small amounts of high-performance
grease (part #5041) at the pin location on each end of the
driveshaft. Make sure no parts are excessively worn or
deteriorated. Replace the driveshaft assembly if damaged.
• Transmission Output Shaft: The rear transmission output shaft is
greased for a smooth fit to the bearings. Also, there is an x-ring seal
installed to keep the grease from coming out of the transmission.
Periodically check to be sure the x-ring is in place. Add grease to
the shaft when necessary.
Storage
When you are through running the model for the day, blow it off
with compressed air or use a soft bristled paint brush to dust off the
vehicle. Always disconnect and remove the battery from the model
whenever the model is stored. If the model will be stored for a long
time, also remove the batteries from the transmitter.
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DESERT RACER • 29