Adjusting Your Model - Traxxas STAMPEDE 4x4 BRUSHLESS Manual

ADJUSTING YOUR MODEL

Once you become familiar with driving your model, you might need
to make adjustments for better driving performance.
Adjusting Gear Mesh
Incorrect gear mesh is the most common cause of stripped spur
gears. Stampede 4X4 Brushless makes improper gear mesh virtually
impossible. A factory installed fixed gear adapter helps set the
proper gear mesh for the pinion and spur gear. Access the gears by
removing the single screw on the top gear cover.
If you choose to do so, you can also
set the gear mesh manually without
using the fixed gear adapter. With the
adapter removed, loosen the motor
screw. Cut a narrow strip of notebook
paper and run it into the gear mesh.
Slide the motor and pinion gear into
the spur gear. Retighten the motor
screw, and then remove the strip of paper. You should be able to run
a fresh strip of paper through the gears without binding them.
Shock Mounting Positions
Big bumps and rough terrain require a softer suspension with the
maximum possible suspension travel and ride height. Racing on
a prepared track or on-road use requires a lower ride height and
firmer, more progressive suspension settings. The more progressive
suspension settings help reduce body roll (increased roll stiffness),
dive during braking, and squat during acceleration.
The suspension of your model has been set up for off-road
performance (position 2 on the front suspension arms and position
3 on the rear suspension arms). If you plan on driving on hard
surfaces, the following changes should be made:
1. Move the front shocks
to position 3 on the
suspension arms.
2. Move the rear shocks to
position 4 or 5 on the
suspension arms.
3. Add additional preload
spacers.
4. Position 1 is not
recommended for the
rear shocks.
Fixed Gear
Adapter
Fine Tuning the Shocks
The four shocks on the model greatly
influence its handling. Whenever you
rebuild your shocks, or make any changes
to the pistons, springs, or oil, always make
changes to them in pairs (front or rear).
Piston selection depends on the range of
oil viscosities that you have available. For
example, using a two-hole piston with a
light-weight oil will, at one point, give you
Strip of
Paper
the same damping as a three-hole piston
with heavier oil.
We recommend using the two-hole
pistons with a range of oil viscosities from
10W to 50W (available from your hobby
Motor
Screw
shop). The thinner viscosity oils (30W or
less) flow more smoothly and are more
consistent, while thicker oils provide more damping. Use only 100%
pure silicone shock oil to prolong seal life. From the factory, shock
oil is set to 50W in the front and rear shocks.
The model's ride height can be adjusted by adding or removing the
clip-on, spring preload spacers. Adjust the ride height so that the
suspension arms are slightly above being parallel to the ground.
Observe how the model handles in turns. Proper setup will add stability
and help prevent spin outs. Experiment with different springs and
shock oils to find what works best for your current track conditions.
Rear toe-in can be adjusted
using accessory rear axle
carriers, part #1952X. These
can add or remove 1.5° toe
per side, for a total of 0 to 3
degrees per side.
Preload
Spacer
RUSTLER 4X4 • 23