Mini E-Revo MERV Chassis Brace?

[jpoprock]

Hey guys... apparently I'm not the only one this has happened to... but recently I was jumping the little guy gingerly around the yard, and snapped my rear bulkhead and chassis in half. Nothing brutal either. It was totally unexpected!! It appears there are a couple different options to remedy this.

A. Don't jump the MERV ever.

B. Buy The Toyz delrin rear chassis brace.

C. Buy the T-Bone chassis brace (and maybe the bumpers and wheelie bar for good measure).

So... what do you guys think? I'm not sure ANY of it is a good option really. I think the best option might be the T-Bone chassis tray, but it seems rather unsightly looking.

It's strange though how if you so much as look at a MERV wrong, the rear bulk and chassis snap in half!

Thanks!
Jason

[Semi Pro]

just use a tie rod from the rear shock mount to the wing mount, cheep and easy fix, just like the 1/10 scale revo

A MERV tie rod or you need one from something else?

[E-Revonut]

whatever rod is the right length! On the full size revo I was able to use a Revo push rod tube, I have no idea on the mini though

[Semi Pro]

Originally Posted by Duster_360

A MERV tie rod or you need one from something else?

end to end it is 60mm, im not sure what the tunbuckle im useing came off of, looks like a tamiya car (ta05 or ta03 mostlikely...........maybe m03 )

you will also need longer screws, that depends on what rod ends you use

[jpoprock]

Ok, I'll look for one. But Is this theory just a guess? Because I don't remember people snapping their chassis and rear bulks in half on the full scale Revo. I thought the rod mod (ha!) was to help prevent breaking rear towers?

It doesn't seem like a rod will stop the rear from snapping, but then again, it just might prevent the flex from doing just that?

I think I have some steel rods/buckles from my Pede/Rusty. I'll look and report back! Thanks!

Jason

It was a combination of bracing the rear mount and the chassis,there was a pic around somewhere of a revo after a REALLY hard landing and the support was bent at about 30 degrees,it pretty much summed up that the chassis flex to remain durable, but sometmes it's just not up to bashing standards--Josh

[jpoprock]

Originally Posted by bigsteel

It was a combination of bracing the rear mount and the chassis,there was a pic around somewhere of a revo after a REALLY hard landing and the support was bent at about 30 degrees,it pretty much summed up that the chassis flex to remain durable, but sometmes it's just not up to bashing standards--Josh

Josh... one typo and I'm lost. What are you talking about, when you say "it pretty much summed up that the chassis flex to remain durable...." Did you mean to say "chassis needs flex"? In the case of the MERV... there isn't really any flex. If there is more than just a little, the back end of the truck snaps in two, bulks and all.

[Semi Pro]

Originally Posted by jpoprock

Josh... one typo and I'm lost. What are you talking about, when you say "it pretty much summed up that the chassis flex to remain durable...." Did you mean to say "chassis needs flex"? In the case of the MERV... there isn't really any flex. If there is more than just a little, the back end of the truck snaps in two, bulks and all.

the chassis does need flex.............just not there


the rod will help alot but the best thing you can do is learn what brakes it and how to land so that you dont

Sorry,I'm trying to type off an iPhone and I'm obviously not very good at it.I meant to say the chassis needs to flex (atleast on the larger scales) for durabilitys sake. I could be wrong though but in any case, the tie rod mod should help atleast a little--Josh

[jpoprock]

Yes, I agree that the chassis has to flex a little. Not to be a smart ass... But yeah, figuring out what causes the chassis to snap would be a good idea! ;)

My point is that there is something specific to this design that makes it unusually EASY to do.

its traxxas,what did you expect? LOL,all kidding aside,why not try some Al skids,tierod mod,or some other bracing as a quick fix? if none of that works,id just try adjusting your driving style to suit its weak rear bulk --josh

[jpoprock]

Yes sir. I have the Full Force F/R skids, but not the center skid plate. Annodiyzed shock shafts, black springs, alum rods and links, etc. I had jumped with it, but the jumps weren't anything spectacular. I certainly didn't expect the damage that was done, that's for sure. Unless the Delrin rear brace, or the under carriage skid works, the rule of thumb should be "jump at your own risk" with this truck. Heck even my MiniT's are stronger than this thing! It's a shame too, cuz they are pretty fun little trucks. Crazy fast on 3s and they handle great.

[Semi Pro]

Originally Posted by jpoprock

Yes, I agree that the chassis has to flex a little. Not to be a smart ass... But yeah, figuring out what causes the chassis to snap would be a good idea! ;)

My point is that there is something specific to this design that makes it unusually EASY to do.

it snaps because the bulkhead should be longer and mount to a point on the chassis with more structure than a 2.5mm thick piece of plastic, but because the battery box is so long there isn't room, it a major flaw even on the 1/10 scale and right now the best fix is a for sale sign.

on my 1/10 scale platinum conversion i an using a one piece titanium skid plate plus a rod and i haven't broken a rear bulkhead but i have stripped out afew shock mount screws so i know I'm coming close (the fix for that is brass inserts)



three other things you can do

use rpm arms and heavier shock springs and fluid and let the arm take up alittle of the flex and reduce bottoming out wich is the main cause of brakeages.

the second is reduce the weight of the truck, lighter batterys and lighter wheels and tires will go along way in makeing everything last longer not just reduceing stress on the read bulkhead.

theird boil the bulk heads, this will soften them alittle and let them flex more before brakeing

[jpoprock]

"Is that a pickle in yer pocket or are you just happy to see me?"

Neither... I just noticed yer skid plate! Where did u get that!? It's awesome! I bet it won't fit on an ERBE will it? Funny... I've never broken a chassis or a bulk on my ERBE (knock on wood). That being said, I'm not an extreme jumper either. I rarely will even do flips. Why? Well because it takes a bit of feel and practice, and I hate breaking stuff to do that. So I stick with low, long jumps and rarely wreck or break anything.

That being said, I think I'm gonna build a nice stunt ramp, and use my trampoline as a cushion. That way I can practice without breaking stuff! I have also thought of a way to string either a net or a tarp in a giant square about 3ft off the ground to do the same thing. If it's plush enough, I'll be able to do bombastic ariels and not break "much".

Say what you will, but that's how moto guys practice. Or, how about a tethered swing mounted to the sides of the truck? Ha!

Boiling bulkheads... That's a cool idea. I want to do the "rod mod" to my ERBE but keep forgetting to find out how long the turnbuckle should be. I sure do like that skid u have though!

Thanks for the info!

J