DB01 Wide Operating Angle Universal Shaft

[cloakable]

Has anyone tried these? (#54118 front, #54119 rear). Looks tempting, as I do like to pour on the power when getting out of corners, and I usually have full lock applied at that point!

[Spoolio]

Nah, was interested in them until I found out they have to be used in conjunction with skinny bearings (950's I think) and me and skinny bearings don't get on at all. It's a really dumb retrograde design feature in my humble opinion.

[DaveG28]

I've tried them, did a steering spindle after 2 runs, have only just had spares arrive. They seemed ok, car was a rocket, but had only just built the car so can't say how they compare.

I really don't know why they use skinny bearings, but it looks to me like they would also work with the normal parts, it has me baffled!

[cloakable]

Hmm, still fairly tempted! Also, the kit bearings seem to be 8x5x2.5 - or 850 in other words! I would have thought 950 would be either thicker or the same.

[dimblum]

I have been tempted to try these too.. Hopefully someone can compare them to the existing CVD's.

[Spoolio]

Originally Posted by cloakable

Hmm, still fairly tempted! Also, the kit bearings seem to be 8x5x2.5 - or 850 in other words! I would have thought 950 would be either thicker or the same.

I don't know what the "name" is for the kit hub bearings - they just look like the ones we've been putting in Tamiya's for ever, but I do know they definately aren't 850's. If you look at your car, see the steering rack bronze bushes? They are 850 size.

[cloakable]

Originally Posted by Spoolio

I don't know what the "name" is for the kit hub bearings - they just look like the ones we've been putting in Tamiya's for ever, but I do know they definately aren't 850's. If you look at your car, see the steering rack bronze bushes? They are 850 size.

I know! I have a set of real 850 bearings in there instead. And ah yes, the manual corrects me - the wheel bearings are 1050, not 850!

[cloakable]

It may work with the TRF hop-up shocks too - at least it's listed as an option for the TRF501X!

[simoncrabb]

This thread has confused me now!

So I have TRF shocks on my Durga, so which universal shafts do I get for the front?

I'm not keen on running 950 bearings in the front, mainly incase I break the hub - I can't work out what the replacement part for the hubs that come with the WO universals is?

The question is, can I use the normal universals on the front with TRFs?

[T4miy4 Guy]

I use these with TRF Dampers (54016/54015) but yet to test and set up correctly, the only thing i`ve found is the rear dampers need o-rings fitting to stop the drive shafts popping out on jumps! other than that i`ve been running these universals from the start with no issues!

Hope this helps

Andy

[simoncrabb]

Yep, that helps Andy, I thought that might be the case, the fronts fit okay, cos the TRFs aren't much different to kit shocks, but the rears are longer so either WO ones on the rear, or spacers in the rear shocks.

[MRD]

If you want to set up the shocks properly then dont bother with spacers to limit the travel, get an atomic carbon rear tower with the holes for the trf dampers. Yes its about £19 posted BUT its worth every penny. When I use spacers the preload was too much on the standard length springs. If you look at the db01R it looks like it has different colour bodies so they're possibly shorter dampers which would also solve the problems.

[DCM]

if you run the TRF shocks on the rear, you have to remove the pre-load collar to get the correct ride height, on the Tamiya springs, I run B4 springs on mine, currently, plus the Atomic Carbon tower.

[T4miy4 Guy]

Thanks for the info here! I`ve just ordered the atomic rear tower

Cheers Andy

[simoncrabb]

Yep, I've got Atomic towers on the way.

So with TRF shocks, and atomic towers, the 'normal' universals will work okay front and rear?

[DCM]

I don't thinkn that the Wide Opening driveshafts are any longer, would have to get some and see, if they allow more droop, ace, but you would still have issue getting rear ride height on the stock tower.

[T4miy4 Guy]

Originally Posted by simoncrabb

Yep, I've got Atomic towers on the way.

So with TRF shocks, and atomic towers, the 'normal' universals will work okay front and rear?

Yeh that would be my setup and it seems ok (i think!)

Good luck Andy

[Fredrik Emilsson]

I have raced the TRF511 this summer and there is no problem with the front 950 ball bearings. (TRF511 has the WO universals)
I have raced it on bumpy tracks and on tracks with big jumps.

BTW, the new suspension arms (high traction) are stronger than i thought. I´ve anly broken one front arm and that was when I hit a steel pole at full speed.
The new drive belts (reinforced) are ace. I´ve ran more than 70 batterys without changing the drive belts or pulleys.

[AaronR]

OFF TOPIC:

Do you think the 950 inner front hub bearing would be 5x9x3 as listed here on Avid's bearing website? http://www.avidrc.com/shop/index.php...ct_detail&p=32 After building my 511, I just do not remember if that 950 bearing is narrower than the 1050 (which is definately Avid's 5x10x4 bearing shown here... http://www.avidrc.com/shop/index.php...ct_detail&p=20 )

I have used the $1 Avid bearings and they are great bearings for the price!

Lastly, I purchased the 10x15x4 bearings that go into the circular belt tensioners and I do not know why! They are always smooth when I check them and simply do NOT wear out!

[peetbee]

The inner bearing is definitely 3mm depth.
I'll measure my WO driveshafts when I get me car apart tomorrow and post the dimensions, can someone do the same for the standard CVD?