Diff ball upgrade

[Colinevan]

Having heard my diffs after racing, i realise that a sensible mod is to upgrade (501x) lol.

What size of balls do i need? also do i need to upgrade the thrust race balls?

Any reccomendations?

Thanks.

Col.

[jimmy]

The thrust balls are fine - don't worry about those. The best option for the main diff balls are something like the 3mm Ceramic balls from Kanzen Racing - these make a huge difference. We chewed up the diff plates badly before switching to the KANZEN ceramics on the 501X - so far it's been smooth and trouble free.

[TRF_Tastic]

I'll second that Jimmy, its been soo much better with the ceramic balls in no need to tear the diff down every meeting.

[BORMAC]

Could I get a link to Kanzen racing for these diff balls please?

[TRF_Tastic]

Hey dude ask and you shall receive http://www.oople.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2551

[djduncaz]

not sure if im alowed to say i got mine from ACER Racing $12.99 with free postage

[stefke]

I'll second the Kanzen ceramic diff balls. I have trouble free diffs now.

[Colinevan]

Just ordered a new replacement bearing set for when they need replacing and also the much needed ceramic balls.

Thanks guys.

Will keep you posted in how they perform.

Col.

[Colinevan]

Wow, new ceramics and bearings arrived within 4 days.


I'll also keep an update on how they perform.

Col.

[jimmy]

Just rebuilt my rear diff - was in a bit of a state I have to say.



It's done a few meetings, Tiverton, Bury, Southport etc.. It was actually still very smooth with the (kanzen) ceramic balls, but looked a bit horrific - still being as lazy as I am I only rebuilt it because I was cleaning the car up for some photos this weekend.


Aaaaanyway, I've seen those 'diff covers' that you can apparently buy, so I quickly made my own on the plotter. The sizes I did are 35 outer 21mm inner diameter. I could have come in tighter on the diff halves I guess.
Leigh or Colin, if you want some you're more than welcome to a few sets for all your help.

I've got no idea how effective these would be, but might be worth a try - though maybe I should have done them in a fancy colour just to stand out from the crowd! ?

[BORMAC]

I also made a set of my own decal sheilds and Im glad I did cause without them these diffs have a very short life expectancy.Although with mine I actually made mine fit alot tighter to the diff out drive and I also trimmed a smaller circumfrance out of the decal backer paper and stuck the slippery side towards the centre of the diff.These should stop alot of debris getting into the diffs.Next time I pull them down I'll get a few picks up too.

[jimmy]

I guess if you smear a bit of grease on the outdrives then you wouldn't even need to do what you did with the paper? I'll see how this goes and maybe make some with smaller inner diameter

[omen1975]

Originally Posted by jimmy

Just rebuilt my rear diff - was in a bit of a state I have to say.



It's done a few meetings, Tiverton, Bury, Southport etc.. It was actually still very smooth with the (kanzen) ceramic balls, but looked a bit horrific - still being as lazy as I am I only rebuilt it because I was cleaning the car up for some photos this weekend.


Aaaaanyway, I've seen those 'diff covers' that you can apparently buy, so I quickly made my own on the plotter. The sizes I did are 35 outer 21mm inner diameter. I could have come in tighter on the diff halves I guess.
Leigh or Colin, if you want some you're more than welcome to a few sets for all your help.

I've got no idea how effective these would be, but might be worth a try - though maybe I should have done them in a fancy colour just to stand out from the crowd! ?

Hi guys,

Whilst building a 501x for a friend I was a bit concerned about the dirt in the diff problem, my thoughts on sealing this was to find an o-ring that would fit over the gap between the outer edge of the outdrive and the pulley (covering the gap that exposes the diff balls). You will need a slight bit of even pressure on the o-ring whilst running a small amount of superglue on the inner side of the o-ring glueing it to the outdrive (careful not to let superglue run into the diff), you will also need a small amount of diff lube on the pulley side of the o-ring as it will be rubbing on the pulley. You may even be able to glue the o-ring whilst the outdrive is apart.

Anyway Hope this helps and let us know if it works : )

omen1975

[KyoshoK]

hey guys, i know the thrust bearing is not required for the ceramics, but i would like to upgrade it anyways.... anyone know what size it is and how many i need??

thanks

[Lplate]

Sorry for being such a newbie, but how do we clean the differentials and bearings in general? Is using the spray stuff that nitro offroad drivers use to clean their buggies ok?

[jimmy]

That's what I use when I have it - otherwise lighter fluid and / or fairy liquid.

I think the tamiya thrust bearing is a good one as long as you keep it lubed - it's not easy to lube though.

[chrispattinson]

With the 37 tooth diff pulley, should I be using more diff balls, or just space them out??

Should I use diff plates that have a bigger external diameter?

[jimmy]

12 balls I think - yes you need more. Diameter is the same afaik - use the original plates.

[chrispattinson]

Cheers Jimmy.