Tutorial Blog
Vintage Team Losi XX Gearbox Rebuild
A vintage double X Team Losi is a rare gem nowadays, as most vintage RCs are. If you happen to be fortunate enough to get ahold of one of these models, either by luck or by tenacity, you will know just how beautiful a sight these models are and how much it takes to preserve them.
From its parts to its overall style, everything is a window to a bygone era, making each and every bit of it important. Preserving it is not an easy task, but with the right guidance and a whole lot of hard work, you can bring your RC back to life (or keep it looking alive!) Here is the vintage Team Losi XX gearbox rebuild tutorial:
Summary
- A Step-by-Step Guide In Rebuilding A Vintage Team Losi XX Gearbox
- Vintage Team Losi XX Gearbox Rebuild Guide
- Watch it in action!
A Step-by-Step Guide In Rebuilding A Vintage Team Losi XX Gearbox
For this rebuild, make sure to give yourself an ample amount of time to finish the task. Roll up your sleeves and follow this tutorial on how to rebuild a vintage Team Losi XX gearbox:
Materials you will need:
- Screwdriver
- Cleaning brush
- Towel/Rag/Cloth
- MIP tools (If available)
- WD40
- Moly grease
- Diff grease
Vintage Team Losi XX Gearbox Rebuild Guide
Step 1: Remove the Body & Antenna
Using a screwdriver, carefully remove the vintage RC body shell, of course not forgetting to remove the external antenna tube first; detach it by unscrewing it from the chassis mount point. For modern RC cars, forgetting about the antenna tube is not a concern; unlike old vintage cars, modern RCs no longer have a separate external antenna tube.
Step 2: Remove the Motor
Then, with the body out of the way, remove the motor with caution, keeping in mind the spur gear that is still meshed with the motor pinion gear. No need to unsolder the motor; all you need is clear access to the transmission and drivetrain.
Step 3: Disassemble the Slipper Unit
Take apart the slipper unit, namely the nut, spring collar, slipper spring, and thrust unit, by unthreading the lock nut to loosen the assembly. Then, remove the spring collar that provides stiffness to the slipper and pull out the slipper spring that presses the pad against the color spur gear. At this point, the thrust bearing and the clutch pad should come out as a single unit.
Step 4: Inspect the Hybrid Drive
Now, inspect the hybrid fluid torque converter that is still on the spur gear shaft. Check if there is any oil leakage and see if there is any damage to the seal. And, while you are doing that, make sure to also wipe off the oily residue from the spur gear teeth that latch onto the hybrid drive units. The hybrid drive acts like an automatic transmission and provides fluid coupling.
Step 5: Split the Transmission Case
Using a hex driver, remove the case screws holding the transmission case together, carefully separate the two halves of the transmission, and inspect the gears, shafts, and bearings while the case is open. With everything out in the open, you will be able to see if your vintage RC has been well-maintained over the years and if the components have minimal metallic wear debris.
Step 6: Remove the Differentials
Now that you have access to the diffs, unscrew the bolts fastening the diff case. Take note of the order of the diffs for when they are going to be reinstalled later on before sliding out the differential. Have a good look at the gear teeth to see if everything is in order; ideally, they should be smooth and shiny if they have minimal wear. Check the diffs as well to see if they produce any noise that may indicate slipping or damage.
Step 7: Disassemble the Differentials
Remove the thrust bearing from the diffs along with the shims to adjust the internal preload. Pull the ball bearings off the output shaft ends and allow them to slide out of the diff case. Now, push out the center diffs’ adjusting screw for the preload on the diff balls. With the screw removed, the spring washers, provided with preload tension, will now come out. You can now proceed to inspect the balls (which are supposed to be shiny) along with the gear teeth.
Step 8: Clean the Differential Components
Soak any rag, cloth, or towel in WD-40 degreaser to wipe down the components and give the diff balls, gears, output shafts, and washers a good clean and polish. This step is done in order to remove the old lubricants and any dirt debris that might be sticking around.
Step 9: Reassemble the Differentials
With the components all cleaned out, reassemble the spring washers and diff balls in their cases and add some Moly grease in the thrust unit. Use silicon-based grease or any diff grease for the diff balls, making sure that all the holes are filled and a nice little barrier and cushion for the balls are created. Then, tighten the center adjusting screw to set a precise preload on the diff balls.
Step 10: Clean and Lubricate the Idle Gear
Wipe the idler gear shaft with a rag and a cleaning solvent before applying lithium-based grease to the shaft to prepare for reinstalling. Then, seal the transmission case with grease to prevent the entrance of any dirt and debris.
Step 11: Assemble the Components
In case the layshaft and the diffs inside the case are in proper order, Make sure that it is rotating smoothly without binding when making its rounds. Sand the slipper clutch plate in 1200-grit sandpaper and replace the seal for the thrust bearing parts, repacking some Moly grease while you are at it. Then, bolt the motor back to the transmission case and test if the diffs and the slipper unit are assembled well. Adjust the diff’s preload and the slipper unit’s tightness as needed.
Step 12: Finishing Touches
With the hard part out of the way, all that is left is to attach the motor plate and chassis, along with the body wheels and tires. Then, finally, perform your final radio calibration and testing before officially finishing up. And, if you want, you can also perform some tests before putting it back on the shelf or racing it on the track for good measure.
Watch it in action!
Still a bit confused? Watch Brett as he walks you through the process on how to rebuild a vintage RC gearbox in our video down below.
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