Kagama Punisher 4S factory glued steering assembly?

[psychopat]

Hi, as I mentioned in my previous post, I have had quite a bit of bad luck with my first TC so far. The servo saver broke in half within 2 to 3 minutes of use, right out of the box.

I have now received an aluminum servo saver, but the steering assembly, which should normally just lift up, is completely jammed.

I tried prying it up from underneath, tapping the center of the bearing to loosen it, and even heating it with my hot air station, but nothing works. It feels like the bearings were either glued in or pressed in too tightly. You can see the video here:

I was wondering if anyone has run into a similar issue. What should have been a simple task has turned into a real pain.

I also loosened the two screws from underneath, but without being able to hold the top of the steering posts, they just spin.
Any tips would be appreciated, was hoping to have it running again but I guess it wont be today.

Thanks!

 

[danl]

The steering assembly lifts off those posts. I’m sorry you are having difficulty. You will need to try prying underneath the arms at the base of the chassis. Try to apply even pressure from two sides. Sometimes the factory applied loctite gets over applied and locks the bearings in place.

 

[Nelson.81]

Could use set of grips to hold bottom of the posts stop them spinning or Put a screw in the top should allow you to hold it to remove the bottom screws stop. Then put it in acetone that should loosen up superglue if can’t get it off any other way

 

[psychopat]

Could use set of grips to hold bottom of the posts stop them spinning or Put a screw in the top should allow you to hold it to remove the bottom screws stop. Then put it in acetone that should loosen up superglue if can’t get it off any other way

That would work but theres no room to hold the post with grips, the plastic covering the posts goes all the way to the bottom.

The steering assembly lifts off those posts. I’m sorry you are having difficulty. You will need to try prying underneath the arms at the base of the chassis. Try to apply even pressure from two sides. Sometimes the factory applied loctite gets over applied and locks the bearings in place.

I tried prying from under with no luck. I will try to give it more heat and see if I can free the parts. Also sent them a message since I already had a ticket opened, before I have to get "destructive". Could cut the posts with a dremel and cutting wheels, then vice grip them and unscrew but I will have to buy new posts. This buggy is brand new out of the box.

 

[psychopat]

I tried again heating it up to 360C and tapping the top, still unable to free the assembly.

I will wait to hear back from them before starting cutting stuff up or returning this thing.

 

[Nelson.81]

I think you must have rounded out the screws below. I would put pliers on the post try twist it to break glue seal. If get destructive aluminium versions. Corally only does 7075 for servo saver side.

I just found this on AliExpress: | GPM TEAM CORALLY-1:10 SKETER XL4SAluminum alloy front steering combination
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EyEImbQ

 

[psychopat]

I think you must have rounded out the screws below. I would put pliers on the post try twist it to break glue seal. If get destructive aluminium versions. Corally only does 7075 for servo saver side.

I just found this on AliExpress: | GPM TEAM CORALLY-1:10 SKETER XL4SAluminum alloy front steering combination
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EyEImbQ

No, the screws underneath are not rounded out. The issue is that the posts themselves spin when I try to turn them. The hex heads are still perfect, and I am using brand new MIP tools as well.

Yes, aluminum is definitely the way to go, much better than flimsy plastic. I already have the upgraded Corally servo saver, but upgrading the rest would be great too.

I did not realize the Sketer parts were the same, thanks for the link.

 

[Atomic Skull]

I had an aluminum servo saver in my Asuga but I ended up taking it out and replacing it with the original plastic one because when dirt accumulates in the cam it "sticks" and won't provide any "servo saving" movement. They really need to put a teflon gasket in the cam on aluminum units or make the cam out of a slippery metal like brass.

 

[frenkel]

Can't you use a big wedge, like a long screwdriver, and use that to lift up the arm that is on the round posts? If nothing else I would contact Team Corally support directly and send them all those videos. They are really good at helping or working around problems.

 

[Partydaz]

This happed when I took the steering assembly out the Kagama 6s, the screws had way too much loctite on them the posts just spun around. Think I got some mole grips on the post / servo saver bit and with some threating words it came out.

 

[psychopat]

Finally got my Punisher back up and running!

I had to heat the screws on the steering posts for several minutes at 420°C before I could finally get them out. Even then, it took me several tries until I went for broke: “make it or break it.” Had to use an oven mitt since the chassis was too hot to handle lol.

I installed a fully upgraded aluminum steering setup, a bunch of ADU aluminum upgrades, a new 15T pinion, motor fans, a Flysky receiver, a new servo, and a new spring. Wow, this thing is fast now.

Small tip: the steering posts on the 4S don’t have a flat side, so they are hard to lock down properly. I used 5/32 lock washers and that did the trick.
I also installed the upgraded spring from AliExpress instead of the Lee Spring option, which was hard to get here. I still have a few more upgrades on the way, but what a difference already.

Next project: build a proper “death ramp.” This thing is absolutely going to fly.

 

[Nelson.81]

Why the f*ck are the posts not keyed into chassis like rest of the models & use the same posts , they’ve actually had to redesign or have a different part made compared to rest of the lineup & actually made it worse that makes no sense But glad you sorted the AliExpress spring does everything you need & you have spares for other rigs better bang for buck compared to Lee spring it’s just a silly price for a single spring.

 

[psychopat]

Why the f*ck are the posts not keyed into chassis like rest of the models & use the same posts , they’ve actually had to redesign or have a different part made compared to rest of the lineup & actually made it worse that makes no sense But glad you sorted the AliExpress spring does everything you need & you have spares for other rigs better bang for buck compared to Lee spring it’s just a silly price for a single spring.

yeah exactly! I brought it up to Corally and they raised the issue internally they said. The lock washer seems to work but it was a painful process to take the original steering apart it would just spin no matter what. I ordered the aluminum hubs, center diff mount, all 3 aluminum diff housings and the front and rear aluminum housing as well as the aluminum improved batt mount from ADU. The wheel extenders help a lot to stabilize the car.

 

[danl]

Let me know how that agfrc servo does. I’m looking at switching brands because I keep breaking gears and can’t buy replacements. Agfrc sells gear sets for their servos.