Maxx Steering Advice/help needed

[MacII]

Hello,

This year I decided to join the crowd and buy and race an E-Maxx. I've already been racing a Losi XXXT modified. My attitude on the E-Maxx was that I'd try to keep it as stock as I could but when something breaks I would replace it with an upgraded part. For power I run the stock engines with two 7 cell batteries (which IMHO is plenty quick.) I've already broken shock towers, body mounts and the dreaded bulkhead. I replaced the towers with RPM units which are much stronger. For the Bulkhead I popped for aluminum units for strength.

My current issue is the steering. My Maxx will barely move the tires when placed on the ground and not moving. I managed to place myself in the "A" this Sunday but I was using a lot of break/slide in order to get it around tight corners. I feel something isn't right. I know my steering cost me in lap times.

Several people at the track said that the stock servo is junk. Many pointed me toward 150+ oz servos some of which are insanely priced. Some are not bad (such as those from HiTech). Other people told me that it is the servo saver that is causing my problems. I've been unable to find exact models that I heard about. The Pro Line model lists only compatible with the T Maxx, the Kimbrough (sp) I can't seem to find anywhere.

So I turn to the power of the Internet. What is the best budget servo combination for a raced E-Maxx. I'm happy to spend some money but I'm not too anxious to overspend if I don't need to.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice you can offer.

[TC3 Benjammin]

I have a Hitec 625MG metal-geared servo in mine. Can turn the tires from lock-to-lock while standing still, even on concrete. It's only $39.99 at Tower. May want to try www.servocity.com as well. They have good prices and don't charge for shipping.

[dont slow down]

i know proline makes a ball bearing steering system for the tmaxx, and im 99% sure it will work on the emaxx. im looking for one right now too, im waiting for the new hobby shop to open so i can get one. also yeah the stock servo is junk, mine wont turn the wheels when it isnt moving either. i think any servo would be better than what you have. look at cirrus servos, they seem to be resonably priced.

[wanabedriver]

upgrade to a 1/4 scale servo! here's one (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXLN93&P=7) im looking at getting for my emaxx. 343 oz of torque for $32. sweet :cool:. by the way, here is the Hitec 625MG (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXUZ87&P=7). doesnt look so good... $40 for a servo with only 14 oz more than stock... not worth it in my eyes.
couple problems if u do get the 1/4. it draws more amps, so u risk damaging ur reciver if u dont run an extra reciver pack for the servo. also, u will have to make ur own servo mount to fit that huge thing in.
as for the proline bellcrank... im pretty sure it will fit in the emaxx too. try look at this site (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXWV62&P=7). it is a discontinued bellcrank made by xtm, and it fit both t and e maxx.
good luck at ur races!

[MrHorspwer]

I'd probibly recommend a Hitec 645MG... $40 at servocity.com (free shipping). 133 oz in @ 6V and a .20 sec travel time should be plenty.

As for the steering, Unlimited Engineering should probibly be mentioned, but it's certainly not budget. I don't know how much it is exactly, but I know I can't afford it.

The Pro Line kit is nice, espically considering it has an integrated servo saver. It does have some plastic in it so it's certainly not indestructable. Then again, the stock setup is all plastic and you haven't broken it.

If you want to stay on the ultra cheap, pick up a $5 Kimbrough servo saver to replace your old one.

Another thing you may wanna try... connect an aux 6V reciever pack to the reciever. This will add a bit of weight and I don't know if it's worth the tradeoff if you're racing.

[Lord Radeon]

6v receiver pack is ALWAYS worth the weight. If you want a lighter one, solder one from AAA ni-mhs. That's what I use on my brushless rig.

Hitec 5945MG
UE Servo Saver

Lock to lock on concrete, mud, or thick grass standing still.

[MacII]

LR - The UE Servo Saver sure looks like what I want (albeit minus a C-Note) but the reviews on it are unclear about one thing, does one really need to replace the stock servo AND the Servo Saver?

I'm inclined to say that if I'm spending a bill on the saver, another 40 bucks isn't going to kill me, I'll get one of those HiTech (I've never used that brand) 133oz servos. But I always find myself asking if I truly NEED to spend the extra $ on something that isn't (yet) broke. Maybe the 80oz of the stocker is OK? It does appear to spin inside the saver...

Your thoughts?

Thanks

[TC3 Benjammin]

If it spins inside the servo saver, you most likely stripped out the plastic adapter that leads from the servo to the servo saver. Mine did that too. I replaced it with another stock unit for $3. Works fine now (til it strips again, lol).

I would just start with a heavy duty servo saver (the one MrHorspwr recommended). That will let you know for sure whether you want a stronger servo or not. Your tires aren't getting the full benefit from your servo right now, because the nut seems to be stripped.

[BigBadTahoe]

Its definatly worth it trust me. I put that servo in my elec. rustler and it is like driving a different truck. I can take a turn on even the roughist terrain and it goes where I want and when I want. DEFINTALY upgrade! I am going to be racing my E soon and so I'm gonna do the same thing to it.;)