Substitutes or better alternatives to gearbox seals?

The place for all things Kyosho.

Moderators: scr8p, klavy69

Post Reply
User avatar
Coelacanth
Approved Member
Posts: 7375
Joined: Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:20 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada
Has thanked: 16 times
Been thanked: 293 times

Substitutes or better alternatives to gearbox seals?

Post by Coelacanth »

The gearbox seals (a thin strip of foam-rubber with adhesive backing on one side) on the Optima series of cars often wear out or dry up and crack. What do you guys suggest as a better or cheaper alternative to the original adhesive sponge strip?
Attachments
Gearbox & Seal.jpg
Completed projects: CYANide Onroad Optima | Zebra Gold Optima | Barney Optima | OptiMutt RWD Mid
Gallery - Coel's Stalls: Marui Galaxy & Shogun Resto-Mods | FrankenBuff AYK Buffalo | 1987 Buick GNX RC12L3

shane
Approved Member
Posts: 335
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 1:04 am
Location: pennsylvania usa
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Substitutes or better alternatives to gearbox seals?

Post by shane »

looks like piece of weather strip. Try a local hardware store.

User avatar
ROH73
Approved Member
Posts: 623
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:07 am
Location: State College, PA
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 19 times

Re: Substitutes or better alternatives to gearbox seals?

Post by ROH73 »

I've always just cut thin strips from 1/8" thick weather stripping and glued it in place. The adhesive backing on the weather strip (and, in my experience, the original Kyosho part) never stayed on long. Some CA takes care of that.

User avatar
mikedealer
Approved Member
Posts: 1778
Joined: Fri May 18, 2007 12:25 am
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Substitutes or better alternatives to gearbox seals?

Post by mikedealer »

what ive done, which is probably more effort than it is worth, is to take a sheet of hobby foam, like the 3mm stuff
like these
http://www.michaels.com/Creatology%E2%84%A2-Foam-Sheets/gc1328,default,pd.html?cgid=products-kidsteachers-creatology-foamworld&start=38

-Spray a square of it with 3m adhesive foam
-Spray a peice of scrap paper with some adhesive spray, and press gear cover over it to get glue on edges
-Let both peices dry slightly to get real tacky
-Press Gear Cover into foam and slice off excess edges with a sharp exacto knife.
-After that slice outside interior foam with knife again

You will have a perfect flush cut seal, and it wont leak, if dont well, it should look beautiful and perfect. Plus its not like the original foam crap that bends and warps around sharp turns.. this will be custom cut to fit. i like the black foam for this too, but they sell all colors.

User avatar
Coelacanth
Approved Member
Posts: 7375
Joined: Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:20 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada
Has thanked: 16 times
Been thanked: 293 times

Re: Substitutes or better alternatives to gearbox seals?

Post by Coelacanth »

Thanks guys, if you have any other suggestions, keep 'em coming. Mike, I love your idea! There's a Michael's on my way home from work. :)
Completed projects: CYANide Onroad Optima | Zebra Gold Optima | Barney Optima | OptiMutt RWD Mid
Gallery - Coel's Stalls: Marui Galaxy & Shogun Resto-Mods | FrankenBuff AYK Buffalo | 1987 Buick GNX RC12L3

User avatar
mikedealer
Approved Member
Posts: 1778
Joined: Fri May 18, 2007 12:25 am
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Substitutes or better alternatives to gearbox seals?

Post by mikedealer »

ive used the thin foam under batteries too, to prevent noise and a bit of shock absorption.

If u are feeling really adventurous with a blade, they sell thicker foam about the same thickness as a RC10 tranny gasket, one could be cut from it, always wanted to try cutting some but never had patience

User avatar
losiXXXman
Approved Member
Posts: 936
Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 9:53 am
Location: Cary, NC
Been thanked: 5 times

Re: Substitutes or better alternatives to gearbox seals?

Post by losiXXXman »

Since we are on the subject of those gear covers.... Has anyone attempted to mold one? I want one, but I;m not going to pay $20 for one on ebay.. At that price point it becomes worth it to me to at least try my hand at making one..

User avatar
mikedealer
Approved Member
Posts: 1778
Joined: Fri May 18, 2007 12:25 am
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Substitutes or better alternatives to gearbox seals?

Post by mikedealer »

i would mold some but they would probably cost $10 each to make lol, i think the better option is to have the lexan ones for the torque pinion reproed

Post Reply

Create an account or sign in to join the discussion

You need to be a member in order to post a reply

Create an account

Not a member? register to join our community
Members can start their own topics & subscribe to topics
It’s free and only takes a minute

Register

Sign in

  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post
  • Axle Substitutes?
    by Chemical » » in RC10 Buggy Forum
    0 Replies
    512 Views
    Last post by Chemical
  • Rebuilding 2.25 stealth diffs - substitutes and all
    by Lonestar » » in Temple's RC10 Tech Forum
    5 Replies
    1841 Views
    Last post by Lonestar
  • Substitutes for Vintage Losi Ball Studs?
    by HS-YZ250 » » in Losi Forum
    2 Replies
    263 Views
    Last post by HS-YZ250
  • HydraDrive Seals
    by jkelm24 » » in Losi Forum
    3 Replies
    1065 Views
    Last post by Mark Westerfield
  • Felt seals
    by mmdm4 » » in RC10 Buggy Forum
    10 Replies
    1860 Views
    Last post by a01butal
  • Shock cap seals
    by Caine » » in Temple's RC10 Tech Forum
    8 Replies
    1142 Views
    Last post by Caine
  • Shock bladder/seals
    by juicedcoupe » » in Tamiya Forum
    0 Replies
    523 Views
    Last post by juicedcoupe
  • Platinum Shock Seals
    by FasterLouder » » in Kyosho Forum
    3 Replies
    803 Views
    Last post by radioactivity

Return to “Kyosho Forum”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 26 guests