10T Differential

[Top_Billing]

Hey gang -- I recently picked up a 10T on ebay and have been rebuilding it. I took apart, cleaned and rebuilt the diff last night, but I'm unable to get it to rotate smoothly once its properly adjusted. The rings and thrust washers had some light scoring, but looked pretty good after sanding. The rotation is not uniformly rough... it only sticks during part of the rotation. Could one one or more of the diff balls be damaged? What's the best way to isolate the problem?

Thanks in advance.

[GoMachV]

In my experience the thrust is usually the cause of the notchyness. If you didn’t clean them and rebuild with fresh black grease I would try that first. The diff rebuild kit for a TC3 is perfect and comes with all you need. Part number 3926

[Top_Billing]

Thanks. I used TLR white grease actually. I'll get some associated black grease and give it another shot.

Separate question -- the manual does not say to lube between the rings and out drives, but other diffs I have typically do so I went ahead and added some. This couldn't be causing problems, could it?

[jwscab]

If you didn't change the balls, that is the problem. Grease really won't change smoothness particularly in the thrust assembly. If the rings were sanded and have no score marks visible they shouldn't be a problem.

Not critical on grease behind the rings.

[RC10th]

Clean everything well and flip the rings and thrust washers over if they haven't been flipped already. If it's still crunchy after it's time to replace all rings/thrust balls/washers. The main diff balls rarely need replacing so you can re-use those.

Use only clear diff grease on the main balls/rings and black on the thrust assembly.

[Top_Billing]

Thanks, everyone. I rebuilt the diff again and flipped both the rings and washers. The random roughness is gone, but it still doesn't feel all that smooth to me. I've ordered the rebuild kit and will see if that does it.

[Top_Billing]

Rebuilt the diff with the kit and it's purring now. Can't wait to get out on the track.

Separate question -- I'm trying to get the ride height in the front dialed in, but I think the springs are too short for the shocks. Does anyone the correct length of the springs on the front the truck?

[jwscab]

truck front shock springs are the same as rear springs. So you might have buggy front springs installed, they are shorter.

[Top_Billing]

truck front shock springs are the same as rear springs. So you might have buggy front springs installed, they are shorter.

Are you sure about that? The manual has different part numbers and refers the front springs as short.

[jwscab]

nope not sure. I guess they make shorter front springs for truck. So that means you could have three different spring lengths to figure out. My bet is you have buggy springs up front then.

[jkelm24]

Here's a thread with the Associated spring chart (thanks again Jeff!).

https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=38431&p=431514&hilit=spring#p431514

[Top_Billing]

Thanks!