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Six Gear Outdrive Bearing Modification
Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 1:20 pm
by bpkuth
Just finished up rebuilding a six gear transmission following recommendations from the board. Spent a lot of time filing, polishing and adding the outdrive bearings. My bearings must have been a little narrow, I added a nylon spacer I made to get the bearings flush with the outside of the case.
What a difference, this thing is silky smooth!!!!
Thanks for the help!
Re: Six Gear Outdrive Bearing Modification
Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 1:31 pm
by jwscab
Looks good!
Re: Six Gear Outdrive Bearing Modification
Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 1:47 pm
by NomadRacer
Really nice work. I still need to do that modification on mine.
Re: Six Gear Outdrive Bearing Modification
Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 2:29 pm
by XLR8
Apart from the obvious benefits, the outdrive bearings also create a more effective dirt seal than the felt washers. I still have a six gear in one of my daily runners and it's very smooth and reliable.
Re: Six Gear Outdrive Bearing Modification
Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 4:46 pm
by YakkityYak
So do you just remove the felt seals and plastic bits, file the bearings to fit, and pop the out drives in? Any modifications to the spine plate at all?
Re: Six Gear Outdrive Bearing Modification
Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 5:07 pm
by NomadRacer
@YakkityYak
Besides asking lots of questions about the 6-Gear when I was building mine, I Googled and found the following.
https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=8834
https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=28674
http://www.competitionx.com/rc-build-blog-team-associated-rc10-buggy-build/team-associated-rc10-classic-buggy-build-part-2-transmission/
The links are good, some may be missing pictures. Pick and choose what you want, and are capable (skills & tools) doing.
Re: Six Gear Outdrive Bearing Modification
Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 5:42 pm
by YakkityYak
Thank you very much! I've just been wanting to do smaller things that wont cost an arm and a leg (says the guy who's already spent $220+ within two weeks on rc10 stuff) and hopefully I can use bearings I have left over from my father's racing days.
Re: Six Gear Outdrive Bearing Modification
Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 5:49 pm
by jwscab
You can actually reduce the amount of modifications necessary, rather than drill out the case for the brass sleeve, you use a gutted bearing inner race Or drill out a bushing oversize in the small 5/16x3/16 non flanged position.
Re: Six Gear Outdrive Bearing Modification
Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 5:53 pm
by bpkuth
@YakkityYak The thread links @NomadRacer posted above are the same ones I followed. The RCCA article is a little difficult to read, I think I have a better copy somewhere. Let me see what i can find.
Re: Six Gear Outdrive Bearing Modification
Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2018 10:08 pm
by 1300GT
Your bearings are probably 5/32 of an inch wide. The nylon spacers you made to fit the outdrive bearings flush with the outside of the case is a good idea. I did the mod to my classic and was lucky enough to source bearings that were 10/51 of an inch or 5mm wide. They are an odd width but fit the case exactly without any spacers.
You'll see many people fit outdrive bearings but they don't sit flush with the case, which can allow them to move sideways out to the screw or motorplate which still retains them but allows the outdrive to have a massive amount of sideplay.
Looks great by the way.

Re: Six Gear Outdrive Bearing Modification
Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2018 6:35 am
by NomadRacer
I have a PDF of Jim Halsey's Tranny Tips, very detailed and it's easy to read. I don't know if I can post it to the forum. Is there anyone that can help me get it on here?
Re: Six Gear Outdrive Bearing Modification
Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2018 10:54 am
by jwscab
Pretty sure you can attach a few file formats now.
Re: Six Gear Outdrive Bearing Modification
Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2018 11:27 am
by NomadRacer
Nope, tried to attach the pdf. I got an error, invalid file extension. If anybody wants the file, I can email it to you.
Re: Six Gear Outdrive Bearing Modification
Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2018 4:37 pm
by Asso_man!
Re: Six Gear Outdrive Bearing Modification
Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2018 4:42 pm
by Asso_man!