HOW TO: Making steering links for the WK

[Patella]

I was looking over at RCC in the WK forum and couldn't find what size allthread people were using to make links with. I know a couple guys here run WK rigs, so I thought I'd ask here where it won't get lost from the first page after 10 minutes.

I happened to be out in the North Hills today and stopped at the Home Depot on Camp Horne Road and picked up a bunch of sizes of all thread. The smallest they had was 6-32, so I grabbed some of that some 8-32 and some 10-32. I built the servo mount yesterday, but still need to get to ABC to pick up some ends to add to the all thread.

thanks

Jake

[Rckcrwlr]

Re: HOW TO: Making steering links for the WK

Jake,
I moved this to Tools & Procedures due to the fact that this can help more than just WK owners.

Depending on what ends you use (DuBro HD, Revo Ends, etc) is going to dictate what size thread. You will want to sleeve them with either brake line or Aluminum tubing.

When you go to AB-C and talk to John, let him know that you are on the forum.

He has all the stuff you need to build them up...all thread, alum tube and rod ends...makes it easy with no guessing.

Size wise I believe 6-32...

Busted could chime in, I know he just made some...

[Blackfoot]

Re: HOW TO: Making steering links for the WK

I used the old .15 TMaxx Tie Rods on mine. I went with the wide setup on my old Maxx when I did the full blown Big Block conversion. They are almost perfect width.

[Rockbound]

Re: HOW TO: Making steering links for the WK

i have made all my suspension links and steering links on both comp trucks with 1/4 all thread, 1/4 brake line, and revo rod ends. I have never bent, broke, or stripped one out in 4 years.

The revo rod ends are a perfect fit for the 1/4 all thread. just push hard and turn it threads itself!

[Patella]

Re: HOW TO: Making steering links for the WK

Rckcrwlr - Thanks for the move. I appreciate all the help you guys give me here. I don't feel like I'm gonna get flamed and called a noob everytime I post something.

Funny thing - I was debating on whether to run out to ABC today, but I only had a limited amount of time so I decided to hit up HD to see what they had. I"ll need to get out there later in the week to get the rod ends and such. I might spring for the lower link kit they have out there too. I hope my servo mount works okay. My father-in-law and I built it from an old no-smoking sign, which just so happens to be the right thickness al.

Jake

[Bustedcrawler]

Re: HOW TO: Making steering links for the WK

Well, I have done just about all combos other than 1/4 all thread. May have to do that on the super

My steering links on the 2.2 are stock tamyia sleeve with 1/4 brakeline. Suspension links on 2.2 are 4-40 with stock tamyia rod ends, sleeved with 1/4 brakeline on the lowers and carbon fiber rod on the upper. However, the rear uppers are jato rod ends, 8-32 rod, and 1/4 brakeline.

Super has the stock txt tie rod, since it is a very heavy walled AL tube, with stock rod ends for now. Lowers are custom solid 5/8s solid AL bar stock, drilled and tapped with stock TXT rod ends. Uppers are 6-32, with 1/4 brakeline, and I think dubro rods.

I will be going dubro monster rod ends shortly on the super. Those are beef, but come with a beefy price tag too!

Traxxas rod ends are pretty good, I have had bad luck with them. However, I know a lot of people who have had great luck with them. I have had pretty good luck with the stock Tamyia rod ends, the TXTs in particular. They are about as beefy as you can find for a factor rod end, only down side is they do not take rod ball for using a bolt. They have to be pressed over a ball stud.



Biggest thing when making your links is go slow. Measure twice, cut once, then do a final trim. I leave just a pinch extra since I use a dremel to cut the all thread. Rockbound has a PIMP mini chop saw, that I need to get one like it. Brakeline is cheap and very tough, I use a tubing cutter and not a dremel to cut it to size. Makes a cleaner cut.

Cut the all thread down to size, thread on rod ends, measure and cut brakeline. Remove a rod end, slid on brakeline, reattach rod end....bam you got links!

[Patella]

Re: HOW TO: Making steering links for the WK

I got sick of not being able to get out to ABC so I scavenged my old, old Tamiya stadium truck and stole the tie rods which happen to thread very nicely onto 8/32. Mounted up my servo holder (need to slot one hole a little) and bolted it all on. Seems to work pretty well, It's 1:30am and I don't have any charged batteries so it'll have to wait till tomorrow for a real test.

Jake

[DRCMAN]

Re: HOW TO: Making steering links for the WK

It's 1:30am and I don't have any charged batteries so it'll have to wait till tomorrow for a real test.

1:30AM I thought I was the the only one wrenching that late on a school night

You're addicted now

[Patella]

Re: HOW TO: Making steering links for the WK

Yesterday was my long day. I essentially worked/taught from 8:30am till 9:30pm. So by the time I got home and had dinner it was already pretty late. I couldn't just go to bed without doing something enjoyable.

jake

[Patella]

Re: HOW TO: Making steering links for the WK

hmm, don't make links out of 8-32 without a servo saver. I built some today and proceeded to break the stock ring (saver) whatever it's called in about 2 minutes flat. Funny thing though, The old Tamiya plastic ring fits perfect so I'm back in business with my old plastic steering linkage for now. Does anyone know if ABC carries servo savers?

Jake

[Rckcrwlr]

Re: HOW TO: Making steering links for the WK

Don't run a servo saver for Rockcrawling. You do not want any give when you are trying to turn.

Get either a Dubro HD arm or an aluminum one. I like the Dubro's...they are real strong...

Haven't broke one yet but Stick king did last comp...

[Patella]

Re: HOW TO: Making steering links for the WK

Don't run a servo saver for Rockcrawling. You do not want any give when you are trying to turn.

Get either a Dubro HD arm or an aluminum one. I like the Dubro's...they are real strong...

Haven't broke one yet but Stick king did last comp...

Ah thanks for the heads up. I thought the aluminum arm was the servo saver. My lack of knowledge.
I"ll have to pick one of those up before running my heavy duty linkage again. Just a note though, this Wk is still pretty much a basher as I havent' stretched or geared it down yet, I guess once I do that I won't be hitting things quite so fast.


Jake