KV-1 sprocket problem

Sergeimosin · Post by **Sergeimosin** » Thu May 22, 2014 10:54 pm

So I got my new Heng Long KV-1 today (metal track/gear version) and the rear left sprocket teeth aren't aligned properly with each other (the internal teeth are out of sync with the outer teeth), which basically makes the entire left track useless. Is there a way to fix this problem without having to return it to the vendor for replacement?

ALPHA · Post by **ALPHA** » Thu May 22, 2014 11:06 pm

Sergeimosin wrote:So I got my new Heng Long KV-1 today (metal track/gear version) and the rear left sprocket teeth aren't aligned properly with each other (the internal teeth are out of sync with the outer teeth), which basically makes the entire left track useless. Is there a way to fix this problem without having to return it to the vendor for replacement?

Try taking out the outer sprocket... it could just be the pin is not in the slot...So just pry off the hub cap with a jewelers screwdriver or a knife... pull it out... take the allen nut out and pull on the outer sprocket... it should come right off

If it is out of place... to reinstall you have to take the tracks off.. by removing the Idler first...and remove the brush guard between the sprocket..be careful it's plastic so it can break..just pry lightly till you see the locking tap...then pull it off... reinstall your sprocket... with the tracks on... then the idler

Good Luck serge

ALPHA

Sergeimosin · Post by **Sergeimosin** » Thu May 22, 2014 11:34 pm

Alright, so I pulled off the sprocket as per instructions above (thanks for the tutorial Alpha, I was having trouble figuring out how to get the tracks off until you posted that) and it turns out it can't be salvaged. The teeth were cast completely wrong on the drive sprocket and the only remedy is to either replace the sprocket or replace the tank, so I'm contacting the vendor now to see how they want to fix the problem.

Uploaded a picture on photobucket (here: http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo25 ... a01d55.jpg . That's not a trick of the angle either, it's the actual level of stagger between the teeth on both halves of the sprocket, which is impressively severe) so y'all can see what I'm talking about on the teeth problem.

MichaelC · Post by **MichaelC** » Thu May 22, 2014 11:51 pm

Serge, did you try separating the outer and the inner half of the sprocket and see if it is just push together not properly ?

MichaelC.

Sergeimosin · Post by **Sergeimosin** » Thu May 22, 2014 11:55 pm

I did, but it's got an alignment shoulder/lug in there that makes it impossible to attach the two halves any way other than the way they were put together at the factory. It's a shame too, because it's a really nice vehicle and I was looking forward to starting work on turning into a Russian recaptured PzKfw KV-1B.

ALPHA · Post by **ALPHA** » Fri May 23, 2014 12:20 am

Sergeimosin wrote:Alright, so I pulled off the sprocket as per instructions above (thanks for the tutorial Alpha, I was having trouble figuring out how to get the tracks off until you posted that) and it turns out it can't be salvaged. The teeth were cast completely wrong on the drive sprocket and the only remedy is to either replace the sprocket or replace the tank, so I'm contacting the vendor now to see how they want to fix the problem.

Uploaded a picture on photobucket (here: http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo25 ... a01d55.jpg . That's not a trick of the angle either, it's the actual level of stagger between the teeth on both halves of the sprocket, which is impressively severe) so y'all can see what I'm talking about on the teeth problem.

By God man ...that is terrible... I never saw one that off before

....See if you're vendor will send you another wheel...You already have the picture as proof...

By the way Serge... if you thought taking apart the tracks was tricky ... wait till you open the tank

...there are two hidden screws next to that brush catcher that goes between the sprockets

....I swear....it took me almost two hours to find them

Anyway ...best you can do... wait to hear from your seller

Good luck

ALPHA

Sergeimosin · Post by **Sergeimosin** » Fri May 23, 2014 2:04 am

Actually the tracks weren't that tricky after you mentioned the way to do it. I never noticed how true they were to real tracks until I popped 'em off and then I just drifted one of the link pins out with a paper clip and sped the whole process along. I've worked on a few real T34/76s and an /85 for reenactment groups and private parties that owned them, so I'm familiar with at least some of the maintenance protocols for torsion bar suspensions (through watching the guys that specialized in that stuff work on it. My work was focused on re-activating the weaponry in a manner consistent with the local laws, but I did get to watch the guys from the local diesel shop go to town on the engines/tracks/wheels/etc), but the whole 1/16 thing has been somewhat daunting due to the very small size of the parts involved. I'm probably crazy for saying it, but I somehow feel like it would be easier to work on a 1/1 scale replica

.

ALPHA · Post by **ALPHA** » Sun May 25, 2014 8:40 pm

Sergeimosin wrote:Actually the tracks weren't that tricky after you mentioned the way to do it. I never noticed how true they were to real tracks until I popped 'em off and then I just drifted one of the link pins out with a paper clip and sped the whole process along. I've worked on a few real T34/76s and an /85 for reenactment groups and private parties that owned them, so I'm familiar with at least some of the maintenance protocols for torsion bar suspensions (through watching the guys that specialized in that stuff work on it. My work was focused on re-activating the weaponry in a manner consistent with the local laws, but I did get to watch the guys from the local diesel shop go to town on the engines/tracks/wheels/etc), but the whole 1/16 thing has been somewhat daunting due to the very small size of the parts involved. I'm probably crazy for saying it, but I somehow feel like it would be easier to work on a 1/1 scale replica .

HMMM .... Kind of tough trying to haul a 1/1 scale KV into your living room to work on though

...Never worked on a real tank before... sounds like back breaking ... hernia achieving knuckle breaking work ...did auto restoration for awhile...but it isn't anywhere near the kind of tonnage of a tank

Did you get word from your seller?..Hope things work out well... the KV is really a nice model...the only criticism I would have is Heng Long didn't take enough time to map out a good path for the smoker... as it doesn't come out where it's supposed to

Happy tanking and Good Luck Serge ......

ALPHA

Sergeimosin · Post by **Sergeimosin** » Tue May 27, 2014 3:32 pm

ALPHA wrote:HMMM .... Kind of tough trying to haul a 1/1 scale KV into your living room to work on though ...

I'd gladly try to find a way, but I've never actually seen a privately owned KV series vehicle (much less seen one up for sale). They're just that rare nowadays, and I can't think of a single vehicle whose track base is large enough to do a 1:1 replica of the thing. Seen a 1:1 Tiger, 1:1 Tiger II, a PZ III J built off of a 113 Armadillo APC, and a whole bunch of other things... but never found anything suitable for building the majestic Doom Box.

ALPHA wrote:Never worked on a real tank before... sounds like back breaking ... hernia achieving knuckle breaking work ...did auto restoration for awhile...but it isn't anywhere near the kind of tonnage of a tank

Since I only worked on the weapon systems I can confidently say it was less back breaking and more claustrophobic/mistakephobic (one of the guys I worked with did a horrible job with the weld on the cradle for an F-34 and when he went to do the proof shot with it, the weld broke, sheered the heads off the bolts on the left side of the mount and the whole gun cradle came back and swung to the side. Broke 4 of his ribs, collapsed a lung, and embedded one of the bolt heads in his chest. It was ugly but he pulled through with nothing more than some bad scars and a horrible fear of being in a gunners basket)

ALPHA wrote:Did you get word from your seller?..Hope things work out well...

I did actually. They asked me to send back the model and they'll send me a brand new one. They're very easy to work with, so I'm happy to say I'll remain a customer of theirs.

ALPHA wrote: the KV is really a nice model...the only criticism I would have is Heng Long didn't take enough time to map out a good path for the smoker... as it doesn't come out where it's supposed to

Soon as I get the new one I'm going to just route some water line from the smoker to the proper exhaust vents on the back. Shouldn't take more than an afternoon of careful drilling and sizing, and it's something to do on a rainy day... not that those happen very often in Texas

ALPHA wrote: Happy tanking and Good Luck Serge ......

ALPHA

To you as well ALPHA

ALPHA · Post by **ALPHA** » Wed May 28, 2014 5:00 am

Hey Serge...Good news about your Kv ... glad it got sorted out ... Bad news about your buddy who broke his ribs... OUCH AND A HALF!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's some photos of how I dealt with my smoker... it was pretty tough... a lot tougher than I had thought because of the space provisions

There was a lot of relocating of the guts... also a little grinding on the gearbox cages ...it isn't pretty ..but it works
Here's the build thread if you are interested... but my build was a conversion to a Kv2... so most of it might not be of interest to you
http://www.rctankwarfare.co.uk/forums/v ... R&start=40

Have fun ...Good Luck Serge

................

ALPHA

RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

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