Heng Long Challenger 2.Metal Tracks and Sprokets etc.

[Ludwig von wigbearer]

This is the one that i fittedP1070914.JPG

This is also a sealed bearing so no problems with crap getting in

[Meter rat]

These are bearing supports.

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[zooma]

Your Challenger might be an older one than mine. The bearing should just push in from the inside looking at your picture. Mine just pushed in from the outside as it has the bearing support in place. I have a pair of aluminium supports if you want them? I am not sure how they fit, as they were not required for mine. There are some pictures of my hull brace in my build thread. Page 5. It is simply made from 25mm x 25mm x 3mm aluminium angle, from B&Q. Pavel, I believe used a flange bearing from the inside and secured it with epoxy? He also seals them from the outside to prevent ingress of dirt. Something I have found unnecessary as my bearings have seals. I have now fitted these output shaft bearings to all my modern tanks.
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Thanks for the link to your Challenger Torture Ordeal Ian - now I am even more depressed - especially if my (over-priced) Challenger is an older model than yours...it could be even worse!

The metal tracks are definately worse than yours! I looked carefully at the links on your metal tracks and they look like the proper twin pin type - mine are the cheaper copy (not so desirable) single pin type. These are not so flexible as the two pin types and so they may not run as well.

I actually have some alloy angle in the workshop (shed) that may be suitable to fabricate the chassis brace - it sounds like I am going to need to make one!

The aluminium supports could be handy if you have no use for them - my elderly (but over-priced) Challenger may need them to help stiffen this weak area on my old type (over-priced) Challenger 2 .

If I don't end up using them, I can send them back to the "Unwanted Challenger Parts Shed" in Scotland - part of the Dunoon Sanctuary for Unwanted Challengers I believe?

I will send you an email !.

Bob.

[Pavel]

No, I have a regular bearing, installed it inside, filled it with epoxy resin with filler.
For me, it's elementary, I've been a modeler since I was 8, now I'm 62 years old...
I can't afford the original version....

[tankme]

It is looking like the Challenger 2 is quite a "needy" tank.

I'll be honest, I think most British vehicles are "needy"... I think of Jaguar, MG, Range Rover. I think we all get my point...

[zooma]

Sorry, as for insulation on the motors, I just used a simple piece of tape over the motors. Nothing as elaborate as what you are proposing.

I only intend sliding a thin piece of plastic card between the motor and the gearbox to prevent the wires touching the gearbox frames.The motor ends would pinch the card against the gearbox sides to prevent them moving when in use.

If I don't have any thin plastic when I check through my scrap box, I could use a slice of plastic milk bottle to do the job as that is reasonably tough plastic - and certainly cheap (most plastic milk bottles are rinsed and thrown away!). If this does not work, then when I take the gearboxes out to fit the axle bearings and I will tape the motor ends over with plastic insulating tape.

The logic was that maybe the plastic card would not wear-through quite as easily as the plastic tape would - but yours has done OK using tape in your well driven Challenger 2!

[Pavel]

Just bend the motor terminals 90 degrees, it's easier......

[zooma]

Just bend the motor terminals 90 degrees, it's easier......

It is the RED motors that we are talking about Pavel,

The motor terminals are already flat against the end of the RED motor - it would not be possible to get the RED motors in at all if the terminals were not already perfectly flat against the end of the motor - they are a VERY tight fit as they are a longer motor than any other type and need some insulation between the motor end and the metal gearbox side.

Have you ever fitted a pair of Red motors into a Heng Long tank?

It may be possible to lay the wires down the outside of the can if the terminals were bent right over, but if there is any solder needed over the end of the motor the the problem would be the same so it is probably not worth doing?

[Pavel]

Sorry - I didn't pay attention, I was slow...
You can just drop a drop of epoxy glue on the terminal.
It will be better than any gaskets that can fall out at any moment....

[zooma]

These RED motors are a tight fit.

I have to remove the gearboxes when the axle bearings arrive, so when they are out I will push a hot soldering iron onto the lower motor solder joints to see if I can flatten them (and the wires) a fraction more to make enough space for some form or insulation between them and the side of the gearbox.

Maybe I have used a heavier gauge of wire on them than usual (?), but at the moment it is only the wire sleeving that is holding it off from the gearbox side!