Need to relieve weight on torsion bars?

[tao]

There was just a post suggesting with a heavy tank like Torro KT with torsion bar suspension..that it should be elevated while sitting/static to take weight off of the suspension? Anybody experience a problem not doing that? I have mine sitting on display stands as is.

[jackalope]

Had mine for over a year, weights over 20 lbs, never had am issue with the suspension.

[tomhugill]

There was just a post suggesting with a heavy tank like Torro KT with torsion bar suspension..that it should be elevated while sitting/static to take weight off of the suspension? Anybody experience a problem not doing that? I have mine sitting on display stands as is.

Some people will say it's an issue, to be honest mine sit on their tracks. This might come into play after 10 years but you just bend the suspension arms back and all is well again.

[ausf]

My Tamiya Tiger sagged significantly over about 7-8 years of sitting on the tracks. Yes I could (and did) bend the suspension back, but it'll never be as strong as the original condition by doing that. The susension is noticeably mushy as compared to before and while the replacement torsion bars are easily found, it's a heck of a lot of work to break it down to change them out.

When the solution is just a simple block of wood (I use two pieces of pine base molding screwed together) there really is no reason not to.

Another benefit to getting the tracks off the ground is you completely eliminate the chance of a runaway startup by accident while on the bench. I've had tanks take off on me twice because the transmitter either got bumped or fell over hitting the throttle, projecting the tank off the edge.

It really is a question of why not? It can't hurt and can only help.

[43rdRecceReg]

Agree completely with Ausf..notwithstanding the possible runaway issue, it's also handy to have the right size block in support anyway for running new tracks in; testing motors,adding lubrication and general maintenance..etc..

[jackalope]

8 years! Holy crap! Yeah I guess after THAT much time it could be an issue so a block of wood isn't a bad idea if you keep tanks longer then the war was fought!
That makes good sense actually.

But accidentally run away? Don't you guys remove the battery when you store your tanks or is that just me? I pull the batteries out and store them in a nice metal box in a cool dry place so they stay nice and crisp and fresh!

[Ad Lav]

Stand my tanks on conveniently sized books lol

[jeman]

Ive got foam blocks that my two Tigers sit on.....Just enough to take the weight of the torsion bars, but the tracks still rest on the ground ! They are both Heavy Tigers with one in at 16lbs......does it make any difference.....probably not, but it makes me feel better

[DRC]

I'm going to have to put one of my Tigers on blocks. I bought a hundred steel washers and epoxy'd some of them into the back of the road wheels the rest of the bag were glued into the hull. The poor girl's wheels are splaying out and the suspension isn't what it should be!

I guess I got carried away.

[ausf]

But accidentally run away? Don't you guys remove the battery when you store your tanks or is that just me? I pull the batteries out and store them in a nice metal box in a cool dry place so they stay nice and crisp and fresh!

They don't runaway when they are stored, but if you're adjusting the volume, checking the wire harness or any host of things you need to do on the bench with it turned on. All it takes is reaching for something and bumping a Tx onto it's face and away it goes. If it's off the tracks, no worries.

That Tiger is now over 12 years old a still going strong. Still the original electronics, tracks, motors and gearboxes and survived two boys using it to learn.