RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

I was told to adjust my track tension as it looked a little too tight. I’ve included several pictures to show the before and after. The issue I’m running into is the idler wheel seems to be sitting a bit in front of and making contact with one of the road wheels which to me seems like it may cause unnecessary wear. Is the placement of the idler wheel okay? Or should I return it to its previous default position and add a track link to loosen tension? Thanks!

If the third photo is the before photo the tracks are way too tight. A photo from the original owners manual should help

Dogberry wrote: ↑Wed Dec 31, 2025 5:04 pm If the third photo is the before photo the tracks are way too tight. A photo from the original owners manual should help

Thanks for the response. Yes I have loosened them but I want to make sure the contact with the idler wheel and road wheel is acceptable. If they are not meant to touch I can return it to the previous position and add a track link. Just wanted a second opinion.

From memory ( I do not have access to my K/T's at this time) and bearing in mind I only run Tamiya K/t's. On a flat and level surface there is no overlap bet idler and last road wheel.

Bear in mind that the road wheels are very slightly offset so the distance between the centre of the drive wheel and road wheel and the idler and road wheel will be different on each side. I have no experience of other K/t manufacturers and how they have set up their models.

If the tracks are too tight the idler won't work properly and you may get wear and distortion on the gearboxes and hull.

The track as it comes off of the sprocket should miss the front wheel completely and touch down lightly on the second wheel.
Indeed pretty much the same track layout as the Tiger 1.

2nd picture looks about right but 3rd pic is to tight
Just checked my KT and the idler overlaps the last roadwheel like in your picture
running it in the house i havnt had any rubbing issues yet

Stormbringer wrote: ↑Wed Dec 31, 2025 5:54 pm 2nd picture looks about right but 3rd pic is to tight
Just checked my KT and the idler overlaps the last roadwheel like in your picture
running it in the house i havnt had any rubbing issues yet

Thank you!

Hello.
I mostly let the tracks come down on the 3rd roadwheel.
Rob.

Rob59 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 01, 2026 7:27 am Hello.
I mostly let the tracks come down on the 3rd roadwheel.
Rob.

IMG_6104.jpeg

Thanks! Great looking KT btw!