a sloppy wheel solution

[harlequin]

Hi all, newb to the site and tanking have been a long time model maker 40 odd years i have just purchased a asiatam tiger hull kit with metal suspension and mato wheels, on recieving the kit i found the "slop"in the wheels and axels a tad disconcerting also in the idler wheel on the track adjuster just to much play for me ,so i am not sure if this has been done as a mod but i thaught i would mention it as it worked very well for me . I grabbed an axel and trotted down to my local model shop they have a display of brass tubing ,rods and profiles so i had a rummage around and found a brass tube that was an almost perfect fit for the axels that cost the massive ammount of £2.60 so back home and i then spent a happy hour or two drilling out the wheels to take the brass tube, stuck the tubes into the wheels with 2 pack araldite glue and hey presto no slop in the wheels and idlers also a couple of small washers took up the play between the wheels and hangers as the tube is brass i would think it will also add to the life of the wheels and keep wear to a minimum if they should wear out it will be a simple matter to drill them out and replace the tube. i think this is a cheap and easy mod that should greatly improve the running and reliabillty of our beloved tanks. if this is a idea that has already been done i am sorry but claim newb ignorance as a defence ps if anyone is interested i can stick up some pictures of how i did it

[MarkofZollo]

Hi harlequin, I recently got the Asiatam hull too, using stock HL wheels though. Pics would be interesting, sounds like a nice mod
Cheers, Dave

[harlequin]

if i get the chance i will bung some up tonight for ya

[Saxondog]

I had this problem,using WSN Early Tiger wheels I tapped the control arms to 3.5mm and used shoulder bolts as axles. A plastic washer between the wheel hub and the control arm leaves zero play and the axles are a solid mount.

Just another option,the threaded end of the bolt has to be trimmed,using a dremel tool and very careful,slow cutting this created a solid axle which has no chance of becoming loose. I did re insert the set screws as additional safety against the axles turning.

I think we can all agree that the Asiatam control arms and axles could benefit from either of these mods.

[harlequin]

Hi Dave some pics as promised "hope these work ok"

the tools and kit you need

the wheel on the left is drilled out ready to go i used three sizes of drill bit to take the hole out rather than one large one its easier and more accurate

with brass tubing

all ready to glue in place, put plenty of glue into wheel i used the blunt end of a paint brush to work it in

glued in and filed down,when the glue is set i used a 4 mm drill bit to clear the excess glue from the inside of the tube be carefull not to score up the brass too much

finished wheels on the tank, note the small washers to take out the end float of the wheels and thats pretty much it. hope its of some use to somebody i see no reason why this wouldnt work on plastic wheels and it should greatly improve the life of the wheels.all the best Rob

[harlequin]

just a quick ps to above post .to line up the tube on the inside front of the wheel i used the blunt end of a larger drill bit to push the tube back so it sits correctly take some time to clear the glue from the inside of the wheel front or the axel will not sit correctly i used a paintbrush end and rag to clear up the glue.all the best. Rob

[Saxondog]

Seems like a well thought out modification. The metal washer is the size of the axle or the size of the tubing? Have you considered a plastic washer to reduce friction? The axles you are using are the Asiatam axles? Could you show the axles,and how they fit the new bushings?

Excellent presentation. cheers Blake

[harlequin]

Thanks for taking the time to drop by Blake,the metal washers are the size of the axels i feel you are correct with using plastic/nylon washers, on this mod. I used metal as thats what i had available not sure where i could get plastic/nylon washers of that size but they must be available somewhere on the web.The hull ,axels and early pattern Matto wheels came as a kit from Dominique @ oscommerce germany i have just been on there site and they no longer list it,i am aware there are different sizes/lengths of axels but dont know enough to say which ones i have,but as i used an axel as a pattern for the correct tube size as long as it fits into the tube with a small amount of play this mod will work ,if the fit is to tight you will not have room for a grease coat on the axels. For the uk members B&Q also stock a large range of mini tubes in brass and aluminium in there metalwork section. "just seen it there" so it could be worth a try.i will take a picture of the axels in the bushing for ya and post it up tomorrow, once again thanks for your interest in my idea and i hope it is of use to other members here.all the best Rob

[MarkofZollo]

Great idea and well outlined, will give it a go when I get time. What is the od of the brass tube? I guess id is as close to axle d as poss.
Cheers, Dave

[harlequin]

sorry Blake i havn't posted pics yet ,just had a close friend pass away and its been a busy few days as soon as i get a chance i will take some and post them for ya