JLB Cheetah Tie rod issue? Broken steering hub? Must do mod/improvement

Welcome back I've been looking at the cheetah this week fixing a few minor issues, that can lead to you not being able to play.
So here's my solution before the problem happens. Take a good look at your tie rods and the ball joints I'll explain and show you in this very short video.
Link to the ball joints has been removed YET Another seller changing items without updating listing.
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[@gillian9178]

Where do you get the ball joints from, do you have a part number or link to them. Thank you.

[@mehimrc1314]

Unfortunately the seller didnt change his listing so I dont have a link atm. They're just offset on one side by 2mm shouldn't be too hard to find.

[@gillian9178]

@@mehimrc1314 Sorted now, i turned up some 1 mm & 2 mm thick spacers in stainless 3mm bore x 4mm o/d. Added a 1mm thick spacer to the outer ball joint & 2mm thick to the inner ball joint. In effect the spacers make the ball 1 mm or 2 mm longer, this turned the stock balls into the exact ones you fitted yourself by being wider on one side. They work perfectly now with no straining or bending the plastic arms on the steering assembly. The tie rod ball ends are now free to move with no binding what so ever when the suspension & shocks is at full compression or extension.

[@mehimrc1314]

@@gillian9178 Perfect to hear you've managed to make the same thing and not go too wide on the diameter. Smart very smart,all it takes is a concept to follow and you came up with the exact same, with the exact outcome I knew. Thanks for taking the time to confirm the things I said it would help.

[@johnathan7704]

@@gillian9178 Any links to that item?

[@mehimrc1314]

@@johnathan7704 I think they were machined by @gillian9178 from some existing material. Not sure but I've been looking for something similar and the sizes are just off one way or another.

[@ItsRCTeng]

great Mod there friend. I'm all about the Cheetah and any video on this truck helps a lot with managing and perfecting this awesome basher.

[@mehimrc1314]

It's a good truck that can be better like and car with a bit of TLC.

[@kirkmartin6131]

I'm glad I found you, I just got the cheetah and I know you're going to save me a lot of headache. Great fixes man!

[@mehimrc1314]

Its a great car, little heavy so watch your ankles lol. Thanks for the commemt bro hope you enjoy your Cheetah.

[@isaiahjohnson4105]

OMG thank u for the info. I've had jlb j3 speed for two yours and I'll tell I'm still in line with it. It for the most part it's all out if the box. Besides bearings gyro and upgraded steering.

[@mehimrc1314]

It's a great car for the price I payed over a year ago. Mine has had most bearings changed that's about it apart from my minor mods it's a fun car.

[@rckidmike3561]

I didn't even think to check my car for when it flexes! Mine were stuck on kraton earlier because the ends were not aligned, so I put them on the same plane. Nice quick video

[@mehimrc1314]

I've broke 1 steering block never put much more thought into it. Set my suspension up rebound ect. (perfect) BUT the car wouldn't bottom out? Hydro lock on the shock??? Eh! Head was demented. Checked the car over and it was squeaking like mad took one look then noticed that. I honestly believe Me,You or anyone else will have better luck with this adaptation. Cheers for the comment and support dude,helping others is energy sapping.

[@RonanKearney1]

man. what a great mini upgrade. I'm just noticing the bend now as i have mine at hand. Thanks for the tip

[@mehimrc1314]

Thanks for the comment, it'll save your knuckles and your steering linkage. You'll need to add longer screws but I didn't and it works fine.

[@RonanKearney1]

@@mehimrc1314 to be fair buddy I've had no problems with these links at all... I have my steering dialed in and all is running smooth. I have recently upgraded my J3SPEED to all aluminium front. A arms and knuckles. That keeps the front down. I'm waiting for on a 6x dumbo radio and gyro receiver. Canny wait to to do 50 foot power slides. I love this truck. Thanks for the vids dude..

[@mehimrc1314]

Same I didn't have much of an issues but I seen it causing a lot of stress on those parts. Now I feel better bashing the cheetah well when it's running again, needs a new ESC.

[@RonanKearney1]

@@mehimrc1314 Ali express seems cheapest for parts. I hope you're back up and running soon. The 120amp esc for the JLB seems great.

[@coquirc4537]

Always helping the RC Community dude! Rock on with it! I do want one of these but i think im going ti pull the trigger in an Arrma Kraton 6s first. Of course it'll be a while until thia happens!

[@mehimrc1314]

Im happy with my little 144/124 wltoys collection. So I got the trx4 and the Typhon V3 3s it's a beast. Personally just pull the trigger dude it's what ever makes you happy. Love my cheetah but do it haha

[@coquirc4537]

@@mehimrc1314 Depends on budget and despwration for a new car lol! For now im focusing on all the Wltoys. But that the Kraton and the cheetah are coming!

[@51im]

I've bought the balls in the link. The stand off part of the ball interferes with the rod end and actually gives less rotation than the originals. I've found that all that's needed is a washer between the original ball and the steering link to stop the ball from biting into the plastic. As it's easy to overtighten them and reduce movement. They also caused more stress on the hub and steering bar due to being longer and having a less direct connection. I've taken them off and reverted to my original setup.

[@mehimrc1314]

Three days for delivery thats rapid! So I'm inclined to doubt you, in the video I clearly show how it works, before and after stress and no stress and my car is working PREFECTLY. Bashed it a few times a it's way better.

[@51im]

@@mehimrc1314 they arrived yesterday. . The up and down suspension movement was ok although less than originals but they created more play when actually steering due to the extra leverage of the pivot point being further from the arm. You were probably doing them up too tight. Like I said, it just needs a washer under the ball to stop them biting into the plastic.

[@mehimrc1314]

@@51im I've had the car out a few times since the upload and for Me I'm not having any extra issue. The only time I've had an issue was putting the link on top of the steering arm messing around, that totally messed with the steering geometry. I added a washer to the stock cheetah ones and they didnt rotate at all. Sorry your not happy with the mod but I'm having no issues. Also have you adjusted your steering end points or are you still over steering the car aswell.

[@51im]

@@mehimrc1314 toe links fitted same as yours as otherwise, as you mention, it messes up the steering geometry. It's possible I've been sent the wrong balls. On eBay it show them being tapered at one end with a wider seat and straight on the other end. . Mine have got a wider part on both ends. Which could be limiting movement. Do yours have a wider ridge at both ends.

[@mehimrc1314]

@@51im I've been down to check the car yet again, Steering fine, No added pressure on the linkage or steering hub hence the point of the video. If you've been sent different/wrong ones then I'll need to take the link down. If you've fitted it as in the video everything should work fine. Starting to see these uploads more trouble than it's worth.

[@isaiahjohnson4105]

I call my j3 my Jesus car because with my eBay paddles on her.. she literally drives on water. 3s all original esc and motor. All I did was turn the punch on the esc to 7 and the top center nob on remote almost all the way down and no joke she's like in xmax 8s and I for real drive her on water

[@mehimrc1314]

Haha that's a crazy message to read cheetah running on water. Well referred to as got jesus car, next it'll part oceans my friend lol. They are great cars for the money I payed over a year ago.

[@gillian9178]

When you wrap your tyres do you use fishing line & simply wrap the line & tie it off. Then apply spots of super glue all round the tyre to hold on to the tyre, dosn't look like you have drilled holes in the tread block for the line to pass through as some do. Great vids man.

[@mehimrc1314]

Yip I totally cheated if you pull the line to tight going thought the tread the tire distorts,for Me anyway. Its was easier to wrap it a few times over laping the each wrap, then tied it off with a simple knot. As you guessed glue it onto the side of the thread though. Dont just go crazy all around the tire it'll stiffen and maybe crack the tire. So add glue to where its inline with the knobbles worked for Me. Thanks for your comment and support.

[@chriscollins9852]

Having trouble for it to steer service working it just won't steer

[@mehimrc1314]

I'm guessing your servo is working but the car won't steer? Check the servo saver.....

[@bashaz8559]

What do yo uy do about the fricking dogbones, all 4 bent each time after mediocre jumps. Heat treat and temper?

[@mehimrc1314]

Sounds like you've got the knowledge to do so. I'd of tried but RC parts in the oven I might get slapped. Take it apart and give it a try

[@Das-Veilchen-X]

Cool Video 😎✌🏻 Lg Max

[@mehimrc1314]

thanks dude

[@gillian9178]

What do you think of the Cheetahs, been thinking of getting one. Mainly for running on fast flattish grass runs & on tarmac. no jumping or stunts really just fast hooning around, also considered the ZD Pirates monster truck or the ZD Truggy version. But am airing towards one the various Cheetahs.

[@mehimrc1314]

The ZD does look nice but I haven't had one to compare. Since your only going to be hooning around then why not go for a cheetah. Parts are cheap and seem widely available for this car. What ever car you look at, check to see if you can buy spare parts. That always helps before pulling the trigger on any car.

[@gillian9178]

@@mehimrc1314 Yes thats why i mainly stick to Arrma & such like brands to get good parts back up. Trucks like the Vkar Bison for example are difficult for parts especially if you are in the UK. The Cheetah's have good parts supply from Banggood with not bad delivery times, downside to the Cheetah's now is the higher prices than what they were & the very high shipping costs now £84 to the UK. Putting the price to £330-350 with shipping, not sure they are worth that much. Would probably be better putting the £350 towards another mainstream brand at the end of the day.

[@mehimrc1314]

@@gillian9178 I was lucky, got mine way,way back V1 cheetah cost about £220 80amp free delivery. And the Typhon I just got I picked that up for £260 as I had discount available. Even without discount the typhon only costs £325-£345. So your right for the money BUT the slipper unit for the typho costs £60+ The cheetah slipper is like £16+20 max. You can get lost in numbers all day it's what brings a smile to your face that counts.

[@gillian9178]

@@mehimrc1314 absolutely re fun, i just added to the fleet with new Typhon 3s BLX v3 for £304 & new Big Rock 3s BLX v3 for £308. This is now what makes the Cheetah's seem expensive for what they are now + the Arrma spares are available over night, all be it at a higher price.

[@mehimrc1314]

@@gillian9178 yeah pricing is all mental now with what's going on. Jlb need to remember where they started,its a great basher but I got it earlier when it was cheap.

[@jeffmyers7062]

Nice , still running it ?

[@mehimrc1314]

Thanks and no i sold it last year, big space on the wall now.

[@adopancia7445]

On 4S I keep on snapping the rear dogbones, does it happen to you too...?

[@mehimrc1314]

I only run 3s so hasn't happened yet. How do you snap them through torque or hard landings.

[@adopancia7445]

@@mehimrc1314 I could not say: I usually use it in not flat grass fields, so in the speed even torque and hard hits can cause it, probably. Btw, I just realized that in my last session I snapped a front dogbone too. I saw something wrong and I stopped after seeing a rear one broken, realizing only now that even a front one is gone...

[@mehimrc1314]

@@adopancia7445 oh not good dude your noticing more broken bones. I can't even advice of other brands to try, hopefully they'll make some actual upgraded dogbones for the cheetah.

[@isaiahjohnson4105]

I bought metal cause I couldn't loosen them up

[@mehimrc1314]

Wow couldn't loosen them up. Well metal ones look like the best upgrade if your stuck.

[@antonioespindola2000]

Has anybody found these online I want to change them before braking something thanks in advance

[@mehimrc1314]

I haven't found a replacement parts yet, most sellers are a nightmare to work with or can't provide information on their own products. Sorry dude but if you look in the comments, someone uses a small washer underneath to basically get the same effect. Hope this helps you out

[@antonioespindola2000]

@@mehimrc1314 cool thanks for responding that I guess now is the least of my worries I just lost the front pin of the center shaft on my first run out of the box 🤨

[@mehimrc1314]

@@antonioespindola2000 hang on so the car has thrown the drive shaft front pin, leaving you rear wheel drive. That actually happened to me, I brazed the pin back into place with some soldering rod. Hope that helps as well

[@antonioespindola2000]

@@mehimrc1314 cool thanks 👍🏻