Tamiya Monster Beetle diff fix

A cheap repair for a common problem

[@RR-ho5ek]

For a heavier duty fix I made two 1/8" prices of g-10 plate fiberglass and bolted them to the sides of the plates on the lower three screws like a sandwich with a washer between so the the fiberglass peices can be fully tightend down and hold the plates firmly in place with no spreading. It adds a little weight but the plates will not spread and the the transmission spins freely with no binding.

[@steveh8224]

Nice, I'm going to try this first before spending $65 on the mip ball diff. I'd rather put that money towards another tamiya rc. Ty for the video. Ok its a few days later, I did it and it works perfect! Im also using an older novak havoc brushless system. Holds up well

[@Feelgoodsimon]

Thank you so much for this. It works an absolute treat, am very happy thank you. I run a torque tuned and it has more than enough power and speed and now no more diff clicking hurray!!

[@jayhagsrc3322]

SimonsATP Awesome! I'm so glad I could help!

[@dandole5490]

Awesome video!! I bought a monster beetle off eBay, and they forgot to mention the gearbox was no good.... I followed you're video and now she runs sweet! Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@jayhagsrc3322]

Dan Dole That's awesome!! I'm glad it worked for you!

[@corabbring8198]

Thank you very Munch. This is really a good sollution. I was rebuilding my 1986 Monster Beetle and for just 3 euro my diff is working perfectly.

[@angelathrall3896]

Thank you for the video and information! Slip between the tire and wheel is a great idea to help buffer the problem.

[@CarminesRCTipsandTricks]

That's a GREAT idea, on several counts! I've been using those Traxxas shims to fix a LOT of Tamiya's SLOP sections. (I want to add, I've loved Tamiya RC vehicles since 1984! Their small shortcomings are EASILY dealt with) Your idea deals with that issue in a clever, but simple way! Thanks for sharing. I just subbed you! My channel is brand new. I should be uploading videos soon. Meanwhile, I've made lists of quite a few gtrat, simple fix videos from others, to share - now including yours! ~ Carmine

[@jayhagsrc3322]

OldfartRC Man I really appreciate it!! You are exactly right with Tamiya kits. It seems like sometimes they need that extra little something. Can't wait to see your vids!!

[@SpeedSyko]

Great video, now a days, you need to shim all rc cars. Good info!

[@Rockford108]

Thanks for the video, just installed a traxxas 1985 shim in my monster beetle & seems to have fixed It.👍

[@bitsnbobs629]

Can you believe people are selling the washers for £10 each on facebook lol. Being hands off is expensive.

[@stevenzacharakis]

Thanks, ordered a pack of these shims :D. I love this chassis. This fixes it lol. Did you do anything about the dog bone popping?

[@charlieceller5385]

This is amazing!! Thank you! Is there any particular reason that the washer has to be Teflon? Would just a normal steel washer of same size also do the job?

[@donaldgray2128]

I put a shim behind the bearing in the nylon housing , seams to work ok, easier to find a shim that size. about 1/2 mm

[@azy1]

@donaldgray Like a normal washer? I have ones that are that size or does it need to be a different material.

[@donaldgray2128]

@@azy1 One could use a nylon one , or a fibre one

[@flyingfortressrc1794]

Great tip I'll have to try.

[@bestamerica]

' i have use my R/C frog car with ORV and traxxes part and 2nd car is a half tam with ORV / half trax stampede... beautifully... already in my channel

[@fourgedmushrooms5958]

Dood great video thanks heaps. Was thinking I'd have to buy parts but think I have shimms for something else that will work

[@iggytse]

My God. I had a Tamiya Frog in the late 80s as a teen and the gearbox looked the same. It developed that click and grind. Couldn’t figure out how to fix it and lost interest in the car. A kid at school did end up telling me to super the diff but by that stage I was in senior year and focused on getting into University. I had no idea the problem was the side gearbox plates. It sure if I could have figured out the fix if I did know.

[@MKmod-hp3lw]

I put glue in them and glue both sides solid with gears in....and make positive traction

[@rcpowres]

Great video! So does that also work on the original version from 1986. Or only on the 2016 version? Anyway thumbs up!

[@NordicRC]

Nice solution! Did you know about the Monster Beetle/Blackfoot rerelease MIP Super Ball Differential?

[@jayhagsrc3322]

Nordic RC Visions I did. While I'm ecstatic MIP is making cure all, absolutely bullet proof diff, my internal tightwad wouldn't let me spend 60 beans on a part time driver. Yet :) If this starts to fail, MIP may be the way I go.

[@Tamiya8584]

Nordic RC Visions MIP ball diff price = price of cheap Tamiya kit =D

[@NordicRC]

You are right :-)

[@modelnutty6503]

this shimming will help a lot, the aluminum side plates blow outwards though. we used to scuff them up with dremel and JBweld big thin fender washers to the outsides of those side plates to stop the flexing, grind notches where needed for the screws, throw some paint at them, reassemble. washers 7/8 ID and near 2" OD, about 1/16 thick. Tamiya's fault not making the side plates thick enough to keep the gears together tight.

[@stonecold6243]

I just put the mip diff in and done!

[@beautynads]

You need to get rid of those bushings!

[@jayjay2555]

Thanks for sharing this,just ordered a pack of them,are you running the stock 540 or have you installed a bigger motor? Cheers 😊

[@jayhagsrc3322]

Jason Labross I'm running the stock motor. I may get froggy and pick up a Torque Tuned eventually, but nothing crazy for it.

[@modelnutty6503]

oh but mega fun with a 16D or 17D in there after making the rear diff side plates rigid, the acceleration and top speed easy +50%.

[@TDanny935]

Hello Jay, thank you for the great video. I just bought the Tamiya MB and the traxxas 1985 shims. Maybe noob question but do you put the shims on both sides of the diff or only one shim? Thx in advance

[@jayhagsrc3322]

I think I added to both sides, but check your diff action. If it is too tight after you assemble the trans case, take one out. You're welcome, glad I can help!

[@lhun090]

So you add the shim on top of the bevel gear? Inside the gear box? Thx

[@MKmod-hp3lw]

Mine works great for years

[@TheHobbyistRc]

Thank you!!!! That helped me so much!!! I thought that I would never fix that sound!!!! ☺☺☺☺😎😎😎😌

[@jayhagsrc3322]

Fred George Glad I could help!!

[@donaldgray2128]

I filled my diff gears with Silicon , will see how it goes as a diff lock

[@jayhagsrc3322]

You could also epoxy the gears together for a locked diff, but once you do that it ain't comin' apart