Mad Dog USA Sat Aug 07, 2010 12:36 pm
How do you set the "Backlash" (Clearance) between the pinion and the bull (larger) gear?
This setting will have a LARGE impact on pinion gear performance....
too lose = less contact area and additional surface heat that will lead to early failure.
too tight = binding, motor bearing heat, gear tooth surface tearing, early failure.
Of course running the piss out of the car (Having Fun) also wears out well adjusted parts - fact of mechanical systems!
If you have a 0ne to Ten ratio and the gears are the same material (with proper backlash) the smaller gear in an un-lubricated drive will wear out eight to ten times faster than the larger gear.
If you put in a harder (metal) pinion gear, the gear ratio wear will be skewed by the relative hardness and the bull gear wear will be accelerated......
Bottom Line = keep spares on hand and examine the car before "the big race" :D
[50%] 
! Just looking for some opinions on switching to the aluminium spur gear. Has anyone used one yet?? If I do switch to aluminium what else should I upgrade to avoid breaking more parts ? 
