HSP Baja 2wd restoration log

[Patrik]

Never owned a 1/5 before so this going to be interesting
The car seems to be complete, all components are probably in its place but some of them in a terrible condition. I´m also
counting on surprises during the tear down. Just hope it´s not beyond repair.

Me and my 5 year old son is going to try to bring it back to life.

So we slowly tearing down the car. Starting with the center diff gear assembly.
Previous owner gave us a hint about the car did not drive but the engine was running the last time he used it.

Quick notice:
The rear end have a noticeable drop. Can you restore the shocks or do yo have to buy new ones?

 

[crucialRC]

Nice car. Everything is replaceable/upgradeable on these cars. Sometimes the problem is finding the part. Have fun!

 

[RcJunkie13]

The rear end have a noticeable drop. Can you restore the shocks or do yo have to buy new ones?

You can change shock oil weight, spring weight, and pistons

 

[Phill2]

Never owned a 1/5 before so this going to be interesting
The car seems to be complete, all components are probably in its place but some of them in a terrible condition. I´m also
counting on surprises during the tear down. Just hope it´s not beyond repair.

Me and my 5 year old son is going to try to bring it back to life.

So we slowly tearing down the car. Starting with the center diff gear assembly.
Previous owner gave us a hint about the car did not drive but the engine was running the last time he used it.

Quick notice:
The rear end have a noticeable drop. Can you restore the shocks or do yo have to buy new ones?

That droop is the same on both of mine.
I just put more preload on the shocks.

 

[Patrik]

You can change shock oil weight, spring weight, and pistons

Ok, what kind of oil do you use in your shocks?

 

[RcJunkie13]

Ok, what kind of oil do you use in your shocks?

Do your shocks have preload adjustment?
I use 40wt in my Baja rears, however, it’s a different rig, so you may need to experiment a bit

 

[Patrik]

That droop is the same on both of mine.
I just put more preload on the shocks.

Ok! Do you manage to rise it completely with a preload adjustment. I fiddled around with mine but i did not notice any bigger change in height.
Maybe my springs are tired?

 

[Phill2]

Ok, what kind of oil do you use in your shocks?

I haven't changed from stock.

 

[RcJunkie13]

It could be, you can replace the springs, if you take them out, how hard is it to compress with your hands? Also, the lower the nut/washer, the higher the preload

 

[Phill2]

Ok! Do you manage to rise it completely with a preload adjustment. I fiddled around with mine but i did not notice any bigger change in height.
Maybe my springs are tired?

No you'll ever get it as high as the front due to the weight of the rear mounted engine

 

[Patrik]

No you'll ever get it as high as the front due to the weight of the rear mounted engine

Ok, super. Aint going to aim for that hight then

 

[Phill2]

I've tried longer springs but they made no difference.

Do your shocks have preload adjustment?
I use 40wt in my Baja rears, however, it’s a different rig, so you may need to experiment a bit

I'm thinking of trying 50wt but haven't gotten around to it.

 

[Patrik]

It could be, you can replace the springs, if you take them out, how hard is it to compress with your hands? Also, the lower the nut/washer, the higher the preload

Got preload adjustment but i don't think it make so much difference. haven't disassemble the shocks yet so i cant really tell about spring compression.

 

[MonsterAir]

I venture to say there's probably not much if any shock oil left in them. Do you have a sway bar installed?

 

[RcJunkie13]

Got preload adjustment but i don't think it make so much difference. haven't disassemble the shocks yet so i cant really tell about spring compression.

if the preload is not making a noticeable difference your springs are weak

 

[Phill2]

if the preload is not making a noticeable difference your springs are weak

Doesn't make any difference to mine even with new longer springs.
They're just rear heavy.

I venture to say there's probably not much if any shock oil left in them. Do you have a sway bar installed?

No sway bars available for em.
I looked for mine .

 

[Patrik]

Ok, so we found the problem with the drive. Someone have "weld" the outgoing drive shaft from gear assy. to the diff drive pinion. There must have been some unbalance / vibrations going on here.

Parts:
Center diff gear set: $6
Rear drive pinion : $20
Center diff mount set: $18

 

[Rep732]

Good god did you find that rig magnet fishing in a lake?

 

[Patrik]

I venture to say there's probably not much if any shock oil left in them. Do you have a sway bar installed?

No, sway bar. Is there as option?

Good god did you find that rig magnet fishing in a lake?

No, but I wonder where the previous owner was storing it. Maybe exposed of a lot of condensation?

 

[Patrik]

While waiting on parts we changed the clutch. When we flipped the engine around something started to stream out of the exhaust, water is my guess, mixed with some gas and oil.
The bearings are done but the rest of the parts look ok with on exception, the score in the cylinder, last picture.

So what to do about this scratch, can I just pretend like its raining, throw in new bearings and put it together again?