New SC10; binding tranny and play in top shaft

[SteveK]

What's the problem you are having with the gear diff? Mine went together fine, we'll see how it holds up.

Gear diffs are generally more durable and easier to build than ball diffs. I've had some in Tamiya cars that I have never taken apart since they were built. Ball diffs handle better, but will be more maintenance, but it's not too bad. A ball diff kit is only a few bucks more than a whole new gear diff set, so it might be something to think about if you need to replace it.

Call Associated about it, see if there really is a recall. If they want you to ship it back before sending out a replacement, don't even bother, it's not worth it. Traxxas upgraded the bulkheads in their 1/16th scale trucks and just sent out new ones if you called them, might have to have registered the truck first but they took care of the problem they knew about for free.

[Panhead383]

I was getting a tick noise out of mine, so i called Associated. He sent me for free the shims to install and it was fixed! Call them they will take care of you.

[drillNink]

i took mine in to associated and the guy took it apart and checked it and put it back together thinking it would be ok and it still did the same thing...he ended up jus re building the whole gear diff now shes screamin like she did when she was new lol

[bully]

After a while you should check the play in the out drives and if very wobbly add another shim on the inside diff side to maintain proper mesh. I also found from the out drives being really wobbly after cpl months racing the out drive bearings get hammered much harder and part of the gearbox noise comes from when bearings are trashed the diff actually moves in the case and wears the overlapping side of diff half on the idler, look closely next time u rebuild and my motto is build it with the recommended shims then as soon as out drives start to wobble badly shim it some more.

[jwscab]

I just took a look at this gear diff they are putting in this car. What a crappy design. Really. Was a ball diff that much more money? Are the gears really that much tougher with a slipper clutch?