Optima Mid Metal Counter/Idler Gear

[DanB4]

Morning all!

I was stripping down my latest mid from eBay last night as it's parts are needed for my LWB runner project.

I thought the transmission was a little noisy which made me wonder if it had a metal idler gear. On opening the rear gearbox I noticed it does indeed have one, which I haven't seen before and must be an aftermarket item(??).

Is this a good idea for a runner? The noise is obviously the metal on metal teeth of the top 2 gears as the diff gear is still plastic.....maybe if i just pack a load of black grease on the metal teeth it'll make the car a bit more brushless ready?

Thoughts?

Dan

[alcyon]

yes, put black grease on them, and also check the tooth direction, it may have been assembled wrongly becuase since the gears have already been used, they will probably be shaped in one direction. Its better to use the metal center gear as i find the plastic gear is pretty weak. If its really metal it could be an aftermarket addition from the 80's if its aluminium then its from pargu2000. The pargu2000 ones dont last long too. 30 packs and the teeth becomes sharp.

[DanB4]

Originally Posted by alcyon

yes, put black grease on them, and also check the tooth direction, it may have been assembled wrongly becuase since the gears have already been used, they will probably be shaped in one direction. Its better to use the metal center gear as i find the plastic gear is pretty weak. If its really metal it could be an aftermarket addition from the 80's if its

Thanks mate - I have an old tube of Tamiya Molybdenum black grease, will use it.

Dan

[Chalkie]

I've got a tuffnol (not sure thats spelt right) idler in my runner, I seem to remember them being fit and forget back in the day, might be worth tracking one down? I think SRM made them.

[mr. ed]

The metal one would be the steel combo by MIP: idler and top gear in one package... or was it tThorp/dirt burners? It's been such a long time since I took those out of their package, sorry.