Stampede Maintenance

[19000rpm]

Somehow my wife hasn't destroyed her Stampede yet, so before that happens, I'd like some advice on maintenance. What to do and how to do it. Thanks in advance.

[r/c basher]

Depends on how many runs you have on your stampede but it doesn't need a whole lot of maintence, mainly keep it clean, take the shocks out and check that the a-arms are moving up and down freely. And the shocks are moving smoothly and aren't leaking or feel like they have air bubbles in them. Check that the steering isn't binding.

Take the wheels off and make sure all 8 bearings on the axles are spinning freely and are clean. If I remember right the new stampedes have rubber shielded bearings?

You might want to take the spur gear cover off and check the gear mesh isn't too tight or to loose, which would cause the spur gear to strip. I find that the paper trick works decent.

How many runs about do you have on the stampede?

I also forgot to mention to check all the screws to make sure there aren't any loose.

[19000rpm]

Good advice. I'll do all those checks. What do I lube the shocks and tranny with if they need it? The tranny seems to be leaking slightly.

I haven't kept a log on the runs. My best guess would be at least 20.

[r/c basher]

For the shocks you use none other than shock fluid, it comes in many different weights from about 15 to 60. I would probably use something around 35, www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=LOSA5225#quickOverview .
search.horizonhobby.com/index.jsp?N=0&Ntt=silicone+shock+oil&sid=1318D7DD1828

Your LHS will have it. But if you only have around 20 runs on it, you won't need to do it for a while. Unless there low or leaking.

As for the tranny, something like this would work, or something comparable- www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDDW2&P=Z

[19000rpm]

Thanks, r/c

[19000rpm]

Well, she tightened everything up and there appears to be no leaks in the shocks and the tranny is pretty tight too with just a slight seepage at the joint. She tightened those screws too.

She went out and drove the heck out of it through 2 5000 packs. The only damage that I can see so far are on the corners of the truck bed and on the nose from the countless roll overs and flips. I'm so impressed at how well built this thing is. That and she wants to do all the maintenance herself.

[r/c basher]

I told you its durable. ;D It came out in 1994, same year I was born, and its still around today. Thats one of the reasons why the stampedes cousin, the slash was so popular. The stampede has evened saved soldiers lives.

Out of about the 10 years that Ive owned my stampede the only things I can remember breaking was the idler gear and spur gear. And I don't bash it lightly, its climbed trees before 6 ft. in the air and it keeps coming back for more. Its my favorite rc truck, thats probably why I have two of them. Im hoping eventually Ill buy a brushless system for it, and take it to the skate park and beach, and see how she handles it.

www.rccaraction.com/blog/2011/08/04/traxxas-rc-truck-saves-soldiers-lives-in-afghanistan/

Heres a few bashing ideas that Ive found-
www.rccaraction.com/blog/2011/08/03/great-places-for-extreme-bashing/

After reading this Ive found that I have most of these types of places right here close by.

Also the stampede is a pretty low maintence truck.

I'm planning on eventually taking one of my stampedes and set it up for water and snow, and then the other one for speed.

[19000rpm]

Awesome stuff r/c. What do we need to do to set it up for snow? We definitely want to do that.

[r/c basher]

Aug 5, 2011 6:19:09 GMT -6 19000rpm said:

Awesome stuff r/c. What do we need to do to set it up for snow? We definitely want to do that.

Well for me it will be different because I have the older version of the stampede, my plan is to install the stock bushings because the bearings that I have now arent sealed. And some other minor things.

If I remember right your stampede has rubber shielded bearings and hex screws? Your stampede has the waterproof electronics. Also in the snow, and water I would only run nimh batteries, because lipos I dont think like water.

Me personally I wouldn't run your stampede in the snow, you'll ruin the brushed motor eventually, and on mine the screws are starting to rust, and the bearings are going bad after running it you have a big mess. I find that it wasn't really worth it to run for 10 minutes then spend a half hour cleaning it.

I'm not saying don't do it, just warning you of what could happen, your stampede was more prepared for wet stuff then mine cause it has rubber shielded bearings and hex hardware I think. I'll have to dig out one of my old rccaractions that gave some good tips to run in the mud, and snow.

[19000rpm]

Yep, it's supposed to be waterproof. I can see where it would require a lot of drying and cleaning though. Actually the brushed motor shouldn't be a problem if it's dried at the end of the day.

Well, I must have jinxed it by bragging on it too much. We went out later and she stripped the spur gear. I think the motor loosend up at the mounting plate. Well, no big deal, we're going to pick up a new spur gear today or tomorrow along with some miscellaneous stuff to have on hand. I might add some loctite to those motor mounting screws.

She likes the Stampede so much she may get another one so she has a back up in case of a breakdown like yesterday. And then we can have races too. I'm sure she'll kick my but.

[r/c basher]

Yeah the only thing that really breaks every now and then on the stampede is the spur gear. I've gone through probably 4 or 5 since owning mine.

If your looking to get another one, instead of buying another stampede you might want to look at the rustler or slash. They share all the major components and electronics, just different chassis.

Rustler- traxxas.com/products/models/electric/3705rustler
Slash- traxxas.com/products/models/electric/5805slash

Or if you want to go all out buy the stampede 4x4-
traxxas.com/products/models/electric/6708stampede4x4vxl

[19000rpm]

Well, she broke another part in the steering A arm assembly. Took it apart and found the part it was attached to was bent and the spindle bent too. Went to the LHS and got more parts. We chose the RPM replacements since they are supposed to be even more durable. I'm sure that was a good decision.

She looked at all the trucks and had a major flinch at the price of the 4X4. She looked at the other trucks too. We went home with the Stampede "Maximum Destruction".


She's had 4 runs with the new truck, so far, and really likes it. I can tell because she's slightly more gentle with it since she broke the "Grinder" twice. Now to fix that steering assembly.

[r/c basher]

I've heard that RPM makes really durable parts and if you break any of there parts theyll replace it for free. I have there bumper on both my stampedes and have yet to break it and the bumper does a good job of protecting the rest of the truck.

The main reason that the stampede 4x4 is so expensive because its brushless and can do 60 mph. And... its pure awesome.

[19000rpm]

I'm sure the 4x4 is worth every penny. Maybe a christmas gift.

Anyway, we're having fun with the two brushed trucks. Racing freestyle demolishin' derby style. Lot's of wrecks.

We're getting pretty good rescuing each other on turnovers. The rescue vehicle lines up with the turned over vehicle right between the tires and pushes the turned over vehicle back on its wheels. The Grinder is easier to get back on the tires than Maximum Destruction. Not as much body area to catch and roll it over with. When they're both on their backs we decide who walks over to right them both. We do that based on who was the better at causing the wreck. The loser walks to perform the rescue.

Next we're going to set up some pylons. That will be more challenging.

Those bodies are really durable too. But, the bed on the Grinder finally gave way at the 2 clip down areas. When I went to repair the holes I was surprised to see that they were more torn than shattered. I was able to get most of the edges back together and epoxied the tears. A little touch up paint and it looks good as new.