I have a theory I would like to share. My theory is that Xray knows there is a problem with the diff bulkheads, bearings on pinion gears, and diff bevel gears on the 808. Here in the states, these parts are getting pretty hard to come by.
I would like to here from people across the pond to see if there is a parts shortage there also. I don't know if there is or not, but my opinion is that there is. Everyone is breaking these parts.
The bearing outer race spins inside the bulkhead, both front and rear. I understand that certain people are having trouble with bottoming out the drive shaft into the center diff cups, but after researching the issue, I think that EVERYONE that has had a failure ultimately comes down to one common problem. That problem is the bearings spinning inside the bulkhead. The bearing outer races spin against the bulkhead, which melts the case a little. This in turn oblongs the case where the 2 bearings sit, which then puts the pinion gear at a bad angle against the bevel gear, and also puts a bind on the bearings. All this not only improperly wears parts, but also puts extra heat into the diff case, etc.
The reason I have come to this conclusion is because as an experiment, I raced my 808 on an extremely smooth dirt oval, and still had the failures everyone has thoroughly described on this message board. This ruled out alot of things that I have seen listed here. I am not hitting any jumps, tiles, etc. I simply ran it around an oval track, which in no way puts un-due stress on any of the parts that failed.
Mario, or someone at Xray needs to admit to there is a design problem, and find a cure that will both satisfy us as consumers, and Xray as a company. There has to be a simple solution to the problem. I like the idea I read on one of the threads about a spacer that goes between the two bearings on the pinion gear to prevent them from spinning, as well as from getting turned putting a bind on the bearings. Honestly, if this is the cure, how much could a spacer cost. I wouldn't even mind paying for the fix, if it is a spacer that is needed, even though alot of other companies fix design/reliability problems free of charge.
All of us die-hard Xray owners are very proud of the products we have bought from Xray over the years. Alot of these same people have posted negative comments about other competitors of Xray, especially about how they don't compare to the Xray quality and durability. To Mario----what do you think these same loyal Xray owners are saying AWAY from this message board? Worse yet, what are your / our competitors saying about all these failures? As a club racer here in the U.S., I can tell you this is starting to tarnish the excellent reputation of Xray.
Someone please address this problem.
Back to the original question.... Are these parts becoming hard to find in Europe, Australia, and Asia also?
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