Tuning Pioneer Mustang

[Jeff T]

Just got a Pioneer P012 Ford 1968 Mustang Notchback T/A #21 Red.
Need some tips for tuning.
The spacers on the front axle assembly are causing the axle to bind because it is just way to tight of a fit.
When front axle assembly is removed from the chassis the axle spin freely in the bushings, when snapped into the chassis they barely spin a whole revolution.
I ran it without the front tires and it was faster and handled better.
Having never disassembled a front axle assembly before I am looking for some tips.
It is also very loud and this seems to be quieter with the body removed.
I lubricated the gears and check for any type wheel rub or motor issues but saw none.
Any help with this will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Jeff

[waaytoomuchintothis]

Pioneer fronts are very slotracer friendly. Just grasp the wheels firmly and twist while pulling. It will give you a gratifying slip, just enough to free the axle and not create extra slop. No trouble at all.

[JULES]

Jeff,

The advice about giving the front wheels an opposite turn against each other to 'crack' the tight fit is correct. You only need a hair in terms of movement and the wheels will spin freely.

With regard to the loudness of the car when running with body on, this is a well known issue that often manifests itself with sidewinder chassis and full interiors. More often than not, the general noise of the gears and the drive train gets amplified particularly if there contact between the motor and the interior cockpit floor that covers over the motor. With Pioneer models, there is a small ceramic capacitor disc inline to the lead wires on the motor. When/if this disc is in firm contact with the motor cover it can set up a resonance through the body that simply gets louder the faster the car goes.

Although Harry suggested that it may be a crack or split in the pinion, this would be very unlikely. The Pinion has an 'anti-split' flange on the motor side that will prevent splitting in between the teeth that sometimes happens with non-flanged gears when they are push-fitted onto the motor shaft. If a pinion fails like this, 99% of the time it happened during install at factory, not during use. Personally, I've never seen a Pioneer one split.

I hope you can sort out the front wheels and the general running noise doesn't spoil your enjoyment too much. Play some loud music while you race ;)

Jules
@ Pioneer

[Jeff T]

Thanks for the feedback all.
Hopefully I will get back on the track early next week to make these modifications.
It would be nice to get that car to run as good as it looks.

Jeff

[Jeff T]

waaytoomuchintothis and jules,

gave that front axle assembly a little twist and pull now the front axle is spinning nice and free.
what a difference the car is faster and handles much much better.
thanks for the help.

harry,

i will look into the pinion gear when locate my gear puller, know i have one around somewhere.

thanks as well.

jeff

[Dangermouse]

If you are playing around with pinions you could try changing form a 12t pinion to a 13t pinion - I think they run quite well with the 13t
once setup I find the Pioneer cars very competitive against scalextric cars in either mag or non mag format - my Smokey Camaro is super smooth - I like them so much I put a Pioneer chassis under my Carrera Superbird (ex-Pro-X digital chassis) and it runs really well now

[JULES]

[Jeff T]

hey jules,

it is the 2017 edition

[32lbking]

I have the earlier version. What are the differences ?
Randy