Fly C5R Corvette front axels

[Michael Squier]

I just got this C5R and the front axel design is interesting anyway. It’s got the pivoting split front axel. What do you Fly enthusiasts think of it and any tiles on making it better. Mine on one side is nice and the other side either runs the fender when fully tipped up or if I push it in the axel more it’s to tight to turn.
It’s a neat idea if it were made of precision machined parts.

[chrisguyw]

Hi Michael, The Fly split "stub" axles, are not the best engineered and do nothing to help to help with handling ..................you have a couple of choices........you can either buy a 3D chassis which will eliminate the front motor (I am assuming yours is one of the front motored cars) , and will allow you to use a solid one piece axle, or, .....you can modify the front end to eliminate the axle slop.

Below is a pic. of a Fly car that I modified to do just this...........It is not a front motored car, but the front body post position on this chassis (Fly Chevron) is in a position that needed a split front axle. (Why Fly could not have moved the front body post location is a mystery to me)

Anyway, It is a bit of a chore, and you may consider a 3D chassis an easier route but, I will outline the process in case you choose to tinker.

1/ The front axle housings are reamed out to accept 3/32 id. brass/alu./styrene tubing.

2/ Two pieces of tubing are cut, and a solid full length axle (to provide alignment) are inserted and glued into position

3/ Remove the solid axle.

4/ Two lengths of 3/32 axle are cut and small 3/32 id. steel washers are soldered to the ends of the axle stubs (one washer on each stub).

5/ The stub axle are inserted into the tubes, and wheels installed.............an independently rotting front end with no slop



Cheers
Chris Walker

[Michael Squier]

Chris, that’s a neat trick for the solid mounted spit axel, I also have a Cheveron with that. But, this C5R has an even more “why did Fly do that” kind of axel. I’ll have to take a picture. Both axels have a built in pivot to move up and down. With such a short pivot arm they creat an interesting negative to positive camber. I don’t think that matters much as they really just lightly touch anyway.

[Michael Squier]

I don’t dislike it enough to swap the chassis, actually I kind of like the odd ideas different brands try. Yes, it is the front engines chassis, another quirk I like.