Challenger 2 problems, Again

[Sappo]

Took the chally out for a run today and it just stopped. On closer examination found that the left track was partially detracking off the sprocket and locking up tight. The tension hasn't changed, everything seems to be working ok it just keeps riding up on the sprocket. Any ideas

[oldwolf]

The only thing I see is what looks like a loose screw stuck in the track. But perhaps that is just some random thing in the background, it seems blurry.

[Rubicon99]

Took the chally out for a run today and it just stopped. On closer examination found that the left track was partially detracking off the sprocket and locking up tight. The tension hasn't changed, everything seems to be working ok it just keeps riding up on the sprocket. Any ideas

Does your sprocket have a track retention ring set? Two rings that sit inside the sprocket that the track teeth pass through.

If so the track teeth can “ride up” on to one of the rings and cause an issue similar to what you have pictured. There are many reasons as to why this happens but the most common is debris catch between the retention rings pushing the track teeth out of the ring slot causing it to ride up on top of the teeth of the sprocket. This situation then causes the track to become very tight and will most likely stall the motors.

[Sappo]

Oldwolf what you saw was a tow hook, had to go and have a look myself. Rubicon yes it has 2 retaining rings but there is nothing stuck in there. I've had both sprockets off and swapped them around and it is still doing it. Would you recommend taking a ring out and which one

[Rubicon99]

Oldwolf what you saw was a tow hook, had to go and have a look myself. Rubicon yes it has 2 retaining rings but there is nothing stuck in there. I've had both sprockets off and swapped them around and it is still doing it. Would you recommend taking a ring out and which one

Try it with the rings out and see what happens. Also do you have axel hull bearings?

[Sappo]

Yeah I have the bearings, I took them out to check them out and they're all good.,I'll give your suggestion a try

[Sappo]

Well taking out the rings didn't work so I got grumpy and slapped on a old Abrams plastic sprocket I had and it worked great

[Rubicon99]

Well taking out the rings didn't work so I got grumpy and slapped on a old Abrams plastic sprocket I had and it worked great

What tracks are you running on the Challenger? Are they Abrams, Leopard 2 or Challenger tracks. There is a difference in Challenger track link width vs the other two. The Challenger track should not work with the Abrams or Leopard 2 sprockets because it is slightly narrower.

I am wondering if the issues was you got Leopard 2 metal tracks vs Challenger tracks. Leopard tracks do work with Abrams sprockets.

[Sappo]

I couldn't tell you what the tracks are, I bought the tank already upgraded with them from Toucan. The problem has only just started, I had no issues with them before

[SoCalBobS]

Hey R99, I see others have the same issue! I just received my Challenger, and I recall you saying things had to be done to have the tracks run correctly. Both my earlier Leopard and this tank both try to detrack sometimes on the lefthand sprocket, not really doing it too often, but trying to. I fixed the Leopard with a combination of track tension (snug) and some washers in strategic places. Any other fixes you discovered? I'm using some generic axle bearings, but I have HL's with the appropriate housings ready to install. (Looks like the Leopard and Challenger tracks are the same.)

I did notice in the Leopard that HL had put a washer in between the retaining rings, probably for the reasons you mentioned.

Here's my planned paint scheme:

[Rubicon99]

Hey R99, I see others have the same issue! I just received my Challenger, and I recall you saying things had to be done to have the tracks run correctly. Both my earlier Leopard and this tank both try to detrack sometimes on the lefthand sprocket, not really doing it too often, but trying to. I fixed the Leopard with a combination of track tension (snug) and some washers in strategic places. Any other fixes you discovered? I'm using some generic axle bearings, but I have HL's with the appropriate housings ready to install. (Looks like the Leopard and Challenger tracks are the same.)

I did notice in the Leopard that HL had put a washer in between the retaining rings, probably for the reasons you mentioned.

Here's my planned paint scheme:

The Challenger has always had issues especially with the left side track. How I fixed it was switching over to Abrams sprockets, adding axle support bearings and Tamiya Leopard 2 or Tamiya Abrams tracks. Why Tamiya tracks specifically? They have slightly taller guide teeth that tend to have better hold against the center retaining rings which in turn makes it harder for the track to "ride" over the retaining rings. Lastly I use only one retaining ring (outside one) not two. Two tend to hold dirt/sand between them. This can cause the guide teeth to ride up on the dirt/sand and over the retaining rings.

All the above usually helps a fair amount but the Challenger will still need to be driven with care. IMO the Challenger is not a good starter tank but once all the above is done and it is driven by a person with experience it can be a decent performing tank.

[Evan D]

I also went to a different two pin track, different sprockets with taller guide disks and drive axle bearings. I needed to space the sprocket halves wider with washers and then the guide disks were loose so I JB Welded the whole thing together. No problem since.

[SoCalBobS]

Anyone done business with Novahobbyinc? I'm looking for red 390's for my C2.