Torro metal road wheel for the Heng Long

[keilau]

Torro makes a set of metal road wheels for the Heng Long German Leopard 2A6, 3889. This set includes the metal road wheels with bearings and rubber tires, a full replacement set of metal suspension arms to connect the Torro wheels to the Heng Long Chassis. It is available from Taigentanks.com at about the same price as the HL metal road wheel set.
https://www.taigentanks.com/products/leopard-2a6-metal-road-wheels-w-rubber-tires-suspension-arms?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=1f8d031ae&pr_ rec_pid=5609592783015&pr_ref_pid=5609592455335&pr_ seq=uniform

On paper, it seems like a better set than HL's own metal wheel. Did any one try it yet?

[keilau]

The Torro/Taigen made for Heng Long suspension arm is on the left and the for Torro arm is on the right. They are different. The Torro website sells the for Heng Long road wheel set separately only.

[tank_me]

I personally would assume when looking at Torro/Taigen suspension, tracks, and sprockets that they are not compatible with HL unless someone tells you specifically that a part fits because they have done it. Typically Taigen/Torro suspension arms mount differently, the wheels mount differently to those arms (like the T34), sprockets can have a different back spacing (like the KV-1), and tracks can have a different tooth spacing (like the KV-1). Those are just a few examples I've encountered. I think some of the WW2 German tracks can be interchanged, but don't quote me on that as I don't have any Taigen/Torro German tanks.

[keilau]

I personally would assume when looking at Torro/Taigen suspension, tracks, and sprockets that they are not compatible with HL unless someone tells you specifically that a part fits because they have done it. Typically Taigen/Torro suspension arms mount differently, the wheels mount differently to those arms (like the T34), sprockets can have a different back spacing (like the KV-1), and tracks can have a different tooth spacing (like the KV-1). Those are just a few examples I've encountered. I think some of the WW2 German tracks can be interchanged, but don't quote me on that as I don't have any Taigen/Torro German tanks.

Torro makes a set of metal road wheels specifically for the Heng Long German Leopard 2A6, 3889. This set includes the metal road wheels with bearings and rubber tires, a full replacement set of metal suspension arms to connect the Torro wheels to the Heng Long Chassis. It is available from Taigentanks.com at about the same price as the HL metal road wheel set. The Torro made for Heng Long suspension arm and the Torro for Torro arm are different. The Torro website sells the for Heng Long metal road wheel with the proper arms separately only. They do not sell the Torro for Torro metal road wheel. And the 2 sets of German Leopard 2A6 road wheels with different arms are NOT interchangeable even though they are made in the same factory.

I am waiting for delivery of a Torro set of metal road wheels made specifically for the Heng Long German Leopard 2A6, 3889. I will post how well it works after the installation on the HL Leo 2A6.

[sclui56]

Would be interested to see what Taigen did to the suspension arm for the HL version, my Taigen Leo uses torsion bars instead of HL's coiled springs.

[keilau]

Would be interested to see what Taigen did to the suspension arm for the HL version, my Taigen Leo uses torsion bars instead of HL's coiled springs.

Torro included a set of stronger coil spring. You can see the details in the taigentanks.com product links in Post #1. Several e-bay sellers are advertising the same product. I will post how well it works after the installation on the HL Leo 2A6.

I am a big fan of torsion bar suspension for 1:16 scale RC tanks. I have the HL IDF Merkava and the Tongde M60A1. I was considering the Tongde Leopard 2A7 but decided against it. I recently finished the servo recoil and elevation on the HL Leo2A6. I will stick with coil spring for Leo for now.

[keilau]

Received the package from MotionRC just moments ago. I can confirm that this set from Torro is made specifically for the Heng Long German Leopard 2A6, 3889. Will find out how well it works in the next few days.

Up to most recently, MatoMark is the only source for higher quality metal upgrade parts for Heng Long tanks. I am very excited that Torro is doing that too. I have very low opinion on the quality of Heng Long metal upgrade parts.

[keilau]

The Torro metal road wheels set for the Heng Long German Leopard 2A6 comes with 14 pieces of assembled arm and wheel and 8 pieces of coil springs. Heng Long use stronger coil springs for the 2 front and 2 aft wheels which I suspect are the new coil springs meant for. The question is whether I keep the HL middle coil springs or move the stronger HL coil springs there. The road wheel rotates smoothly on the arm axle with no loose play. In that sense, it is much better than the Heng Long arms on the HL IDF Merkava.

My first job is to paint the wheels. I remove the outer rubber tires to do the painting. I plan to use 3 coats of spray paint tonight. Installing the wheels will be simple and quick.

[keilau]

Torro does not provide any instruction on installing the metal road wheel. I found a metal road wheel upgrade for the Heng Long kit in German with English caption. It is applicable to the Torro kit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UINFNvMk2bo

Google or YouTube search are difficult because they do not understand the term "road wheel" or "coil spring".

[Max-U52]

In the future, if you need instructions or videos for torro tanks, you might try imex (taigen tanks). Pretty much the only difference between Torro and taigen is the box. They're even built in the same factory. And you can also email their new tech guy, John, at:

support@taigentanks.com

I've dealt with him before and he's very good with tanks. Erik trained him and he was really paying attention. 😼

[keilau]

In the future, if you need instructions or videos for torro tanks, you might try imex (taigen tanks). Pretty much the only difference between Torro and taigen is the box. They're even built in the same factory. And you can also email their new tech guy, John, at:

support@taigentanks.com

I've dealt with him before and he's very good with tanks. Erik trained him and he was really paying attention. 😼

After the debacle of the HL IDF Merkava metal road wheel (and your tip), I no longer can trust the HL metal road wheel kit.

https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc-cars-tanks-trucks-and-more/rc-tanks/392572-heng-long-3958-1-idf-merkava-iv-basic-version-to-metal-upgrade/page5#post403192

There is a little story on how I found the Torro metal road wheel kit for HL that I am using. I first saw this kit at the Taigen website and found the price high. While doing price shopping, I found the same kit at motionRC.com for $40 less. The picture showed the same Heng Long suspension arms, but no other description about being for Heng Long. In fact, the motionRC support answered several questions about whether the kit can fit HL. They specifically discouraged potential buyer from buying it for HL chassis. I know that Torro does not make plastic chassis and the kit must be for HL chassis only. I took a chance and disregard what motionRC support said. I won.

One problem with this Torro kit: It does not include any metal return roller!

[keilau]

The Leo2A6 is the third tank that I did metal road wheel upgrade and is the first upgrade with coil spring suspension. (Previous upgrade on Tongde M60A1 and HL IDF Merkava were torsion arm suspension.) The Torro metal road wheel kit comes with the suspension arm and road wheel pre-assembled. I have to re-install the coil spring on 14 road wheels. It is not difficult, but a little trickier than doing the torsion arm suspension. The YouTube video I linked in Post #9 is very helpful.

I spent half a day on the left road wheels. Check and double check everything. The right side took less than one hour. I must remove the sprocket and idler wheel for the coil spring to install properly. This is the first time I regret using the Mato idler instead of the HL idler. I have both metal parts and the HL is much simplier.

The road wheels were spray painted 3 layers of Krylon COLORmaxx Satin Italian Olive. (For better adhesion to metal surface.) The Italian olive is a very good match for WW2 tanks. It is a little too green for modern MBT. I brush paint a layer of Tamiya XF-62 Olive Drab on top.

The original plastic road wheels.

The Torro metal road wheels. There is very little visible difference.

[keilau]

There is a little story on how I found the Torro metal road wheel kit for HL that I am using. I first saw this kit at the Taigen website and found the price high. While doing price shopping, I found the same kit at motionRC.com for $40 less. The picture showed the same Heng Long suspension arms, but no other description about being for Heng Long. In fact, the motionRC support answered several questions about whether the kit can fit HL. They specifically discouraged potential buyer from buying it for HL chassis. I know that Torro does not make plastic chassis and the kit must be for HL chassis only. I took a chance and disregard what motionRC support said. I won.

I lost big time. The Torro road wheel set is very poor quality. The axle of 2 road wheel fell off the arm in less than 2 minutes of running. The wheel axle seems too small for the hole on the arm.

The axle seems to have lubricant on it so I am not sure if any CA glue or similar will work.

motionRC support is right. This Torro road wheel kit will not work on any RC tank, let alone the HL Leo2A6.

[tank_me]

That strange that Torro (or whoever made these for Torro) didn't do like they normally do which is drill the arm, tap it, install a grub screw, create a small flat on the wheel axle, and tighten the grub screw. If it's just press fit, that's dumb. The Taigen/Torro T34/85 wheels attach as I just described. Just not sure why they wouldn't be done the same way from the same company.

[keilau]

That strange that Torro (or whoever made these for Torro) didn't do like they normally do which is drill the arm, tap it, install a grub screw, create a small flat on the wheel axle, and tighten the grub screw. If it's just press fit, that's dumb. The Taigen/Torro T34/85 wheels attach as I just described. Just not sure why they wouldn't be done the same way from the same company.

It is a huge disappointment, but not surprising. Torro might have assigned the design of this upgrade road wheel kit to a junior engineer who has no experience. The road wheel axle is a very hard steel rod of 3.85mm. You can pressure press steel to steel or brass. But pressure press steel rod to soft nickel alloy as Torro did is going to fail terribly. I expect the axle steel rod to be screwed onto the arm and was surprised that it was not.

The picture that I post at #13 was captured from Taigentanks.com. The Torro arm for Torro tank has a very different road wheel attachment.

[keilau]

In the future, if you need instructions or videos for torro tanks, you might try imex (taigen tanks). Pretty much the only difference between Torro and taigen is the box. They're even built in the same factory. And you can also email their new tech guy, John, at:

support@taigentanks.com

I've dealt with him before and he's very good with tanks. Erik trained him and he was really paying attention. 😼

Can you call the attention of your contact at Taigen/Torro to their road wheel for Heng Long problem. I believe they should recall the kit. But I am not optimistic about the Torro recall.

I have a Taigen-Imex account, but my last purchase from them was a while back.

[Max-U52]

Can you call the attention of your contact at Taigen/Torro to their road wheel for Heng Long problem. I believe they should recall the kit. But I am not optimistic about the Torro recall.

I have a Taigen-Imex account, but my last purchase from them was a while back.

I'll email him when I get home from work.

Also, I'm going to try and get him to create an account here so that we can have direct contact with him. Do you guys think that would be a good idea?

[keilau]

It (Torro metal road wheel kit for HL Leo2A6) is a huge disappointment, but not surprising. Torro might have assigned the design of this upgrade road wheel kit to a junior engineer who has no experience. The road wheel axle is a very hard steel rod of 3.85mm. You can pressure press steel to steel or brass. But pressure press steel rod to soft nickel alloy as Torro did is going to fail terribly. I expect the axle steel rod to be screwed onto the arm and was surprised that it was not.

The picture that I post at #13 was captured from Taigentanks.com. The Torro arm for Torro tank has a very different road wheel attachment.

On the other hand, the Torro OEM German Leopard 2A6 runs fine on rough terrain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uZLY1hEIGY

[keilau]

The Torro metal road wheel kit for HL Leo2A6 is on its way back to MotionRC.com for refund.

[keilau]

I finally ordered a set of Heng Long metal road wheels for the Leopard 2A6. It comes with ball bearings, hub caps and return rollers. The Pro version of the Leopard 2A6 already has metal suspension arms. But the road wheels axles are undersized at 5.85mm. The axle needs to be 6.02mm for the ball bearing ID. I also ordered a set of aftermarket suspension arms, but the axles are the same under sized 5.85mm OD.

https://www.toucanhobby.com/products/hx-3889-metalsprocketsidlers-dzn1?variant=44507355152634

I cannot figure out how the plastic return rollers were attached to the chassis. While I can remove the return roller's screw using an extractor tool. But it will ruin the screws and the road wheel kit do not come with any hardware.