The screw holding the Return roller on Heng Long Leopard 2A6 is something I have never seen before. It looks like a very thin hexagonal pan head with no slot or anything on it. What tool do I use to remove the screw? The head is so thin that a piler cannot grip onto it.
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The only way I can think of to remove this return roller screws is the screw extractor tool. It will ruin the screw for sure. I will need a set of 8 special screws, 4 of each kind.
On my 2023 ventage Heng Long IDF Merkava, the return rollers have hex head screws. If I can find a Merkava screw set, it should work on the Leopard 2A6. (The return rollers are different.)
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It looks to me like one of those specialist slotted screw removal tool might be what you need.
They're usually pretty cheap, but make sure you get the right size.Comment
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How is this "slotted screw removal tool" different from the traditional screw extractor set? Do you have a picture of what you use? Thank you!Originally posted by Ratrace View Post
The traditional screw extractor set do an excellent job extracting screws, but do not leave a re-useable screw head.
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Sorry for the late reply.....Comment
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You can usually get them from "electronics" supply type stores, or the usual Ebay or Amazon. hope this helps.Comment
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I found it at Amazon. How do you use it? The HL return roller screw has a flat smooth head.Originally posted by Ratrace View Post
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Are you certain that it's a screw and not a press-fit spline pin?Originally posted by keilau View PostComment
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No, I am not certain until I can get it out. However, I can see a pointy tip sticking out at the back side of the chassis sidewall. Judging from other HL tanks that I have, it is reasonable to guessing it is a screw. But the funny screw head really puzzles me.Originally posted by sclui56 View Post
After 4 days and no other owner to comment on what they have, I start to wonder whether I am the only HL Leopard owner on this forum.
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Hopefully someone jumps in soon, I am of no help as my 2 Leo's are both from Taigen.Originally posted by keilau View PostComment
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I will have a look at mine when I get home from work. I have not paid any attention to mine, because I have not yet started work on it or had any need to take it apart.Comment
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Are both of your Leo the Torro all metal version?Originally posted by sclui56 View Post
They also sell the Heng Long Professional version of the Leopard 2A6. If your tanks are the later HL, can you check the return roller screw style?
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Thanks. My HL Leopard 2A6 was purchased as the HL Pro version that came with metal tracks and metal gearbox. I have upgraded to Tamiya hybrid track and Heng Xin gearbox.Originally posted by Meter Rat View Post
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Yes, one is IR and the other BB, both fitted with Tamiya tracks. I first switched to the DLKMC metal tracks on one and the tracks were so darn heavy (even heavier than Taigen's), then Rubicon suggested the Tamiya, never look back once fitted.Originally posted by keilau View Post
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Whipped mine apart when I got home. The return rollers are held on with a tight fitting pin/axel. No threads, it is just a push fit.
Used a pair of Xuron cutters and pliers and twisted leavered the pin out.. It was very tight.
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Thank you for taking the time to help. You make my metal road wheel upgrade project possible.Originally posted by Meter Rat View PostWhipped mine apart when I got home. The return rollers are held on with a tight fitting pin/axel. No threads, it is just a push fit.
Used a pair of Xuron cutters and pliers and twisted leavered the pin out.. It was very tight.
I don't like the idea of using a press fit axle. I hope to find a way to tap the return roller hole on the side wall if I can find the right OD machine screws.
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Good that your Taigen/Torro tank is Tamiya/HL compatible. I have a pair of Tamiya tracks that I want to use on Tongde M60 but found that there is no easy way of doing it. Rubicon99 showed that it can be done, but not easily and inexpensively.Originally posted by sclui56 View Post
Tongde make several 1/16 scale tank that I am very interested in getting. But the compatibility issue has stopped me from more Tongde tank than the M60. I am waiting for Heng Long to pick up some of those tank subjects in the future. Besides compatibility, I found Heng Long to be more trueful in scale fidelity. Not perfect either, just better.Comment
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The pin/axle looks to be about 3mm or 4mm (sorry I did not measure it) but may be helicoil would allow it to be tapped out without enlarging the hole in the return roller?Originally posted by keilau View Post
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I purchased the Heng Long Pro Version Leopard 2A6 in March 2021. The metal track and metal gearbox were low quality and I promptly upgraded them. When I tried to upgrade the road wheels to metal this year, I encountered more obstacles than I would expect. 2 major problems that is hard to overcome:- The metal suspension arms have undersized axles. I cannot find a source for the metal arm with correct axle OD.
- The return rollers are mounted on pushed in pins making them almost impossible to replace.
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Was your Leopard a 5.3 or 6.0? There were still mostly 5.3 Leopards being sold in 21. The Leopard was one of the last to receive the 6.0 upgrades which included a new improved steel gearbox in the Pro as well as the new MFU and IR system.Originally posted by keilau View Post
The biggest problem stock "metal arm" Leopards have are the hull suspension down travel stops that are molded into the "plastic" hull. These are very weak and with even a moderate amount of outdoor use are damaged and or ripped off my the metal suspension arms. Once this happens all sorts if suspension issues start happening. None of them good.
I tend not to recommend Leopards for this reason. They are great runners at first, but problems seem to alway come up and end the fun.Comment
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