No brakes

I received a Thunder Tiger Rain-X Camaro for my birthday (a major change from my Tamiya Super Blackfoot). The brakes worked when I first ran it, but now it has no brakes. I use Futaba S3003 servos. Help me!

MICHAEL NEWMAN

Sharonville, OH

I had one of those Camaros, and it was fast-exciting to drive, too, especially when the brakes disappeared. Here's the deal, Mike: if you check the manual (you saved it, right?), you'll see there is a sliding block in the right bulkhead that is pushed against the clutch bell to act as a brake shoe. If the brake isn't property set, it will rub the clutch bell constantly and will quickly wear away. Even if the brake shoe is set properly, a few tanks of fuel are usually enough to wear it into uselessness. Try this: first, get a new brake shoe. Before you install it, carefully CA a thin sheet of brass to the area of the shoe that contacts the clutch bell. Before you glue it, make sure the brass pad does not interfere With the release of the brake. This modification should prevent the brake shoe from wearing, but if you ride the brakes or if the brake shoe drags on the clutch bell, you may still melt the brake. Be sure to double-check the brake setup, and avoid long, gradual brake application.

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