FINAL CHECKLIST
BEFORE RUNNING YOUR NEW XXX-4 Graphite Plus Buggy for the first time, you should run down the following checklist
in order and complete the listed tasks. I'm sure you're anxious to get out and run your new
XXX-4 Graphite Plus
now that
it's built, but following this simple checklist will help to make your first run with your new car much more enjoyable.
1. Break-In/Adjust the Differential:
While holding the chassis with only the left side tires firmly
on the ground give the car about 1/8 throttle for ten sec-
onds. The right side tires should spin freely during this
time. Repeat this with the right side tires held firmly to the
ground allowing the left tires to spin. Feel the diff action
and tighten slightly if necessary. The diff should have a
thick feel.
2. Check for free suspension movement:
All suspension arms should move freely. Any binds will
cause the car to handle poorly. The steering should also
operate very free.
3. Set the ride height
Adjust the chassis ride height so that the rear arms are
sitting at level. Make the front a little lower than the rear.
4. Set the camber:
Both front tires should have 1 degree of negative camber,
and both rear tires should have 1 degree of negative cam-
ber (Top of the tire leans in). It is critical that both front
tires and both rear tires be adjusted the same. With either
end of the car closest to you, use your assembly wrench
to adjust the tierods. Turn the top of the wrench towards
the center of the car to shorten the tierods, and the oppo-
site direction to lengthen them.
5. Set the front toe-in:
Adjust the front Tierods so that, when the steering is
straight on the transmitter, the front tires are both pointing
straight. It is recommended that you start with the front
toe-in set to zero (no toe-in or toe-out).
6. Charge a battery pack:
Charge a battery pack as per battery manufacturer's and/
or charger manufacturer's instructions so that
radio adjustments can be made. Never plug the battery
into the speed control backwards.
7. Adjust the speed control:
Following the manufacturer's instructions, adjust your
speed control, and set the throttle trim on your ESC so
the the car does not creep forward when not applying
throttle. Make sure that there is not too much brake being
applied when the trigger/stick is in the neutral position.
Some speed controls have a high/low setting for the
throttle.
8. Set transmitter steering trim:
The steering trim tab on the transmitter should be ad-
justed so that the car rolls straight when you are not touch-
ing the steering wheel/stick. If the servo was installed
correctly, as per Tables 31A and 31B, the wheels should
turn equally to the left and right. If this is not the case,
refer to Table 31B and ensure that the steering servo and
rod (Figure 34 and 35) were properly installed. Make sure
the throttle trim is set so that the motor does not run when
in the neutral position. You may wish to run one "click" of
brake to be safe.
TIPS AND HINTS FROM THE TEAM
Before you start making changes on your XXX-4 Graphite Plus Buggy you need to make a few decisions. Tires and how they are
set-up have a tremendous impact on overall performance. Before you start making changes on the chassis take a moment to
observe a few of the fastest cars and what type of tire and inner liner they are running. Also note the wheel diameter and width
as this can also effect how the tires perform. When making chassis changes you should first decide where you feel the car needs
to be different. This is commonly referred to as changing the "balance." Since the XXX-4 Graphite Plus is a four-wheel drive
chassis you have two ends of the car working separately yet together. First decide if the front or back of the car needs to be
adjusted. You will want to work with the rear if the car enters the turn with the front end sticking and tracking well while the rear
end either does not want to follow or simply doesn't know what it wants to do. The opposite is true if the rear end seems to want
to push the front end through the corners or if the front dives into the corner uncontrollably. You will notice that several different
adjustments have similar effects on the handling as well. You will find the best adjustment will become a personal decision based
on the "feel" that each of these adjustments yield. This also reflects on the "balance" we referred to earlier. Never make more than
one change at a time. If the change you made works adversely or doesn't address your need, return to the stock position and try
something else. Team Losi's development team has put hundreds of hours on the XXX-4 Graphite Plus to arrive at the set-up we
put in the instruction manual. If you find that you have lost the "handle" go back to the kit (stock) set-up as this has proven to be
reliable, consistant, and easy to drive.
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