How To: Replace Your Tamiya F104X1 Bearings with Boca Bearings

Beginner’s Guide to RC – Replace Your Tamiya F104X1 Bearings with Boca Bearings

The F104X1 is Tamiya’s latest and greatest super F1. There has been a few design updates from the F104 Pro that allow you to really dial it in to any track surface. While it does ride on a quality set of shielded ball bearings, installing a high-end set of Boca Bearings will really enhance the performance of the car. There is not only a noticeable increase on the track but is also a very easy install.

For this install we will be using Boca’s Ceramic Lightning Ultra Seal Bearing set, part #55-590C YU. At a retail cost of around $55 that’s not a bad investment for a little extra speed.

Items Needed:
Standard tools used to maintain your car.

Step 1:

Remove the bearings from the plastic pouch. Boca has placed all the bearings into separate bags to make it easier to work with.

Step 2:

Remove the front tires from the F104X1 and pop the bearings out. They should come out quite easily. Find the bag labeled SMR105C-YUU NB2. These are the replacement bearings for the front wheels. Press them into place and re-install the front wheels. NOTE: There is a small axle spacer that should still be on the axle. If it’s not, check the bearings you removed. Sometimes the spacer will stick to the back of the inner bearing. Make sure you use this…it’s important.

Step 3:

Remove the rear axle, pop out the axle height spacers and remove the bearings. Find the bag labeled SMR106C-YUU NB2. There are the replacement rear axle bearings. Press them into the axle height spacers and press that assembly back into the rear pod. Reassemble the entire left side of the axle. There should be an axle spacer that goes between the rear pod and the counterweight. If you don’t see it, check to make sure that it’s not stuck to the bearings you removed.

Step 4:

Disassemble the differential. Replace the thrust bearing with the one in the bag labeled SMR115C-YUU NB2. Replace the inner diff bearing with the one in the bag labeled SMR128C-YUU NB2. You will only be using one of the diff bearings on the F104X1. Reassemble the differential.

The F104X1 includes a bearing supported counterweight on the left side of the rear axle. Because this is a limited edition car there is not a complete matching Boca Bearing kit. You can, however, replace these bearings with a set of the Boca SMR115C-YUU NB2 Thrust Bearings.

Once installed, you may not see a dramatic increase on the bench…yet. The first run should fling a bunch of the grease out of the bearings allowing them to spin for quite a long time. Being a high quality set of bearings, they won’t need much maintenance however, for maximum performance, remove and clean them every couple of races (more often if you race outside on a dusty surface).

Links:
Tamiya, www.TamiyaUSA.com
Boca Bearings, www.BocaBearings.com