HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 3 – Front Suspension

Tony Phalen September 11, 2012 RC Build Blog - HPI Savage XS SS Build 345 Views

The Build – Part 3
Tackling the front (and rear) suspensions are a little more involved that most of the other steps with this build. HPI has made it quite easy though and you should not have any problems.

Build Notes:
Pay close attention to the hinge pins and the camber pins. The hinge pins are the thicker pins and you will use them in Step 35. The camber pins are thinner and you will use them in Step 42.

You will be building a left and right side of the suspension, however I will only be showing one side of the build.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 28 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 28

We start off the build with the CVDs. Put a bit of black grease on the cross joint and push it through the axle as shown. A set screw threads into the cross joint, but only from one direction (or the open end). Make sure you insert the cross joint with the ‘closed end’ first. This will avoid getting any grease on the threads.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 29 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 29

Apply a liberal amount of black grease on the axle ‘ball’ and insert it into the axle. Take your cross pin and insert it as shown. Make sure to line up the flat spot with the ‘open end’ of the cross joint.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 30 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 30

Apply a dab of threadlock onto the set screw and insert it as shown. Make sure the set screw contacts the flat spot of the cross pin. Build two of these.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 31 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 31

Grab one of the steering blocks and insert a ball end and locknut as shown. We will be building two of these so do the same thing for the opposite side (you will need to build it as an opposite side, also).

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 32 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 32

Press the bearings into place, one on each side of the steering block.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 33 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 33

Take one of your assembled CVDs and slide it through the bearings. Insert the axle through the caster block and press the block into place. Note the orientation of the block.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 34 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 34

There are two types of pins provided: the hinge pins and camber pins. Separate and set the camber pins aside.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 35 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 35

Insert a hinge pin in both the top and bottom holes on the steering block as shown. These should feed into the caster block, locking both parts together.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 36 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 36

Use a 2.5x4mm to secure the hinge pins in place. Insert one on both the top and bottom.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 37 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 37

Take one of the suspension arms and attach the assembled steering block into place. Note the direction of the suspension arm.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 38 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 38

Attach an arm brace to both the rear of the assembled gearbox…

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 39 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 39

…and the front. They are both the same so don’t worry about getting them mixed up. Now slide the suspension arm assembly between the arm mounts and feed the long hinge pin through. Yes, it might be a bit tight, but as long as the completed assembly swings freely you’re ok.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 40 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 40

Assemble the camber links per the instructions.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 41 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 41

Add a bit of black grease to the ball of the CVD…

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 42 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 42

…and feed it into the diff outdrive. Take one of the camber links and slide it into position on the shock tower. Use one of your thinner camber pins to lock the camber link into place…

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 43 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 43

…followed by a 2.5x4mm screw. This screw keeps the camber pin in place.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 44 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 44

Swing the camber link into place and secure in the caster block.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 45 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 45

Press a pair of locknuts into the top of the gearbox case. Make sure they are seated all the way down. Take the front bumper brace and feed it into the two holes in the shock tower.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 46 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 46

Secure with the pair of plastic c-clips.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 47 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 47

Attach the plastic mount to the metal skid-plate brace.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 48 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 48

Attach the metal skid-place brace to the bottom of the gearbox. The plastic mount (you attached in Step 47) should be towards the rear of the gearbox.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 49 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 49

Locate the ‘box’ on the plastic skid plate. Insert the tab on the rear of the metal skid-plate into the box as shown…

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 50 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 50

…and press the gearbox down and into place. The hinge pins should drop into the grooves in the plastic skid plate. You may need to slide the pins slightly forward or back to make them fit.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 51 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 51

Secure the plastic skid plate to the gearbox with the 4 screws.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 52 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 52

Swing the bumper brace into place and secure with the 3x18mm screws.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 53 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 53

Press the headlight caps into place and apply the stickers as shown. If you don’t get them perfectly straight, it’s ok. Use a flat head screwdriver and rotate them from behind to straighten them out.