Wednesday , 13 November 2024

HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 3 – Front Suspension

HPI Savage XS SS Build
HPI Savage XS SS Build

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.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 54
HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 54
Attach the lights to the front bumper as shown.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 55
HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 55
Build a pair of steering links.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 56
HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 56
Pop the steering links into place as shown. Set this assembly aside for now.

Stay tuned for

Part 4 – Assembling the rear differential.
Back to the HPI Savage XS SS Build List

About Tony Phalen

Tony Phalen - As an avid RC enthusiast, Tony has been building, bashing and racing RC Cars for over 30 years. He has participated in every kind of surface racing events - 1/18 scale trucks, 1/10 scale TC, Rock Racers, Rally - if it had wheels, he's raced it! He's also worked on both sides of the industry fence; collaborating with many major manufacturers (as well as being a sponsored driver) to working for a high-profile industry magazine. During this time he has learned many tricks, tips and techniques and is sharing that knowledge on CompetitionX - the most informative RC website on the internet!

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