How to Weight the Wheels on an Axial AX10 RC Rock Crawler

I know what you may be asking: why would anyone ever weight down the front wheels of an RC rock crawler? Well, adding weight to the wheels makes it rock crawl better, that's why. When climbing up almost vertical obstacles, extra weight in the front wheels will help keep them planted as it breaks over the top. Weight also keeps the front wheels planted in the rocks, aiding greatly in traction and stability. The process is simple but somewhat time consuming.

Remove the tires and inner foams. To do this, you'll need to take out all twelve of the Allen bolts (six on each side) that hold the bead lock rings on. You can see them in the article photo. Put the bolts somewhere safe because they are easy to lose. Next, gently pry the tires and foams off of the rim.

Add weight to the wheel. There are stick-on lead weights that can be purchased at hobby shops or on line that work great for this application. Sometimes, a local tire shop will let a strip go for little or nothing as well. Three ounces per wheel is generally recommended. I used the hobby shop stick on strips and then went over them twice with electrical tape as well, to ensure they stay where I want them. Just simply stick them around the inside of the rim. Lead fishing sinkers, washers and even marbles have been used, however. Just be sure you add the same amount of weight to each wheel.

Reinstall the tires and foams. This part can get a little tricky and requires some patience. I have found that laying the wheels and tires down flat and then installing the bead locks works best for a good seat. Press down firmly on the bead lock when the tire is where you want it, and then reinstall the Allen bolts. Tighten reasonably - they don't need to be at one-hundred foot-pounds. Just enough to hold the tire on the rim and then another quarter to half turn is fine.

Other tips: While you have the tires and foams off the RC crawler, it is a good time to drill a couple of 1/8" holes in the rims. Doing so allows air to escape quicker and makes the tires grip better in the rocks. Also, be aware that if your tires are directional or you wish to have one side out or the other, you must pay close attention to how they are installed when you put them back on. Finally, while the wheels are off is a great time to check out the links, shocks and other things on the RC crawler that may be hard to see with them on the car. Regular inspections can keep parts from breaking. Now that the front wheels in your Axial AX10 Scorpion or other crawler are weighted, try it out at your favorite spot. You will be surprised at what a major difference the extra few ounces makes in its wheeling abilities. If you look close at the article photo, you can see that the front tires appear slightly "flatter" than the backs do. A bigger contact patch to the ground means more traction. I hope this article has been helpful!