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The oringial rear tracks were still usable but had signs of being old. I spent quite a bit of time investigating if replacements could be found new or used. I found nothing used and new tracks of the same length were not available either. I did find Kimpex made a 15" involute drive track with the correct pitch that would work. They were about 12" sorter though so modifications would have to be made to make them work.
After removing the tracks most of the bogie wheels had bearing problems. The bearings on these are not replaceable. The drive sprockets had some wear on them as well as the bearings on the drive axles. Modifications will have to be made on the body by moving the holes the drive sprocket goes thru further back about 6". This was completed when the body was repaired and repainted. Also the side rails have to be shortened 6" to make the new tracks work. After removing the tracks and inspecting things further most of the bogie wheels had bearing problems and the bearings were not replaceable. Also the drive sprockets should be replaced with new bearings on the drive axles. The
New tracks were purchased along with bogie wheels and drive sprockets. The upper body was flipped over to make things easy. After shortening the siderail the 6" I started to mock things up. I started by repairing each bogie wheel unit. Each one was dissasembled, sandblasted, and repaired by welding where needed. After assembling (using ample grease) the units were painted and the new bogie wheels installed. I found a good deal on these bogies from a guy who had a large inventory of them from being a scorpion dealer. You can see in the one photo below the shorter siderail, and the hold in the body moved back.
   The next step was to finish mocking up the rear suspension and add the tracks. The drive axles had new bearings installed as well as drive sprockets. These were also scorpion drive sprockets.
  The metal rails (3pc) were then sanded and epoxy primed. They were then painted a flat black. Rubber strips were then made to go between each and the lower body. Everything was removed and the body flipped back over. Then everything was reinstalled with new bolts, bearings, bogies, etc.
 The rear suspension and track replacement is complete !!!! |
