REK Lower units and Snapped Cables

[Doby]

1) Running my TS2 conversion 2 weeks ago.

REK lower unit and a 9XL on 4S running a 3 bladed SV 42mm prop.

4 runs into the day,,,,snapped a new flex cable in half.


2) Running my TS2 conversion last weekend.

REK lower unit and a UL-1 motor on 4S running a 3 bladed SV 42mm prop.

2 runs into the day,,,,,,snapped my new flex cable in half.


Any ideas/ similar experiences???

Or do I just need to keep 25 of these cables in my tool box to get me through the season

[eboat]

You were there when I snapped my cable at the mid Sept club race
TS2 REK leg with SV motor and esc X437/3
I won the first 2 rounds and it died 3 round
I would have less than 15 runs on it and always took it out when I got home after having the boat in the water to wipe it off and let it sit untill I regreased it before next time out to the pond

[Darin Jordan]

1) Running my TS2 conversion 2 weeks ago.

REK lower unit and a 9XL on 4S running a 3 bladed SV 42mm prop.

4 runs into the day,,,,snapped a new flex cable in half.


2) Running my TS2 conversion last weekend.

REK lower unit and a UL-1 motor on 4S running a 3 bladed SV 42mm prop.

2 runs into the day,,,,,,snapped my new flex cable in half.


Any ideas/ similar experiences???

Or do I just need to keep 25 of these cables in my tool box to get me through the season

First, I'll assume that you've trimmed your cable down to the point where it'll have a slight amout of float when installed... Both of my stock REK units needed some taken off the end of the cables to get the proper clearance... the cable should NOT be bound in place when the stub is installed.


On the REK lowers, the stub shaft assembly seats up against plastic... Everytime you remove this and reinstall, you wear this seating area down a tad...

I'd you'll notice, the seating are of the stub shaft (assuming stock K&B) has a concave recess in it... What I did with mine as to clean this out really well, degrease, then I put a little bit of good epoxy down in here to build up the bottom of it just slightly... This helped to prevent the unit from seating down too far. I don't have a picture, so hopefully this makes sense... Think of needing to add a thin washer between the stub and the plastic of the lower unit, only doing it with a washer made of epoxy...

Now... if all is fine in this area and your cable isn't binding, then you may just have too much power there for a 3.5 sized lower... You could try some Lawless or maybe OS-Max flex cables as well... I know the Lawless I use on mine are suppose to be stronger...

[Doby]

Yup,,,maybe the REKs just like to eat cables,,,but after 2-3 runs?!?!?!? Something is going on??

[longballlumber]

I am not familar with the REK lower, does it have an inlet for oil externally or do you need to pull the shaft for lube?

Mike

[Doby]

I am not familar with the REK lower, does it have an inlet for oil externally or do you need to pull the shaft for lube?

Mike

It doesn't seem to have one. I have yet to re-lube the cables as they have not lasted through an entire afternoon of running yet.

Darin;

I did have to trim some of the cable to have the "floating" fit required when everything is mounted together. Maybe I'll have to try the "washer" suggestion.

Thanks

[sailr]

IMHO It sounds like Darin may have the answer. The shaft is bound up because it's a bit too long. Good point! I'm running K&B lowers so haven't experienced the problem you have. Some of the local guys are using the REK's but I haven't heard of them having this same problem. I do know in my experience, but with FE and nitro, that you have to keep an outboard cable more zealously lubed than an inboard.

[longballlumber]

For what it's worth,

On the O.S. lower there is a inlet for oil. After each heat I would squirt as much ATF or Marvels Mystery Oil (Air Tool Oil) into the shaft housing...

[cybercrxt]

9xl is a stout motor for that shaft as well. I had one and it has a lot more power than say a UL-1, Mike

[Grimracer]

when i snap cables its usualy

Excesive RPM
or
Porposing

Grim

[AlanN]

I already gave you my main reasons John in your email.

But I do have the tooling to make square ended cables if you and anyone needs them.

[ice329]

I snapped one exactly the way Grim said, to much rpm by being out of the water and when it rehit it snapped

[LiPo Power]

1) Running my TS2 conversion 2 weeks ago.

REK lower unit and a 9XL on 4S running a 3 bladed SV 42mm prop.

4 runs into the day,,,,snapped a new flex cable in half.


2) Running my TS2 conversion last weekend.

REK lower unit and a UL-1 motor on 4S running a 3 bladed SV 42mm prop.

2 runs into the day,,,,,,snapped my new flex cable in half.


Any ideas/ similar experiences???

Or do I just need to keep 25 of these cables in my tool box to get me through the season

So it was not loose coupler...

[6S HYDRO]

i have the same problem w/ my rek setup, i will have to try shortening the cable

[6S HYDRO]

there seems to be 2 holes in the plastic to the brass tube- like if you drilled out the brass you would have a perfect grease hole