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This is a thread to show how the front axle assembly on a Scalextric Formula 1 car can be strengthened. This process, which consists of adding a metal tube to house the front axle and to strengthen the entire front axle assembly, was shown to me several years ago by Chris Walker and if he reads this thread, then I hope that he will add to it, as its his process, not mine; I'm just starting the ball rolling on it.

Looking at the front suspension on a Scaley Formula 1 Ferrari, you can see that it's not the strongest looking structure in the slot car world...……



So, the process that Chris showed me was to take the front end and enlarge the axle holes so that they will take a brass or aluminum tube, which can then be used to house the front axle.



The enlarging can either be done with hand drills or with burs. I used burs of increasing diameter and although it's slow work, it seems to work quite well; I've done both a Scaley Ferrari and a Scaley Mercedes using this process.

Here's a pic of the tube inserted into the front axle carrier:



You have to use the drill/bur on both the outside axle housings and the inner, central housing where the axle unit attaches to the chassis; both require some patience...……

Once you have the axle holes enlarged, it's just a matter of cutting the tubing to size and gluing it in place:





I used Locktite 380 to glue the aluminum tube firmly into the front axle housing:



I also spray paint mine to match the black of the axle carrier, but that's only cosmetic.

This doesn't guarantee that your Scaley Formula 1 car won't have a front end failure, but it takes you a good distance in that direction.

As this does not alter the performance of the car in any way; except, perhaps, adding a little friction to the front end...…..it's legal to do for this Formula 1 Proxy.

Hopefully, Chris has more info and details for you; thanks Chris.

Allan

these areas are my concerns... these breaks mean dead in the water

Mark

We have raced f1 cars for couple of seasons over here and except front end which Allan showed how to improve we didn't have any other problems like guide holder or rear assembly to deal with. If we limit voltage on the tracks to 10v the cars should be pretty safe during the proxy. :auto-driving:

that is good news ! :text-thankyouyellow:

What ID is the tubing I assume 3/32?

Chris thank you for the information to help me and others get this build off the ground

Instead of glueing the aluminum axle tube in place you could cut the tubing a little longer (just a few hundreds) and use a center punch and small hammer to slightly flair the ends of the aluminum tube. "Tap very lightly". I've never tried it with brass tubing. Make sure to do it on a hard steel surface like a vise, you don't want the other end of the tubing to drive down into a soft surface.You're not hammering against the plastic suspension, just the aluminum tube. I do this with my little homemade Formula Ford chassis. No need to make it real tight, let it rotate, it won't hurt a thing and it can't come out.

Thank you Chris, awesome, and very useful information... :text-thankyouyellow:

Allan,

Looking through the rules - it seems this is the only approved method of strengthening the front axle assembly. Can you confirm?