Losi Super Baja Rey 2.0 [Common Issues and Solutions]

Last Updated on December 15, 2023 by Jaxon Mike

The Losi Super Baja Rey 2.0 is a 1/6th scale, 4WD desert truck built for high-speed off-road bashing.

With its powerful Dynamite 550 brushless motor, beefy suspension, and rugged construction, it’s designed to handle jumps, rough terrain, and all the abuse backyard bashers can throw at it.

However, even top-tier RC vehicles like the Super Baja Rey can develop issues that require troubleshooting and repairs. Here are some of the most common Losi Super Baja Rey problems owners face, along with potential solutions.

Drive Train Problems

Slipping Clutch

The Baja Rey 2.0 uses a centrifugal clutch system to engage and disengage the drive train. Over time, the clutch shoes can become worn and begin to slip under load. Symptoms of a worn clutch include slow/sluggish acceleration and loss of power at higher speeds

Solution: Replace the clutch shoes and springs. Losi sells clutch rebuild kits for the Baja Rey that include new shoes, springs, and hardware. Follow the rebuild instructions to remove the clutch bell and replace worn components. Properly breaking in the new clutch per the manual is critical to prevent premature wear.

Stripped Spur Gear

The plastic spur gear in the Baja Rey transmission is a common weak point. Carrying heavy loads at high speed, using overly aggressive gearing, or abrupt/excessive throttle can strip the teeth off the spur gear.

Solution: Replace the stock plastic spur with an aftermarket metal spur gear. Companies like Hot Racing make complete heavy-duty spur gear kits that bolt right in. Use thread locker on the set screw to prevent loosening.

Bent Drive Shafts

The dog bone-style drive shafts on the Baja Rey are tough, but not invincible. Hard crashes or bottoming-out suspension can bend the driveshafts and cause vibration.

Solution: Carefully inspect each drive shaft by spinning it to check for wobble. Replace any bent shafts. Consider upgrading the plastic shafts to adjustable metal universals for heavy bashers.

Steering Problems

Loose Steering Linkages

The tie rods and steering linkages on the Baja Rey are subject to a lot of forces when bashing off-road. Jump landings, crashes, and general wear can cause them to loosen over time.

Solution: Periodically inspect the steering linkages for slop or play. Tighten any loose ball studs and rod ends. Replace bent rods or worn-out plastic rod ends as needed to maintain precise steering.

Servo Saver Issues

The servo saver helps protect the steering servo from shock damage. However, too much slop in the saver can make steering feel vague. Meanwhile, a tightened servo saver that loses its cushioning effect allows shock forces to reach the servo.

Solution: Set the servo saver preload so that there is minimal play at the wheels, while still allowing the saver mechanism to work. Loosen the servo saver nut and articulating the steering can help find the ideal adjustment.

Weak Steering Servo

The factory installed steering servo may not provide enough torque for stable steering at high speeds or heavy loads. Lack of power can cause wandering or delayed steering response.

Solution: Upgrade to a high torque, metal gear steering servo. Servos like the PowerHD Desert Series provide 300+ oz/in of torque for authoritative steering, even with big tires. Be sure to match servo torque rating to the linkage geometry.

Suspension Problems

Shock Oil Leaks

The oil-filled shocks are a critical part of the suspension, controlling bounce and compression. But the shaft seals can wear out or get damaged, causing the oil to leak out. Loss of oil leads to poor damping performance.

Solution: Rebuild or replace leaky shocks. Losi sells shock rebuild kits with new seals, bladders, and pistons. Take care not to damage seals during reassembly. After rebuilding shocks, bleed and re-fill them with new shock oil to the correct level.

Suspension Arm Damage

Despite being beefy, the plastic suspension A-arms can become cracked or broken from heavy crashes. Even small cracks will get worse over time and lead to failure.

Solution: Thoroughly inspect arms for damage after hard landings. Look closely near the shoulder screws and stress points. Replace cracked arms right away. Upgrade to RPM or aluminum arms for more durability.

Loose Pivot Balls

The suspension pivots use small metal pivot balls. These can become loose over time, allowing unwanted slop and suspension flex.

Solution: Tighten any loose pivots with the included 1.5mm hex wrench. If the pivot feels gritty, remove it, clean the ball, and re-grease before tightening. Replace damaged pivots right away.

Bent Turnbuckles

The suspension turnbuckles take hard hits when bashing off-road. Landing off-center from jumps can bend metal turnbuckles, causing alignment issues.

Solution: Check turnbuckles for bend by spinning them and watching for wobble. Replace any bent links right away. Upgrade to stronger turnbuckles from RPM or MIP for extra durability.

Electronics Issues

Bad Bearings

The motor and transmission bearings allow smooth, low-friction operation. But dirt, moisture, crashes, and general wear can damage the bearings over time. Symptoms include sluggish acceleration, grinding noise, and excess wobble in the pinion/spur mesh.

Solution: Carefully replace any worn or damaged bearings in the motor and transmission. Ensure proper spacing and shimming of motor bearings. Use a thrust bearing on the slipper clutch to remove axial play.

Overheating Motor and ESC

Running a too-tall pinion gear, frequent binding from damaged drivetrain parts, or inadequate gear mesh can overheat and damage the motor and ESC over time. The system may go into thermal shutdown to avoid failure.

Solution: Use a temperature gun to check motor and ESC temperatures after runs. Keep temperatures under 180°F. Optimize gearing, ensure proper mesh, address binding issues, and improve airflow as needed to reduce heat buildup.

Battery Issues

Using low quality batteries, charging improperly, or damage from crashes can cause battery issues like puffing, reduced capacity, or failure. Problems while charging may indicate an issue with the charger or outlet.

Solution: Use only recommended quality LiPo packs, charge at correct rates, and balance charge. Check battery health regularly and retire packs that show wear. Try charging from a different outlet if charger issues occur. Replace damaged battery connectors.

Loose Wheel Nuts

The heavy duty wheel nuts and hex hubs can loosen over time from vibration and landing impacts. This allows wheels to wobble or fall off entirely.

Solution: Routinely check wheel nuts for tightness before and after bashing sessions using the included tool. Snug down any loose nuts, being careful not to over-tighten. Use threadlocker for extra security if needed.

Glitchy Radio System

Electrical interference, damaged wiring, or faulty components can cause radio glitches like stuttering servos or random throttle spikes. Losing control while driving risks a crash.

Solution: Check for loose wiring connections, frayed wires, or damaged insulation. Ensure antennas are intact and fully extended. Try switching frequencies or moving away from sources of interference. Ultimately, the receiver or radio may need replaced if issues persist.

Loose Body Mounts

The mounts securing the body shell can work loose from vibration and rough driving. If they come loose enough, the body can shift or fly off entirely at speed.

Solution: Periodically check the body mount screws underneath for tightness. Tighten any loose mounts, being careful not to overtighten and strip the holes. Use threadlocker if mounts keep coming loose. Replace damaged body mounts as needed.

General Maintenance Tips

• Inspect the chassis for signs of cracking or bending after hard crashes and landings. Repair or replace if needed.
• Check for debris packed into suspension pins, pivot balls, universals, and other moving parts. Clean and re-grease.
• Look for torn dust boots, cracked shrouds, or other broken plastic parts. Replace promptly.
• Wipe away dirt buildup and clean moving parts like differentials with aerosol cleaners/degreasers.
• Verify smooth suspension movement and proper dampening after rebuilds. Adjust oil weight if needed.
• Let components fully dry before reassembly if cleaning with water. Use corrosion inhibitor spray.
• Check tire condition frequently. Replace or remount tires at the first sign of chunking or loosening on the bead.

With proper maintenance and a willingness to promptly address issues, the Losi Super Baja Rey 2.0 can provide years of hardcore bashing fun and performance. Paying attention to potential problem areas and making preemptive upgrades will help keep this beastly truck charging hard for the long run.

Common Spare Parts to Have on Hand

Having spare parts ready for repairs after big crashes helps minimize downtime:

• Suspension arms – Front and rear arms are easily broken from hard landings. Keep a spare set of each ready.
• Turnbuckles – Bent steel links are quick to replace after damaging crashes. Keep a full set of spares.
• Shock shafts – Carry extra front and rear shock shafts to swap out bent or leaking shocks quickly.
• Spindles and hubs – It’s smart to have spare hubs, spindles, and caster blocks ready for potential breakage or stripping.
• Bellcrank – The steering bellcrank is exposed to crash damage. A spare prevents losing steering entirely.
• Servo saver – Keeping an extra servo saver spring and components on hand allows fast repair of steering slop.
• Pivot balls – Have spare pivot balls ready to replace any that become gritty or loose during bashing.
• Wheel hexes – Extra rear hexes prevent being sidelined by one breaking or coming loose during runs.
• Body mounts – It’s easy to break body mounts. Keep extras ready so the body won’t come loose.
• Body clips – Missing body clips can lead to losing the body entirely. Bring several spares.

Final Recommendations

• Inspect your Baja Rey thoroughly after each run to spot issues early before they lead to failures.
• Consider preventative upgrades like metal gears where you see components reaching their reliability limits.
• Closely monitor temperatures of electronics like motors and ESCs to avoid heat related failures.
• Refer to the owner’s manual and online forums for manufacturer recommended settings and maintenance.
• Always use top quality replacement parts to avoid unnecessary rework from cheap components failing.
• Don’t neglect general maintenance like chassis/drivetrain cleaning and lubrication. This extends the life of components.
• Promptly repair any damage from crashes, and check surrounding parts for collateral damage that may need addressing.

With smart preventative maintenance and addressing problems early, the incredible Losi Baja Rey 2.0 4WD truck will keep delivering miles of beastly off-road bashing performance and fun!

FAQs About Losi Super Baja Rey 2.0

How can I make the Baja Rey handle better at high speeds?

Stiffer suspension springs, thicker shock oil, and adding a little extra front camber and caster improves high speed stability and cornering grip.

What gearing gives the best balance of speed and acceleration?

Generally a 15-45T (2.7:1) to 17-50T (2.9:1) range provides strong low end torque while still allowing 40+ MPH speeds.

Should I upgrade the plastic differential cases to metal?

The stock diffs can reliably handle moderate brushless power. Metal cases are recommended only for extreme setups over 6S producing 500+ watts.

How often should I check and change the transmission fluid?

Inspect fluid every 5-10 battery packs for dirt contamination. Complete fluid changes are recommended every 50+ packs or annually.

What are the best shock upgrades?

Machined aluminum bodies resist damage, larger bore pistons allow finer damping control, and converting to coilover springs simplifies tuning handling.

conclusion

The Losi Super Baja Rey 2.0 is an incredible basher straight out of the box, with its powerful dynamite brushless system, beefy suspension, and rugged construction. However, even the best RC cars can develop issues over time.

With routine maintenance and prompt repair of wear items, most problems can be prevented or addressed early on. For hardcore bashers, upgrading key components proactively will keep the Baja Rey running at peak performance.

This guide covers the most common issues owners face, along with maintenance tips and hop-up suggestions to keep your Super Baja Rey running strong for years of epic off-road fun. With some added TLC and upgrades, you can keep your Baja Rey 2.0 crushing any terrain or obstacles thrown its way.