[cordless33]

Ok. Well I just got a Traxxas Rustler VXL for xmas. I read in the manual about the adjustable clutch. Right now I have it to slip early so i can drive it easier on my driveway. Anyways I want to know a bit more about clutches. How do they work? How fast do they wear down? Should i have spares on hand?

[NewGuy]

I have the same Rustler and it's an awesome toy in my opinion.... I am no expert, but from my experience, Electrics like the Rustler have only the one clutch which is the slipper that you mentioned. Most Nitro cars and trucks have a slipper clutch plus a regular centrifugal clutch. This centrifugal clutch has 2 parts connected by 2 springs to one another and expand out against the clutch bell once the motor reaches an above idle Rpm. This take up speed can be adjusted. They take ages to wear out so don't worry about having a lot of spare ones on hand.

Back to the Rustler...the slipper as you you mentioned gives the ability to reduce wheelspin on hard acceleration so that control of the truck is easier. The other important function of any slipper clutch is to reduce the feedback that the tires transfer back to the motor if the wheels stop suddenly of slow drastically such as in a jump hard landing.
This feedback to the motor would damage it without a slipper. So, it acts as a shock absorber-coupling to the motor and drive train.

Some guys with more experience can correct me if I am wrong or add to this, but this is my understanding.

Have fun with it...

Newguy

[cordless33]

Thanks for the response it helped a lot.