Fixing the Weakest Part of the WL Toys 144001 124016 124017 124018 124018 - New metal hubs

The common platform shared by the WL Toys 144001, 144010, 124016, 124017, 124018 and 124019 is a generally robust one but it does tend to have a common weak point - the front hub carrier AKA front wheel seat. I'm happy to say I've found a cheap, strong and well-made metal alternative and in this article I'll show you why they are only now worth getting and of course how to fit them

When you have been lurking around in Facebook groups, RC Groups, Reddit and other forums dedicated to the WL toys cars as long as I have you tend to pick up on common threads, especially when users share their disappointment over broken parts. Sure, individuals drive in different ways which can put certain components at more or less risk but a very common breakage I see is of the plastic front hub carriers. Standard replacement are not expensive but often have to come from China meaning you can be without a running car for up to several weeks. Previously I've looked a metal replacement parts by WL Toys however early designs were more "agricultural" in style and meant the wheels like my favourite Remo P6973 (reviewed here) couldn't be fitted.

The original metal hub carrier upgrade part from WL Toys (shown here in blue) had a pretty ugly design and didn't allow you to use the wheels like the Remo P6973 as they fouled badly. I looks at these originally in this article: ​WL TOYS 144001 / 124018 / 124019 UPGRADE: METAL PART UPGRADES AND REVIEW

Our friend and regular contributor Geoffrey Chan fitted the beautifully made LC racing front hub carriers to his Project LC Racing 124018 at Stage 1 but these are quite expensive and even then require additional ball bearings due to different sizing, I was very pleased then when he informed me that there was a new front hub carrier design from WL Toys so I ordered and am very pleased to shared the results here...

In short they are a like for like replacement for the stock plastic units but in aluminium alloy and so are entirely compatible with all of the wheels available to us including the Remo P6973s. Better yet they come with 4 new ball bearings, 4 new collared spigots and 4 new m3 screws with hex head. They are available in blue, silver, red and gold as below

The shape on the new metal hub carriers is very much the same as the stock plastic piece

Remo P6973 wheels and tyres fit without and issue

All of the above colours are available here: Wltoys 1/14 144001 124018 124019 Front Wheel Seat Upgrade Metal RC Car Parts - Red 

Installation guide
Installation is straightforward - out with the old and in with the new in a direct sway. I'd recommend using the new ball bearing but up to you whether you wish to use old Philips head or new hex head m3 screws. The only screws going into the metal here are the ball ends for the steering tierods and I'd recommend loctite if you have it though it's not especially critical. Click any image to embiggen

Here are all the parts that come in the pack

Pop the new bearings in (might as well!)

Remove the wheels, 12mm hex adapter (which will probably come out in the wheel) and the small drive pin.

1.5mm hex drive to remove the pillow ball from the steering. 

Remove the upper and lower Philips screw and the hub carrier will come away with the CVD driveshaft as above

Pop the drive shaft in the new hub carrier. Left and right are different so make sure you get the right one!

Install the collared spigots from the inside out and screw in. As you can probably see above I've done it the wrong way here - from the outside in 🤦‍♂️

The only threadlock you want to consider using is on the steering pillow ball. A bit heavy on the threadlock here from me,

Installed! Spigots still the wrong way here...

Install the drive pin in the hex, realise you've put it together wrong, and then...

Take it all apart and put it back together the correct way - like this. You should find there is no binding in the steering at all; if there is you have probably put it together wrong. This is critical to the proper operation of the car.

Results, Conclusion, Recommendations
The highest praise I can give this upgrade is that day to day I don't notice it, the car runs as normal. In a crash I'd expect it to hold up better and strengthen the weak point of the plastic piece.

All in all a good cheap upgrade with no real downside other than the purchase price which is not high anyway. Nice that it comes with the additional hardware too. I'm happy to recommend this as a good cheap upgrade that addresses probably the most commonly broken piece on these cars.

​I ordered my metal hub carriers in the new design from Banggood at the link below. They are not an expensive part and are well worthwhile as an upgrade for peace of mind:​

Wltoys 1/14 144001 124018 124019 Front Wheel Seat Upgrade Metal RC Car Parts - Red 

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