so, what about the zip zaps?
 

I tried the REM in a zip zap, and the magnets were so strong that they attracted the pins in the steering knuckles, and the car wouldn't quit going in circles.
I tried it with one magnet and it wasn't strong enough, but the magnet out of a microsizer worked very well. It's a dual cell, so that may have a little to do with it.

do you have a zip zap around that you could check too? they have them re-stocked at most radio shacks now.

I also found that sanding the steering arm helped a lot. I used a manicure set to file and polish the steering surfaces, and it made a huge diffrence. just make sure to melt the pin your steering spring is on- they fly and dissapear.

No, I haven't tested a zz yet. I don't have one :( I know the local rs that I go to most of the time doesn't have any. They have like two body sets, but no cars. Maybe I'll start checking the other ones around town to see if they have any.

If your car was going in circles, I'd bet you missed one side of the spring when you put it back together, not that the magnet was too strong.

Yes, sanding and polishing the steering arms/pins did the most for me too as far as helping steering action.

mine bit, and my ms both turn while standing still with no mods. and they constantly pick up staples in the office. which makes the steering a bit of a chore.

however would the magnets have anything to do with why my car will turn very sharp to the left and makes big sweeping turns to the right? it was doing this right outa the box, i have cleaned it out and it dosent seem to have any chunks lingering anywhere in the steering area. what do you think?

i think you got a defective bit if it doesnt turn right very good.. wrtie MS about it, they may send you a new chassis or parts to repair it @ least...

It's not really defective, per say. The magnet is just not centered in it's holder. This can happen by dropping it, or running it off the side of the table, or as seems to be in your case, they just come that way.

Very easy fix:

1. remove body

2. carefully remove the pcb cover

3. carefully lift pcb just enough to allow access to the little screw in the front.

4. remove tiny screw

5. lift off front cover *be sure not to lose the centering spring* It's a tiny little sucker.

6. You will notice that the magnet is not centered in it's holder, or one of the coils is in the way not allowing full steering action. If it is the magnet, break it loose (the stock glue isn't very strong in and it is easily removed), center it, and use some 5 minute epoxy to glue the magnet back into the exact center of it's holder. Epoxy will also work on the coils if they are the problem.

7. carefully put everything back where you found it, making sure to get the centering spring in the right place.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you need some pics.

it would be nice to see how some clones magnets rate with the bits that youve tested.

The REM helped the steering on my dual cell, but now centering is too week. Need to put 2 steering srpings on to increase pullback to center strength and speed.

Actually, all of the cars I have are clones, so that is all I've tested.

Can you measure the power of the coils with 2.4 or 3.6 volts?

Cheers,

Ignore me, read the 2nd page of the thread again.

what do you sand on the arm? i have taken my car apart just to gaze wonderingly at the super tiny parts, but I haven't fiddled with anything. My car veirs so-so slightly to the left, and it's not that bad, but its anoying on the race track straitaways.

to the person who did the tests is it possible to increase the power of the steering by making new electromagnets I know a little about them and I thought If you change the wire guage that they are made of wouldent that help

I think you could. There was a discussion on how you could make it stronger by using thinner wires thus more coils meaning more power.

yeah because then you could make a kick butt monster truck who's tires could turn at a standstill on carpet
that would be amazing

I think you are seeing so little a difference because ZZs come with better magnets then bits, so if you upgrade a bit, you will defantly see the difference.