How to Upgrade a 550 RC Motor

Upgrade Bushing to Ball Bearings

• 1

  Remove the two screws that secure the plastic end-bell to the motor can. Disconnect the end-bell and the motor can by pulling off the end-bell.

• 2

  Slide the armature out from inside the motor can. Put the end of a small Phillips-head screwdriver into a paper towel, then push the tip through the center of the bushing seated in the hole where the armature shaft extended from the motor can.

• 3

  Place the end-bell on a flat surface and apply pressure with the paper-towel wrapped screwdriver. Push the second armature bushing free.

• 4

  Insert an Abec-7 ball-bearing into the two areas where bushings were mounted. Apply two drops of lubricant to both bearings.

• 5

  Slide the armature back into the can, pushing the shaft out through the ball bearing. Install the end-bell back onto the back of the motor can, making sure that the end of the armature is seated through the center of the second ball bearing.

• 6

  Fasten the end-bell to the motor can by tightening the two mounting screws.

Upgrade the Brushes

• 7

  Loosen the screws that connect the brushes to the plastic end-bell. Pry away the spring mechanisms that hold the brushes against the commutator. The brushes, small rectangular pieces of metal, deliver the electric energy from the battery to the armature inside the motor.

• 8

  Pull the brushes out of their housing, then separate them both from the end-bell.

• 9

  Insert the high-performance brushes into their respective housing. Slide them inside until the press against the commutator, then position the spring mechanism on it to apply pressure.

• 10

  Insert the mounting screws through the center of the metal rings found at the ends of the wires leading from the brushes. Fasten the screws to the motor and tighten them.