Overview
The Traxxas Output gear, centre differential, hardened steel (2 pcs) TRX8989X is a premium replacement drivetrain component designed specifically for demanding RC enthusiasts who want to upgrade or maintain their high-performance short course trucks. Whether you're a serious racer pushing your vehicle to its limits or a weekend basher who demands reliability, these hardened steel differential output gears are engineered to deliver exceptional durability and consistent performance in the toughest conditions. As an authorised Traxxas retailer in the UK, we stock this genuine replacement part to keep your RC car running at peak performance.
Centre differential maintenance is crucial for any 4WD RC vehicle, and when stock gears wear or break during intensive use, upgrading to hardened steel versions from Traxxas is the smart choice. These machined, hardened steel gears offer superior strength compared to standard components, making them ideal for high-power brushless setups, aggressive driving styles, and competitive racing environments. If you own a Traxxas Maxx or Slash model with the 10280A centre differential, these gears are the authentic replacement you need.
This is a genuine Traxxas spare part, manufactured to the same exacting standards as the original equipment, ensuring perfect fitment and reliable performance. The hardened steel construction resists wear and deformation under extreme torque loads, protecting your investment and keeping your RC car UK-ready for whatever adventures lie ahead.
Key Features
- Hardened Steel Construction — These gears are machined from hardened steel rather than softer materials, providing significantly greater resistance to wear, breaking and deformation during intense driving and racing. This tougher material maintains gear tooth integrity even under the extreme torque loads generated by brushless motors and aggressive driving techniques.
- Centre Differential Gears — Specifically designed as output gears for the 10280A centre differential assembly, these components are essential for proper torque distribution between the front and rear axles in 4WD vehicles. When differential gears wear or fail, power delivery becomes inconsistent and handling suffers, making replacement critical for optimal vehicle dynamics.
- Includes Front and Rear Set — This package includes a complete set of two gears, providing everything needed to fully service your centre differential without purchasing multiple packs. Having both front and rear components ensures balanced performance and eliminates the possibility of mixing old and new components.
- Genuine Traxxas Component — As an official Traxxas spare part, these gears are manufactured to exacting specifications and quality standards, guaranteeing perfect compatibility and reliable performance with your RC car. Using genuine components protects your vehicle and maintains manufacturer-backed reliability.
- Precision Machined — Each gear is precision machined to ensure perfect tooth profiles and fitment within the differential assembly, eliminating wobble, noise and inconsistent power transfer that can occur with inferior aftermarket alternatives.
Technical Performance
The Traxxas hardened steel centre differential output gears represent a significant upgrade over standard components, particularly for owners of high-powered 6S brushless Traxxas Maxx and Slash models. The hardened steel material provides measurably better wear resistance and durability compared to softer metals, crucial when running powerful brushless motors that generate tremendous torque. In the demanding environment of RC racing or aggressive bashing, differential gears experience constant stress as they distribute engine power to the front and rear axles. Standard gears can wear down gradually, developing play and slack that manifests as sloppy steering response and unpredictable handling. The hardened steel construction in these genuine Traxxas components resists this degradation, maintaining precise gear meshing and consistent power delivery throughout extended driving sessions. The precision machining process ensures each gear tooth is perfectly formed to mate smoothly with its corresponding component, reducing noise, vibration and stress concentration that can lead to premature failure. For RC enthusiasts in the UK running high-performance short course trucks, upgrading to hardened steel differential gears is a proven strategy for extending drivetrain life and maintaining predictable vehicle behaviour during competitive racing or weekend bashing adventures.
What's in the Box
- Hardened steel centre differential output gear (1 x front)
- Hardened steel centre differential output gear (1 x rear)
Compatibility and Replacement Information
These hardened steel output gears are designed as direct replacements for the Traxxas 10280A centre differential assembly. This component is fitted to the Traxxas Maxx Slash 1/8 scale 4WD short course truck range, available in multiple colour options including Red (TRX102076-4-RED), Green (TRX102076-4-GRN), Rock N Roll (TRX102076-4-RNR), and Blue (TRX102076-4-BLUE). It is important to note that these gears are not compatible with the 8980 centre differential, so owners of other Traxxas models should verify their differential type before ordering. If you are unsure whether your vehicle uses the 10280A differential, our knowledgeable team at RC Model Shop can help identify the correct component for your specific model.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are these hardened steel gears compatible with my Traxxas short course truck? — Yes, these gears are designed specifically for the Traxxas 10280A centre differential, which is fitted to the Traxxas Maxx Slash range. However, they are not compatible with the 8980 centre differential, so you must verify your vehicle has the 10280A before purchasing. If you own a Maxx Slash in any colour variant (Red, Green, Rock N Roll, or Blue), these gears will fit perfectly.
- Why upgrade to hardened steel differential gears? — Hardened steel gears offer significantly better durability and wear resistance compared to standard materials, particularly important if you run a powerful brushless motor or drive aggressively. If you've experienced differential gear wear or failure in the past, upgrading to these genuine Traxxas hardened steel components will extend drivetrain life and maintain consistent power delivery.
- How do I know when my differential gears need replacement? — Signs of worn or damaged differential gears include loose steering response, inconsistent handling behaviour, grinding or clicking sounds from the differential area, or visible wear when inspecting the gears during maintenance. If you've broken gears or notice performance degradation, replacement is necessary to restore proper vehicle dynamics.
- Are these genuine Traxxas parts? — Yes, these are 100% genuine Traxxas components manufactured to factory specifications. We are an authorised Traxxas retailer and stock only authentic parts, ensuring you receive components that meet Traxxas quality standards and provide reliable performance.
- Do I need any special tools to install these gears? — Installation requires access to your vehicle's differential assembly and basic RC maintenance tools. We recommend consulting the official Traxxas assembly guide or contacting our experienced team if you require support with installation.
- What is the difference between these hardened steel gears and standard differential gears? — Standard differential gears are typically softer and more prone to wear, deformation and breaking under heavy load. These hardened steel versions use a superior material that resists damage, maintains precise tooth profiles over extended use, and ultimately provides better performance and longevity, making them ideal for serious RC racers and enthusiasts.
Why Buy from RC Model Shop?
RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the Traxxas Output gear, centre differential, hardened steel (2 pcs) TRX8989X today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.
- Brand: Traxxas
- Model number: TRX8989X
- EAN: 020334019363
- Spare part type: Drivetrain spares
- Component type: Centre differential output gears
- Material: Hardened steel
- Quantity: 2 pieces (front and rear)
- Manufacturing process: Precision machined
- Compatible differential: 10280A centre differential
- Not compatible with: 8980 centre differential
- Vehicle compatibility: Traxxas Maxx Slash 1/8 4WD 6S Brushless Short Course Truck (all colour variants)
We want to make sure your delivery goes smoothly, so here are some important details about our service:
- For orders above £120, we offer delivery to most mainland UK addresses. For orders under £120, we can still deliver to Northern Ireland and the outlying isles, as long as the item can be sent by Royal Mail, weighs less than 30kg, and fits within 61cm × 46cm × 46cm. Some highland and remote areas may carry an extra delivery charge as couriers often apply surcharges in these locations. If you live in one of these areas, feel free to contact us before ordering so we can confirm the delivery options and costs for you.
- Most of our products include delivery in the price. If your order is under £90, a small delivery fee will apply but do not worry this will always be clearly shown at checkout before you complete your purchase.
- Depending on what you choose at checkout, your order will usually be delivered either the next working day or within 2 working days. For next day delivery please place your order before 2:00pm. Orders are dispatched Monday to Friday only. Some items may take a little longer and if that is the case we will always show the expected delivery time on the product page.
- If your order includes items with different dispatch times we will normally wait and send everything together once all items are in stock. If one of the items is going to take a while we will give you the choice either wait for everything to arrive or let us send the available items now and deliver the rest later. It is up to you.
- We use trusted delivery partners to make sure your order gets to you safely and on time. We use DPD for next working day deliveries and Royal Mail for the 2 day option.
- As soon as your order is on its way we will send you a tracking number by email. If you provide your mobile number at checkout we will also send delivery updates straight to your phone so you can keep an eye on progress.
- If a product is marked as "Dispatched within 3 working days" delivery usually takes around 3 to 5 working days from when your order is placed.
- For customers in Inverness and other parts of the Scottish Highlands deliveries can take up to 2 working days even if you select next day delivery as couriers do not currently offer a guaranteed next day service to those areas.