Overview
The FASTRAX M1 18T Steel Pinion Gear (5mm) MOD1 is an essential replacement component for RC enthusiasts across the UK who demand reliability and precision in their drivetrain systems. Whether you're maintaining a high-performance RC car, upgrading your transmission setup, or restoring a damaged gearbox, this hardened steel pinion gear delivers the durability and performance you expect from a quality RC part. Fastrax is renowned for manufacturing robust drivetrain components that withstand the rigours of serious RC driving, and this 18-tooth pinion gear is no exception.
This precision-engineered pinion gear is designed for users who understand the importance of quality internal components in maintaining consistent performance and longevity. The M1 MOD1 specification ensures compatibility with a wide range of RC vehicles, making this a versatile addition to your spare parts collection. Whether you're a weekend basher enjoying recreational RC driving, a competitive racer fine-tuning your setup, or a dedicated hobbyist who takes their RC car UK experience seriously, having quality replacement gears in your workshop is essential for minimising downtime and keeping your vehicle running at peak performance.
Built from hardened steel, this pinion gear offers superior wear resistance compared to softer alternatives, ensuring that your drivetrain remains efficient over extended use. The 5mm bore size is a standard fitting across many popular RC platforms, making this a practical investment for any RC modeller who runs multiple vehicles or who frequently replaces worn drivetrain components during intense driving sessions.
Key Features
- Hardened Steel Construction — The gear is manufactured from premium hardened steel, which provides exceptional durability and resistance to wear, deformation, and impact damage during aggressive driving, racing, or bashful handling that pushes your RC car to its limits.
- M1 MOD1 Specification — This gear conforms to M1 MOD1 standards, ensuring precise tooth profile and pitch compatibility with a wide variety of RC transmissions and differentials from popular manufacturers, giving you confidence in fitment across different RC platforms.
- 18-Tooth Design — The 18-tooth configuration provides a balanced gear ratio option that suits many driving styles and vehicle setups, offering a good compromise between acceleration and top speed for general-purpose RC driving in the UK.
- 5mm Bore — The standard 5mm bore diameter is one of the most common shaft sizes in RC vehicles, ensuring broad compatibility with motors, gearboxes, and drivetrain assemblies across numerous RC car models and manufacturers.
- Compact Form Factor — The pinion gear's compact design allows it to fit seamlessly within tight engine compartment spaces, making installation straightforward without requiring additional chassis modifications or adjustments to your setup.
- Precision Tooth Profile — Each tooth is precisely cut and hardened to maintain smooth meshing with your main spur gear, reducing noise, vibration, and power loss whilst extending the service life of both the pinion and spur gears.
Technical Performance
The FASTRAX M1 18T Steel Pinion Gear represents a significant investment in drivetrain reliability and performance consistency. The use of hardened steel throughout the gear construction ensures that the component can withstand repeated high-torque loads without succumbing to plastic deformation or premature wear that would compromise your vehicle's acceleration characteristics. The M1 MOD1 tooth profile is engineered to work in harmony with standard spur gears, providing smooth power transfer from your motor assembly through to the wheels whilst minimising energy loss and heat generation. The 5mm bore is machined to precise tolerances, ensuring a secure fit on your motor shaft without excessive slop that could introduce backlash into your drivetrain. Whether you're running a brushless RC motor at high RPM or pushing a nitro engine to its limits, this pinion gear is designed to deliver consistent performance without compromising mechanical integrity. The precision engineering that goes into every Fastrax component means you're choosing a part that serious RC competitors and experienced hobbyists trust to maintain their vehicle's performance lap after lap and bash after bash.
What's in the Box
- FASTRAX M1 18T Steel Pinion Gear (5mm) MOD1 FASTM1-185
Frequently Asked Questions
- What vehicles is the FASTRAX M1 18T pinion gear compatible with? — The M1 MOD1 specification and 5mm bore ensure compatibility with a wide range of RC vehicles that use standard M1 transmissions, including many popular RC cars, trucks, and buggies from various manufacturers. We recommend checking your vehicle's manual or contacting us at RC Model Shop to confirm compatibility with your specific RC model before purchase.
- Why is hardened steel better than plastic or softer metals for a pinion gear? — Hardened steel offers superior durability and resistance to wear, which means the gear will maintain its tooth profile and dimensions longer under load. This translates to consistent performance over time, reduced replacement frequency, and ultimately better value for money. Plastic gears, whilst lighter, wear faster and can strip or break under aggressive driving conditions that steel easily withstands.
- What is the difference between MOD1 and other gear modulus specifications? — The MOD1 (Module 1) designation refers to the tooth pitch and size standard. Different modulus specifications have different tooth sizes and spacing, so gears from different modulus systems won't mesh properly together. Using the correct MOD1 specification ensures smooth operation and prevents gear damage caused by improper meshing.
- Is this suitable for high-performance racing? — Yes, the hardened steel construction and precision engineering make this pinion gear suitable for competitive RC racing where drivetrain reliability is paramount. Many serious racers and weekend warriors in the UK trust Fastrax components for their reliability and consistency, making this an excellent choice for anyone serious about RC performance.
- How often will I need to replace this pinion gear? — The hardened steel construction provides excellent longevity, but replacement frequency depends on driving intensity, terrain, and maintenance practices. Regular inspection for wear and proper lubrication of your drivetrain will maximise the lifespan of this component. Damaged gears should be replaced immediately to prevent secondary damage to mating components like the spur gear.
- What tools do I need to install this pinion gear? — Installation typically requires a standard hex wrench or socket set to remove your motor from the gearbox, and the appropriate shaft removal tool for your specific vehicle. Most RC enthusiasts find installation straightforward, but we recommend consulting your vehicle manual for specific instructions relating to your RC car UK setup.
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 FASTRAX M1 18T STEEL PINION GEAR (5MM) MOD1 FASTM1-185 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: Fastrax
- Model Number: FASTM1-185
- Product Type: Steel Pinion Gear
- Tooth Count: 18 teeth
- Gear Specification: M1 MOD1
- Bore Size: 5mm
- Material: Hardened Steel
- Availability: In Stock
- Price: £4.75 (excluding tax)
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.
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- 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.