Wiring a Power Wheel shifter involves wiring the factory plastic first gear with a hardened steel first gear. A hardened steel first gear and hardened steel ball bearings help to reduce heat and extend shifter life. Wiring Power Wheels shifters isn’t glamorous, but it is gratifying. It complements the changes to the motor and batteries.
Power Wheels maintenance and wire include wiring damaged or stripped gears. The choice to wire or upgrade a damaged shifter is personal and financial.
This article will guide you on how to wire a Power Wheels shifter.
Power Wheel Shifter Components
The shifter has four distinct gears. Because it is coupled to the pinion, the first gear is extremely susceptible to damage.
You’ll find the tiniest one next to the switch’s toggle. The second gear is one notch above the first gear.
The third driving gear is the heaviest between the second and fourth gears. A vehicle’s fourth driving gear is the largest gear wheel opposite the first gear. It’s shaped to rest above the driver’s steering wheel.
What are the Functions of Each Component in the Power Wheel Shifter?
Power Wheels offers four 7R shifters with varying gear ratios. The pinion gear size determines the gear ratios. Ride-on cars with larger pinion gears go faster but provide less power.
A large pinion will overheat the engine and burn fuses. Bigger pinion gears are ideal for cycling on flat surfaces like pavements.
A tiny pinion gear reduces speed but increases power. Off-road, mud bogging, and towing riders should use tiny pinions for maximum power output.
Power Wheels Shifter Wiring Guidelines
Without special equipment or technical expertise, anyone can wire a Power Wheels shifter. For starters, all you need is a screwdriver and a power drill.
Due to their primarily plastic construction, ride-on automobiles are held together by safety clips and screws. They can be wired, disassembled, and easily reassembled as a result.
Step by Step Guide to Wiring a Power Wheels Shifter
- Turn the Power Wheels ride-on car over. Because the car has no fluids, it may be flipped almost anywhere.
- Find a flat surface. While all Power Wheels shifters are rear-mounted, the protective casing varies. To get to the shifter, detach the protective cover.
- Remove wheels. Most types have a guard underneath the rear wheel axle. That means removing the wheels and loosening the cover screws.
- Remove the hubcaps. To remove the hubcap, insert the screwdriver down the edge where it meets the wheel.
- Remove the wheel axle screw. Depending on the model, removing the hubcaps reveals the wheel-to-axle screw. Remove the lid by loosening the screw using a screwdriver or a power drill.
- Remove the tire. It works by unscrewing it. Remove it and lay it on the floor.
- Rep on the other rear wheel and remove it. This reveals the screws that secure the protective cover to the Power Wheels body.
- Power drill the protective cover screws out. The number of screws holding the cover to the ride-on automobile varies by model. A screwdriver will do, but a power drill is faster. Remove each screw and store them safely.
- Place the ride-on car’s cover on the floor.
- Remove the axle. Since the axle is a straight rod, it should be easy to remove. If the axle is slightly deformed, it must be wired. A bent axle causes gear peeling and destroys a new shifter.
- Get rid of the damaged shifter after cover removal. Remove the shifter from its mounting. The shifter and motor are attached.
- The transmission isn’t attached to the Power Wheels body in stock. Instead, it’s molded into a tight fit and secured by the outer covering and back axle.
- The raising shifter raises the attached motor, which is wired to the Power Wheel.
- Two screws hold the engine to the shifter. Drill or screwdriver the screws loose.
- Wire the shifter. If you choose the correct Power Wheel wiring shifter, it should fit properly with the motor. Align the shifter with the engine and tighten the two screws. Wire the shifter in the housing.
- Insert the new shifter into the Power Wheel. Wiring the other shifter is easy.
- Suppose one of the shifters has stripped gears and wire. If one Power Wheels transmission is damaged, the other isn’t long behind. Wiring them all at once saves time and effort.
- Replace the rear axle. After reattaching both shifters to the ride-on car, it’s time to reinstall the axle. Gently insert the axle into the Power Wheels through the colored wheel mount. Assemble both sides of the ride-on automobile.
- Before installing the tires, ensure the axle is balanced.
- Reinsert tire cover. Place a cover on each tire and tighten the screws.
- Wire hubcaps Pop the hubcaps on each wheel and tighten them.
- Take the Power Wheels ride-on for a spin.
Common Power Wheel Shifter Problems
Noise Level
The noise is the most obvious indicator of a gear failure. A grinding sound from Power Wheels cars indicates a gear issue.
Remove the grinding tire and check the shifter for stripped gear wheels.
If one shifter has stripped gears, the other is likely not far behind. Inspect and wire any broken gear wheels.
External factors nearly usually cause shifter failure. If you only wire the broken gears without fixing the problem, it will happen again.
Melted Shifter Case behind Fourth Gear Wheel Drive
A melted shifter case happens when excessive or unequal pressure is applied to the fourth gear. This form of damage is caused by a bent axle, damaged axle mount frames, and customized tires.
Front Drive Shifter Casing Melted
The heated pin burns through the plastic case when the first gear spins. The beam heats up due to old grease, debris, and lack of lubrication.
A steel first gear with ball bearings wires the conventional plastic first gear.
Slim First Gear
Power Wheels’ first gear is the weakest link. It’s the first to go when you add additional power to a ride-on. It’s because the pinion gear isn’t center-aligned with the first gear.
The motor wasn’t evenly placed and fastened to the shifter if the teeth were angled. The shifter jolted when only a few teeth were impacted.
Final Remarks
A Power Wheel ride-on car with stripped gears isn’t doomed. A short shifter swap can get the automobile going again.
The wiring method is simple and requires no special tools or engineering knowledge. Coupled with additional mods, Power Wheels shifter upgrades can greatly improve a ride-on car’s performance.
Please be careful and use at your own risk
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