How to Install the WideMaxx� Suspension Kit for the Traxxas Maxx

Get Even More Handling Performance from Your Maxx

The Traxxas Maxx offers outstanding rough-terrain handling with its long-travel suspension. For even greater stability in extreme terrain, especially when running the Maxx with full 4-cell LiPo power, Traxxas offers the 8995 WideMaxx Suspension Kit. The kit is available in six different colors and includes a complete set of upper and lower arms, toe links, and stiffer rear springs. Installation is easy, and can be completed in less than an hour. Just follow these steps.

Step-By-Step Video

Placing the WideMaxx arms next to the standard ones, the extra width is obvious

The 8995 WideMaxx suspension kit’s arms are 20 mm longer than the stock parts for a total width increase of 40 mm (just over 1.5 inches). Longer toe links are also included in the kit (not shown).

Metric Hex and Nut Driver Essentials Set

You can use the tools supplied with the Maxx, but for faster, easier wrenching, we recommend the 8712 7-Piece Metric Hex and Nut Driver Essentials Set. This set includes all the hex- and nut-driver bits required to work on all Traxxas models, plus a convenient carrying and storage pouch. TIP: The optional 8720 Large handle allows you to apply more torque with less effort for easier tightening and loosening of larger fasteners, such as the Maxx’s 8 mm wheel nuts and 4 mm screw pins. 8012 Tool Kit

Required Tools

2.0 mm hex wrench or driver
2.5 mm hex wrench or driver
8 mm nut driver or kit-supplied box wrench

1) Begin by removing the wheels using an 8 mm nut driver or the wrench supplied with your Maxx. Remove the 4 mm screw pins (arrowed) to release the front steering hub and rear axle carrier. Also remove the 3x18 button-head that secures the toe link to the steering block.

Remove the wheels

Unscrew the Steering Blocks

Unscrew the Axle Carriers

2) Remove the caster block/steering block assembly and rear axle carrier. The female halves of the driveshafts will come out with them.

Remove the Steering Blocks

Remove the Axle Carriers

3) The bumpers and skid plates must be removed to access the lower suspension arms. Remove the arrowed 4x25 mm button-head screws. Next, turn the chassis over and remove the 4x10 mm countersunk screws from the front and rear skid plates.

Remove the 4x25 mm Screws

Remove the Countersunk Screws

4) Flex the bumper and skid plate up, and pull it away from the chassis. The wheelie bar will come off with the rear skid plate.

Remove the Bumper and Skid Plate

Remove the Wheelie Bar

5) The arrowed screw pins and a 4x12 mm button-head screw hold the suspension arms in place. Remove the button-head screw and slide the tie bar mount and the metal tie bar off of the suspension pins.

Remove Screw Pins

Remove the Tie Bar

6) Remove the lower suspension arms and pins. Next, remove the screw pins and upper arms. The screw pins and suspension pins will be reused for the WideMaxx arms.

Remove the Lower Suspension Arms

Remove the Upper Suspension Arms

7) Reverse the disassembly steps to install the WideMaxx arms. The lower arms are labeled LF - RR (Left Front - Right Rear) and RF - LR (Right Front - Left Rear) to help with proper installation. The upper arms are all identical, just flip them over for the proper orientation. The tie bars are labeled F (front) and R (rear), install accordingly.

Lower Suspension Arms

Suspension Arm Orientation

Tie Bar Orientation

8) Here are the arms in their correct orientations. The arrows point towards the front of the Maxx.

Right Front

Right Rear

Left Front

Left Rear

9) With the new arms in place, you can now reinstall the steering block/caster block and rear axle carriers. The caster blocks and axle carriers are labeled R and L to indicate right and left, and the driveshaft halves are keyed to maintain correct universal-joint alignment. There are marks in the shafts to show correct alignment, but you can just rotate the female half until it slides over the male half. The shafts only fit together when properly aligned, so it’s goof-proof.

Reinstall Steering & Caster Blocks

Parts Labeled Left and Right

Line Up Driveshafts

10) Reinstall the screw pins to secure the caster blocks and rear axle carriers. Next, reinstall the front and rear skid plates by reversing the previous steps.

Reinstall Caster Blocks

Reinstall Axle Carriers

Reinstall Skid Plates

11) Replace the stock toe links with the WideMaxx kit’s longer versions. Remove the button-head screw that secures the toe link and install the new link. Note that the toe links have a different type of hollow ball in each end. The end with the taller, hourglass-shaped hollow ball is the bellcrank end.

Replace Stock Toe Links

Install WideMaxx Toe Links

Hollow Ball Orientation

12) The longer WideMaxx arms call for stiffer springs, which are included with the kit. The springs are “blue,” indicated by a spot of blue paint on each spring. Install the blue springs on the rear shocks, and replace the front springs with the springs you removed from rear shocks. A screw secures each spring perch. Remove the screw, then push up on the perch and slide it off the shaft to remove the spring. To recap:

-Replace the rear springs with the BLUE springs.
-Move the rear springs to the FRONT shocks.
-The stock front springs are not used.

Replace Springs

Remove the Old Springs

13) Reverse the steps to install the new spring. Be careful not to mix up the front and rear springs when swapping them. Reinstall the button-head screws that secure the shocks and toe links, and the WideMaxx Suspension Kit installation is complete!