How to upgrade a Power Wheels gearbox motor

Choosing the RPM

Motor speed is measured in RPM. A 30,000 RPM RS555 is a sensible replacement for a worn stock motor; 40,000 RPM gives a noticeable speed upgrade; 50,000 RPM is the fastest and best kept for older kids and experienced builders. Always replace both rear gearboxes with the same speed.

Check before you order

• Motor model number printed on the old motor.
• Shaft hole: 12 mm (0.47 in).
• Motor diameter: 35 mm (1.38 in).
• Voltage: 24V system.

If all four match the listing, the LAZORA gearbox is a direct replacement.

Install in five steps

• Step 1: remove the push nuts and hub caps from the rear wheels.
• Step 2: slide off the wheels and the old gearboxes.
• Step 3: unplug the motor wires and note the colours.
• Step 4: fit the new gearboxes and reconnect the wires the same way.
• Step 5: refit the wheels with new push nuts and test at low speed.

Keeping a faster car reliable

Higher speed means more current, more heat and more wear on gears. Keep the battery fully charged and healthy, check the fuse rating, and let the motors cool between long runs. If the car pulls to one side after the swap, one motor's wires are reversed; swap them and test again.

Can I upgrade the motor in my 24V Power Wheels?

Yes. Most 24V Power Wheels and similar ride-on cars use two rear gearboxes with 555-size motors, so a motor gearbox upgrade is a bolt-on job. You do not need a new battery or new wiring; the upgrade kit plugs into the existing leads. The only real choice is speed: stock motors usually run well below 30,000 RPM, so even the 30,000 RPM pair is a noticeable improvement on a worn car.

Stock gears versus upgraded gears

The stock gears inside a kids' ride-on gearbox are plastic, and the first gear behind the motor pinion takes the most wear. Racing builders sometimes fit steel gears, steel pinion gears and heat sinks for very high power, but for a family car a fresh gearbox replacement with new plastic gears and a new motor gives the best balance of cost, noise and durability.

• Plastic gears: quiet, light, the standard in most kids' cars.
• Steel gears: very durable, louder, mainly for high-power builds.
• Heat sinks: help motors stay cool on long, fast runs.

Tools you need

• A flat screwdriver or pliers to remove push nuts
• New push nuts (the old ones often bend)
• A Phillips screwdriver for the gearbox screws
• Electrical tape and a marker to label wires

Work on a flat surface with the battery disconnected, and keep the old screws in a cup so none go missing. Once the wheels are back on, test the car on the ground at low speed before a child drives it.