Build Sheet Associated RC18T RTR

Build Sheet
Associated RC18T RTR
Equipment
Receiver: Stock AE
Motor: Castle Creations Mamba 5400
ESC: Mamba 25 with Deans connector
Steering Servo: Airtronics 94091Z
Battery: 7-cell GP1100mAh NiMh with Deans connector
Setup
Gearing: 12/60
Shocks: Associated 40 weight silicone oil, stock pistons
Springs: Associated gold front and Associated blue rear
Pre-Load: 5mm front, 5mm rear
Wheels: Pro-Line Wabash 2688-04 front and rear
Tires: Pro-Line Dirt Hawg 1116-00 front and rear
ESC Settings: Current Version 011010, see settings backup for details
See setup sheet for more details
Upgraded Parts
Servo saver replaced with Airtronics AIR98302 servo saver.
Steering drag link replaced with Driven Productions DP102 delrin drag link.
Front dogbones replaced with Associated MIP 21230 CVD axles.
Rear dogbones replaced with Associated 21031 aluminum dogbones.
Front bumper replaced with RPM 70035 wide front bumper.
Motor mount replaced with Full Force RC 18T003.
Bottom o-ring in each shock replaced with a Buna-N #003 o-ring. (McMaster-Carr 9452K11)
See Note 1 and sketch.
Bearing set replaced with Full Force RC 18T020.
Rear suspension arms replaced with Atomic AS012.
Atomic rear sway bar AS015 installed.
Updated March 12, 2010
Modifications
0.080” plastic shim under servo ensures correct steering geometry and clearance.
Tie rods modified for more clearance/ steering throw.
See Note 2 and picture for details on steering setup.
Front differential D-rings glued to differential outdrives for reliability. See Note 3 and sketch.
Rear differential converted to a spool using gorilla glue (polyurethane), see Note 4 for details.
Shock collars installed on top and bottom of all suspension springs to help hold spring cups in
place.
Holes drilled in all ball cups to allow removal of studs without removing the ball cup.
Bump steer removed, see Note 5.
Future Changes
Install gear cover around pinion and spur gear.
Note 1 – O-Ring Upgrade Description
Add 1 #003 o-ring in place of 1 OE o-ring to each shock shaft. Replacement o-ring is below OE
o-ring or on side towards suspension arm, not side towards shock reservoir. “Outer o-ring” Use plenty
of Associated 1105 Green Slime during assembly. See sketch.
Note 2 – Steering Modification Description
Airtronics 94091Z micro servo attached with factory servo mount in factory location. Servo
mount modified slightly to allow the servo ears to sit flush on the mount. Small screw secures the right
servo ear to the mount to prevent trim changes after bumps. 0.080” plastic shim underneath the servo to
allow drag link to clear drive shaft. One layer of double stick tape between servo and plastic shim.
Servo output attached to Hitec Mini-T servo saver. Servo side of servo saver cut down on the non servo
end to allow screw included with servo saver to attach securely to the servo. Servo saver arm cut
slightly to clear drag link and center brace allowing full range of movement. DP drag link replaces
original part. Approximately 3/32” radius cut on bottom of DP drag link on servo end to clear servo
saver arm and allow full range of movement. Right tie rod has hole drilled through servo end to allow
brass grommet from servo mounting kit to be installed with flange toward the servo. Grommet glued in
place. Smaller grommet glued to screw included with the servo saver and forms a bearing with
Updated March 12, 2010
grommet in tie rod. Screw included with the servo saver holds tie rod, DP drag link, and grommets to
servo saver arm. Rubber shim added to the back of the servo saver arm steadies drag link to reduce
play. Silicone grease on rubber shim and black grease on grommets. Inner ends of both tie rods
modified to clear gearboxes to increase steering travel. Left side (non servo side) assembled per Driven
Productions' directions. Gearboxes also required some modification for clearance. See picture.
Note 3 – Differential Assembly Description
Apply glue to backside of d-rings instead of grease during assembly. This is performed during
Bag B – Step 2 by replacing the grease with medium CA. The surface of the d-ring being glued should
be sanded lightly. Also, the gluing surface on the outdrive should be cleaned with alcohol.
Note 4 – Rear Differential Assembly Description
Assemble differential per directions except for the following: Use CA on back of d-rings as in
Note 3. Use no lube on balls or gear during differential assembly. Ensure that all balls are added,
otherwise binding may occur. Wet the gear and apply Gorilla brand polyurethane glue to d-rings during
assembly. Tighten fully and apply oil to differential gear so glue does not stick. Clean gear and lube
with silicone grease once polyurethane has cured.
Note 5 – Bump Steer Removal
Substitute long ball studs for the short ball studs in each of the steering blocks. Add one 0.020”
washer under ball stud. Stock, plastic steering bushings from Associated 21050 are drilled to fit over
ball stud shank and one bushing is installed under each ball stud. Together, this is 0.115” of spacers to
raise the tie rod at the steering block, resulting in zero bump steer.
Updated March 12, 2010
Pictures
Servo saver and drag link detail. Note the material removed from the back of the tie rod inner bushing
for clearance.
Updated March 12, 2010
Sketches
Damper assembly using #003 o-ring.
Updated March 12, 2010