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Turnbuckle / ball cups / ball studs

Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 2:12 pm
by DrumAnBass
I need some suggestions and part numbers to replace all my turnbuckles / ball cups / and ball studs for my RC10 (graphite mid motor / andy's a-arms).

The previous owner of the RC10 graphite truggy conversion thing I picked up on ebay installed some funky turnbuckles that have a ball with a hole through them, which was then attached with a bolt to where the ball stud would normally screw into.
Looks similar to these:
Image

While a great idea in concept, they have tons of slop in them; lots of extra movement that should be tight.

This is essentially a backyard basher so I don't really need Lunsford titanium turnbuckles, but I would like to know what you guys would use to replace all the ball cups and ball studs in your cars? I might be able to recycle the actual turnbuckles.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Edit- here is the ugly front end as it exists at the moment:
Image

Re: Turnbuckle / ball cups / ball studs

Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 7:00 pm
by DrumAnBass
Ok here is what I have come up with -

Associated Adjustable Tie-Rod Set Turnbuckle # 6529
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LX2540&P=ML

Associated Ball Stud Short Black .300" TC4 # 3983
(I figure the short balls might help with any clearance issues I may encounter - the car is running Blackfoot wheels & tires)

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHZX7&P=7

Any other suggestions? Color / brand isn't too important...

Re: Turnbuckle / ball cups / ball studs

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 1:31 am
by SteveK
The tie-rod set will work well. Add in some ball studs and you'll be all set. Read through the manuals, Associated should have them up on their site, to see what hardware is used where.

I didn't do the math, but these will give you all the balls and rod-ends you need, and you can get the tie-rods separately (or get that tie-rod set as well, have the extra ends for spares: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LX2546&P=SM These should do most of the car, you might be better off with some longer-shank ones in certain spots, I think the black ones are the ones you want there. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXNZ73&P=7

Also pick up some of these: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LX2547&P=SM to keep stuff clean.
I use these to fasten the other end of a thread coming out of a piece: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LX3324&P=7 They also make nyloc versions, but you don't really need them. File the end of the threads flush with the nut where you need clearance, like in the bellcranks.

For the center bellcrank tie-rod, Associated made/makes a one-piece rod that's perfect for it. RPM still makes it too I think. For the link that goes from the steering servo to the bellcrank, I like to use heim joints like he's got on there now, so I can just unscrew it to work on the car and not snap it off.

If you're like to try a different method, this set of Traxxas rod ends will give you enough for the whole car: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJJ81&P=7 and they bolt on with screws and nuts (use button head screws and those thin nuts for clearance). The rods might need to be a little shorter, these don't thread as deeply as the other rod-ends, but they're cheap and work well. I have bought bags of these over the years for 4x4 links, steering links, shock mounts, etc.

Re: Turnbuckle / ball cups / ball studs

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 8:48 pm
by DrumAnBass
Thank you so much for all the insight Steve! Very much appreciated!