building TC3: how free do the A arms need to be?

[Big Wig]

I have just started building my TC3 Factory Team kit. I have installed the front and rear arms and they all move very freely if you grab them with your hand and move them up and down. All except the left, rear arm move freely just by tipping the chassis and letting it flop. The left, rear arm moves with very little persuasion but it doesn't quite flop as freely as the others.

I cleaned the "seam" of material on the edges of the arms with a hobby knife and the hinge pins slid in and out of the arms freely before installation.

Do I need to disassemble the rear arms and work on them until they all move perfectly or will a few laps around the parking lot take care of it?

The reason I ask is that I always hate to install and remove machine screws from plastic (graphite composite) any more than necessary.

thanks in advance for your replies
Jay

[SteveP]

I generally like to build the cars so the arms fall under their own weight (no shocks attached). This is something that will happen on it's own with a little running time, but I prefer to get the fit just right before it hits the track. I use a #30 reamer (.128") for the 1/8 (.125") hinge pins on the TC3. Just a quick pass with the reamer ensures all the holes are exactly the same size and free of any flashing or burrs. Reamers are available through any local machine shop supplier.

[Big Wig]

Thanks for the reply SteveP! I read that info in your touring car issue (can't wait for the new one BTW http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/biggrin.gif ) so that was the first thing I checked before I installed anything. The A arms will fall under their own weight on the hinge pins until I install them on the car,... that's when I get the slight bind.

The flat head screws that mount the hinge pin bracket to the rear bumper locate that part and move it snugly against the arms. I think it might be just a little too snug on the arm in question.

Should I still remove the parts or let them wear in?

thanks
Jay

[SteveP]

I would just run it and let it wear in on it's own. It shouldn't take too much more than 5 to 10 battery packs.