Spare parts...?

[LasagnaCat]

I just bought a Team TC3 and a Racer TC3 for my wife, we're both new to onroad racing although I've been in and out of offroad since my original RC10 kit about 25 r/c vehicles ago... The track we're going to has a rather limited number of parts onhand, so I was wondering if there were any specific parts that I should stock up on before we go.. as in anything that's bound to break sooner or later, especially with a new driver on one car.. also, any accessories (like droop gauge(?) type things) that we "have" to have that would be new/specific for the onroad... thanks in advance for any help/suggestions...

[Leet TC3]

The TC3, esp. the FT version, is a very sturdy car. Generally speaking, you should come thru most crashes unscathed. The only part you better have is the front and rear A arms, as these can break if one of your wheels slams against a wall.

Make sure you get a second set of hinge pins, wheel hub carriers, and maybe the hex adapter nut that slides into the axel. You can easily lose these, and if you lose one of them, and can't buy a replacement, you are done for the day. :(

[LasagnaCat]

Thanks Leet! It's the regular Team kit though, not the factory one if that makes a difference... all those parts are identical for both, yes? The cars haven't arrived yet, they're due here Monday, so actually physically checking isn't an option yet..

[Grizzbob]

Actually, the graphite parts will stand up to a bit more abuse, but they can also be more brittle, so they just work perfectly until they shred. As for what parts are good to keep around, if you can afford to, I'd suggest keeping front & rear suspension arms, both shock towers, hinge pins(BRP has a nice set of hinge pins for the TC3 at a good price), & the stuff that Leet mentioned. Also, it might be a good idea to have an extra bumper(both the plastic piece & the foam one) & maybe a couple of extra body mount posts. There are other things, but needing replacements depends on how your cars are set up. If you intend to use the front one-way, then you'll also need plenty of extra composite CVD bones(they're a pretty easy buy, the composite ones are only $10 for 4 of them), when running the one-way, if you hit something hard enough the stress will shear off most any CVD's, so replacements are a good idea(but once again, this is only a problem if you use the one-way, without it the diff will slip & protect the CVD's). One last thing I'd suggest you have is the set screw with shoulders that are part of the TC3's kingpin assembly(part # 3875), every once in a while one can back out & disappear & it's not the most common part in the world..... :)

[LasagnaCat]

One more little thing.. they have regular and graphite parts listed for a couple of those items... Is it better to put the regular items on her (beginners) car, are they stronger than the graphite or is it not much of an issue either way...?

[chizzler]

yeah, i just had two of those mysteriously disappear as of late. the recent one disappeared and then somehow reappeared magnetized to my motor a few days later :D

[IR]

From personal experience, I would pick up a set of wheel nuts as well. I know the blue TC3 ones are pretty, But I would think about getting the standard silver wheel nuts, I think they were for the 10l. They are slimmer and more of the axle gets into the nylon. I had a major problem with the blue nuts ejecting in the middle of a race. Once I changed to the standard silver, not a problem.

[Leet TC3]

IR - get the low profile aluminum wheel nuts. I had the same problem was you with the FT ones, they are just too thick. With the low profile nuts, they NEVER come off now. :)

[IR]

Leet, that's what I did, I just couldn't remember what they were called. I don't recall them being anything special, I think were intially for another Associated vehicle, but they are less deep and you're right, I haven't had one come off since I made the change.

[LasagnaCat]

Blue parts wouldn't match the paint job... (that does count for something, yes?)

Thanks again for the help guys, and now that all this stuff is coming I hope I never need to use it...!? That does sound twisted though, doesn't it..

LC

[LasagnaCat]

Not a minute into the first pack after assembly and my wife tangled with a garbage can in the alley... those hinge pins and (rear) arms really did come in handy.. sheesh