Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Land Models / September 2006

Usuall going into a turn i turn so sharply i am turning into the corner and
back the way i came.  I.e. over steering.  Other corners the car faces the
other way and slides sideways into a barrier.

Anyway last night hit the wall barrier, which rather than being the flexy
white plastic it was a solid brown clay pipe, whole back wheel ripped off.
Looked like most of the stuff had just popped out, however, a tiny ball
joint came out and was lost.  part no 31010.  The other damaged part was
31025.  You can see where 31010 ball joint type thing fits and it is
scarred.  Looks like the ball joint ripped its way out across the front face
of 31025. It is situated underneath the sealed gearbox and just before the
main drive shaft.  Took the whole car back to where i bought it.  want the
anodised aluminium part.  A bit confusing what that might be for ordering.
They don't think much of electric racing, mostly off road nitro stuff.

Decided to replace everything with higher quality metal parts as the plastic
parts break off.  Some say that won't work with the standard graphite
chassis and only the carbon fibre one will withstand the extra wrenching
forces on it as the former plastic parts no longer give up first.  Others
say the graphite is tough enough.    It seems to me that part 31024 is the
next weak link.

As for getting help it was mostly laughter, derision at me using the
exploded diagram to dismantle parts, and should of bought team losi, or
whatever.  Most help was a fellow tc4 owner.  leant me his rotating stand.
told me to get 'dean' battery connectors instead of the 'tamiya' ones.  I
still had to do my turn marshalling even though i was out of the first race
in 30 secs and spent the rest of the evening tracing down why the whole
assembly had popped apart.  Didn't have a clue what i was doing so kept
dismantling the rear suspension til i got to the final weakened part and
figured out what other part was missing.

At least i got a cheap membership cos there is only 3.5 months to go.  I
will have to fork out for a years insurance for only 3.5months though.  You
are only covered for 3 visits without your own personal cover and that was
my 2nd night.

I've bought the dean connectors.  £3 a set.  bought 3 1 battery each and one
for the charger.  Asked for an extra set of chassis clips.  Need one extra
for attaching the transponder to the body shell.  Got sold these flashy
extra long clips that go right across the car.  Probably rubbing their hands
everytime they see me come into the shop.