Shaft is too tight-fit, stiff & sticking

[WillyChang]

TA04 Hard Susp Arms; arms will not turn on shafts!

3mm susp hinge pin goes thru each hole fine, but when

threaded through *both* holes its a very tight fit.

(Its as though the arms' holes are mis-aligned.)

Same with all 4 arms, all shafts, both ends.

Shafts all checked not bent. []

The 1st set on the 04 ride smoothly, spare set I bought last

xmas wasn't too bad either... but this 3rd lot is real tight!!

Q:

1) is this intended to be Tamiya's design?? ie have the arm

grab the shaft, so the shaft *only* pivots in the mounts

stationary on the chassis.

2) or should I just ream them out so the shafts are free?

[RETRO R/C]

ahhhhhhh - another one of Tamiya's famous marketing ploys.........make something pivot and wear out on the most expensive part.......

Either way mate - they are gonna wear out.......I would just hammer them home - and let them pivot in the housings.......probably due for a new one after this set of arms anyway ! []

Another classic tamiya money making plan is to get you to put grease everywhere on the outside rotating surfaces (i;e - drive cups and shafts), so that they will collect the dirt - make a nice grinding paste - and wear out in half the time !

ahhhhhhhh - they are clever ! [}]

[WillyChang]

Well, won't blame Tamiya's marketing men... [8)]

However on the 414 & e3, the s-steel pins ride in little "bells"

in the alloy carriers, if so there's probably the best place for

the pivoting to happen.

But... they *do* tell you to grease there!!! []

(conveniently ignored that step)

In any case wasn't too happy with it so I took time

to ream out the arm holes until the shafts were turning

but not sloppy. Also had to sand down the sides of the

C-blocks and rear hub carriers a bit. [8)]

Didn't take too long, e3 suspension moving fine now. Only

took half an evening's work for total reassembly, not bad.

Methinks Tamiya's molds for these bits are wearing out.

The surfaces are all a little warped, not as straight-edged

as the 1st set I've bought. Look closely before you buy.