Tamiya CVA Super Mini Shock Unit Set

[DantheRSman]

Hello all, 

I am a newbie and have a question.

I have built the MF-01X Escort mk2 and found the shocks provided with the kit awful, the car bounces around it even took chips out of the wheels over gravel due to the bouncing. Thus I ordered the Tamiya CVA Super Mini Shock Unit Set, however every shop that sell the mini shock set mention in the description for that the shock set requires ball connectors for the rear of he MF-01 X chassis....pasted from an RC shop below....

 MF-01X Chassis*1.

*1:If employing at rear, use with 5x9mm ball connectors (Item 19805611).

As all the shops selling the shocks stated the above I ordered the ball connectors. 

However this is where I am confused, I have installed the shocks and cannot work out what the ball connectors are for?  The shocks fit the rear of the chassis and I have even tested driving the car on carpet in the house, everything seems fine. 

Does anyone know what and where these ball connectors should go? 

Are they replacements for kit ball connectors already installed? If so, why do they need replacing?

 All help appreciated, thanks.

[Willy iine]

Ball connectors are just the joints that replace the screws to mount your dampers to the car.  They give more freedom in movement to prevent binding..well, at least that is the concept.      I am pretty sure the damper set comes with those ball joints.  

[DantheRSman]

Hi,

Thanks for the answer, yes the set did.  However I used the screws that the stock friction dampers were mounted by, so should i use the ball connectors instead? 

When you say that's the concept, am I reading between the lines that the theory isn't necessarily correct and how I've mounted them with the stock screws is fine too?

[Nikko85]

If you replace the screws you have with ball connectors they'll fit much more smoothly and more precisely. I would swap out the screws myself. They replace the step screws the shocks are mounted to.

Yes, the stock shocks are terrible! 

[sosidge]

It shows why you need the ball connectors in the MF-01X manual. So look at that.

[DantheRSman]

1 minute ago, sosidge said:

It shows why you need the ball connectors in the MF-01X manual. So look at that.

Hi Sosidge, I looked through that and couldn't see anything about it. I'll look through it again then. thanks

[Willy iine]

25 minutes ago, DantheRSman said:

Hi,

Thanks for the answer, yes the set did.  However I used the screws that the stock friction dampers were mounted by, so should i use the ball connectors instead? 

When you say that's the concept, am I reading between the lines that the theory isn't necessarily correct and how I've mounted them with the stock screws is fine too?

I usually just screw the ball joints into the suspension towers and arms and snap the dampers info place.  Theoretically they are supposed to give more freedom in movement and less play, but honestly speaking, the dampers work just fine with the kit screws especially on short suspension travel.. it's entirely up to you.  If you sense any binding, I recommend you try the ball joints.  GL!  

[Aerobert]

On page 23 of the manual it is shown that you need to mount the ball connectors with a spacer to insure the dampers will move freely. Therefore the long ball connectors. I assume the standard ball connectors will work too but then you will have an angle when mounted.

[DantheRSman]

22 hours ago, Aerobert said:

On page 23 of the manual it is shown that you need to mount the ball connectors with a spacer to insure the dampers will move freely. Therefore the long ball connectors. I assume the standard ball connectors will work too but then you will have an angle when mounted.

Thanks for your help.  I had looked at the manual, but only the original pages where the dampers were shown.  

All done now, just got another shell so I can have one official Tamiya Escort rally shell and another one i plan to spray metallic red/black with some 18 spoke alloys for the cruising version depending on moods.