Rally! 150 Posted December 19, 2022 Hi, guys... Was wondering if anyone has had this happen to them before. I was installing the TT-01 Turnbuckle tie rod set (53662) on to my TT-02. Everything was fine until I went to screw in the 5x9 mm ball connector. They both snapped on me, as you can see in the photo. The brass ones went in fine. I don't think I over-tighten them as I'm usually worried about the plastic. Has anyone had this happen? What did I do wrong? Also, the thread is now lodged in both uprights which means I'll have to probably buy new parts tree for them. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm a bit bummed out by this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwistedxSlayer 1290 Posted December 19, 2022 That's a good effort. I've not seen metal snap in plastic in quite a while. Other than a tiny drill, new uprights are required. Sorry dude. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kol__ 3377 Posted December 19, 2022 Ah no mate😕 Can't imagine you could've done anything wrong here, must be weak metal which broke as it tried to cut a thread into the plastic. Did they snap as the thread was cutting or when you were giving them a final nip up tight? Is there any of the bolt threaded shaft sticking up out of the plastic of the uprights or is it below the surface of the hole? If you go for this again, it sounds like tapping the holes with a 3mm tap to put a thread in them will be the best route. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rally! 150 Posted December 19, 2022 @Kol__ They both snapped in the final nip up. There was a bit sticking out the bottom, but not enough to get to it. Luckily, The parts tree I need is available near me and it's only $10 CDN. I just don't know wether to even try this again, or revert back to stock. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kol__ 3377 Posted December 19, 2022 Ah I see mate. Possibly the metal was stressed as it created the thread in the plastic and then it didn't take much to snap it off once tightening up. Nah you'll be fine buddy, you could pick up the new parts and a tap set like the one linked below and just gently nip them up lightly once the hole has been threaded by the 3mm tap👍 Adjustable Silver T-Handle Ratchet Tap Holder Wrench with 5pcs M3-M8 3mm-8mm Machine Screw Thread Metric Plug T-Shaped Tap https://amzn.eu/d/eu1bhI1 A helicoil kit can also be quite a good option for plastic threads. I bought a set the other day to repair a stripped out 3mm self tapper hole on a buggy that I bought second hand. The previous owner has obviously got a bit carried away and stripped out the thread. So I helicoiled the hole and then was able to use a machined M3 threaded screw to hold the part in place. QWORK Thread Repair Installation Kit, M3 x 2D Stainless Steel Thread Insert Combination Tool Set 50pcs https://amzn.eu/d/6u5ZRwc 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rally! 150 Posted December 19, 2022 @Kol__ Thanks so much for the help and the links. I really appreciate it. Now, I need to find replacement ball ends. I searched around and can't seem to find any 5x9mm from Tamiya that are sold separately. I wonder if I can go with shorter ones? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kol__ 3377 Posted December 19, 2022 No probs mate. These 8mm would do the trick I reckon and are in stock at Tamiya USA, but a little pricey... https://www.tamiyausa.com/shop/option-parts/rc-hex-head-ball-connector-2/ High-strength steel too, so don't see you snapping those off👍 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rally! 150 Posted December 19, 2022 @Kol__ Yeah, saw those yesterday. Pricey, indeed. $14 Canadian. Ouch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tamiyabigstuff 832 Posted December 19, 2022 A small amount of silicone grease on the threads might help stop this happening again. If you can get the remains of the broken metal threaded part out from the plastic part, use superglue & a piece of scrap plastic parts tree to fill the hole up and then drill a new correctly sized hole for the replacement threaded metal part. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rich_f 233 Posted December 19, 2022 You may be able to file or grind a small slot into what remains of the threaded part and use a small flat-headed screwdriver to remove it like a grub screw. You should then be able to keep these parts as spares - with the bonus that they're already threaded for the next ball studs. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rally! 150 Posted December 19, 2022 35 minutes ago, rich_f said: You may be able to file or grind a small slot into what remains of the threaded part and use a small flat-headed screwdriver to remove it like a grub screw. You should then be able to keep these parts as spares - with the bonus that they're already threaded for the next ball studs. Might be worth a try. Thanks. The other issue is, I can't find that size Tamiya ball studs for sale separately. One of the guys at my local hobby shop thinks they may have snapped because the hole was slightly too small. Not sure though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TurnipJF 9192 Posted December 19, 2022 32 minutes ago, Rally! said: The other issue is, I can't find that size Tamiya ball studs for sale separately. I haven't had a ball stud snap like that myself, but I have seen it happen to others often enough to be very wary of the things. Personally I prefer to use ball nuts wherever possible. Part number 9804206 gets you four of them in sturdy steel: These have an M3 internal thread, so you can insert a machine screw from the opposite end of the hole, chosen to protrude almost but not quite the full length of the ball nut, and tighten the nut down onto this. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rally! 150 Posted December 19, 2022 @TurnipJF I didn't think of that. Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rally! 150 Posted December 20, 2022 I'm going to try @rich_f idea of getting the remaining thread out and take it from there. I've ordered a new parts tree for replacement uprights, anyways, so I'll have some extras. I still want to have adjustable turnbuckles, so I guess I'll try some other ball connecters that hopefully won't snap. If anyone has any ideas, or has done a similar set-up, I'm all ears. Thanks for all your responses and suggestions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rally! 150 Posted December 21, 2022 So I gave it a shot and it didn't work. It was impossible to get enough torque on the screwdriver with its tiny handle. I also tried using a small chisel with a large wooden handle and that didn't work either. I'll keep trying. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rich_f 233 Posted December 23, 2022 One more idea if you don't get anywhere with trying to unscrew it from the hole - but also want to keep the upright as a spare - is to get a soldering iron and touch it to the broken screw so that the plastic softens enough for you to either unscrew it or just push it out. It doesn't matter if you destroy the internal threads in the plastic because you can use a ball nut and regular screw as mentioned above - you just need the hole. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rally! 150 Posted December 23, 2022 @rich_f Thanks, I'll give that a shot. I'm really determined to get these out even though I've ordered new parts. It's getting personal, now! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
