Terra Scorcher suspension tuning

[StueyS 49]

On 11/4/2023 at 10:33 PM, Saito2 said:

As an update, I converted the Terra Scorcher into a Thundershot of sorts. Going to a mono shock in my case reduced some of the oversteer and settled the car in the lumpy grass of my backyard. I think with different tires it might be even better. I was still running the Scorcher's adjustable upper links which may have proven to be an issue. Coming around a turn, I managed to just slightly clip the inner right wheel on my daughter's swing set. It was a light tap and didn't really upset the T-shot's composure, but something on the front end looked "off". Bringing it in, I saw the front inner lower arm pivot had easily pulled out of the hinge pin (mounted to an alloy A5 of course). I don't remember my old T-shot from '05 ever doing that. Perhaps the solid upper arms must be employed to curb this, even if it puts more potential stress of other parts (knuckles, hubs, upper inner arm pivots, etc.) in the event of an impact.

I have had two rere lower front arms fail on the front after relatively light taps on the front wheels. The hinge pin had just pulled through the front holes. I have a set of HD printed arms on one car, and a pair of the original arms which apparently didn't have this issue. I do wonder if the moulded upper arms offer more support than the adjustable upper links which allow a lot movement back and forwards.

[Saito2 8309]

1 hour ago, StueyS said:

I have had two rere lower front arms fail on the front after relatively light taps on the front wheels.

Ok, its not just me then. 

1 hour ago, StueyS said:

I do wonder if the moulded upper arms offer more support than the adjustable upper links which allow a lot movement back and forwards

They seem to. The stock lowers are very flexible (the original "high traction" arm perhaps?) Even with the solid uppers added, the lower (already split) pulled out of the hinge pin again. I could try to swap it for my old '05 T-shot re-re arm and see if it holds up any better.