Weak points on Astute ?

[Percymon]

Spending too much time here, and playing on ebay after a drink has resulted in an Astute heading my direction.

In the past with ebay buys, i've done a full strip down and rebuilt them with lots of new parts, costing me a small fortune.

This time round i'm going to give it a quick once over, pop some alternative rims/tyres on it and use it (its got a reedy 14x2 in it so should be pretty quick)

So which parts should i be checking over for splits, cracks, damage, play etc - ie what are the weak links ?

thanks

[Origineelreclamebord]

Spending too much time here, and playing on ebay after a drink has resulted in an Astute heading my direction.

In the past with ebay buys, i've done a full strip down and rebuilt them with lots of new parts, costing me a small fortune.

This time round i'm going to give it a quick once over, pop some alternative rims/tyres on it and use it (its got a reedy 14x2 in it so should be pretty quick)

So which parts should i be checking over for splits, cracks, damage, play etc - ie what are the weak links ?

thanks

Watch the D-parts - they seem to be the hardest to get hold off - and when looking at how the suspension blocks (the main parts of the D-tree) are fitted, you can see why: They use press nuts. They always gave problems on the Dyna Storm (loosening slightly, popping out of their plastic slot and therefor becoming hard if not impossible to tighten or loosen because you can't grip the press nut), so I guess they would do the same on the Astute.

I don't run an Astute so I can't help you on the other parts, but with the experience of my Dyna Storm I can tell what I stated above

[TamiyaDan]

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[wildwillydriver]

Hi,

is an Astute or a Super Astute? Just to be sure.....

If it's an Astute the weak points are C parts 3-2-4 (3&4 in particular in my experience) very delicate and easy to break, and also the ball diff that have to be packed carefully, following the manual, using a very good ball diff grease (Associated or Schumacher are the best in my experience) and using some extra SC7 diff spacers to avoid slipping. Pay attention to not overtighten the diff screws, diff housing B is like butter.......

Anyway everything less than 19T put a lot of stress on it, with the need of frequent rebuilt. A lot of people use the Super Astute TTC transmission that is a lot stonger with slipper clutch, gear diff and able to manage brushless motors.

My advice is, run it gently........

If it's a super Astute I have no direct experience, i'm only sure about the TTC transmission.

Hope this help.

Bye

WWD

[TamiyaDan]

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[Percymon]

Thanks guys, so if it's plastic it's a weak point lol!!

[TamiyaDan]

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[europro975]

Quite a lot of Astutes were modify to either Super Astute or Madcap rear suspension setups.

Antony

[tamiyoman]

Yup, astute pretty weak all over, great looking but made of butter ;-)

[Thommo]

All of the above is true in my experience. I am currently fitting out an Astute with Madcap rear suspension mounts, rear suspension arms and rear hubs. I have done this successfully before, it is a bit easier to source Madcap parts and it definately strengthens the rear. I have never tried to fit the Madcap front arms though. Can anyone advise if it is easy to change to Madcap front suspension arms and uprights and if this would help?

Edit: I just found this very useful article. There are some great ideas in here for any Astute runner.

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/article.asp?id=94

[Thommo]

Hi Percymon. Now that you have received your Astute, are you going to post some images for us? I would be interested in how it progresses!

[Percymon]

Hi Percymon. Now that you have received your Astute, are you going to post some images for us? I would be interested in how it progresses!

will see what i can do tonight - i hope you don't have any high expectations !

[Percymon]

Ok, here goes, not the best images but they give an idea..

No underbody, but other than a few light scratches at the rear its unscathed..

Imaginitive rear wing attachment, two bent nails..

Front end, doesn't look too bad ..

Chassis deck, period radio gear and esc..

Rear suspension..

Rear wishbone assembly..

Reedy 14x4 motor..

Not checked condition yet beyond taking the pics, so any comments about whats correct and what's not (ie Madcap parts) most welcome

This afternoon, ordered some black dish wheels and spike tyres..

[Thommo]

That looks like a great starting point for a runner and not too many scars or road-rash either. Mtv stickers are definately period correct.

If you are going to spend any money on her then definately look at the Madcap suspension, uprights and rear hubs as mentioned previously. I think TD's tips regarding dampers in the Astute Rebuild thread are spot on too. My first attempt to solve poor steering in the Astute will be Madcap suspension arms, uprights and 0 offset or neutral steering arms (the front axle pivots around the centre point). This increases the wheelbase slightly from the Astute steering arms and together with some softer dampers should make the steering more positive. I am also changing all of the tie rods to turnbuckles with ball connectors and setting neutral toe and only a degree or 2 of negative camber.

Those wheels and tyres look like a great choice. Are they the same diameter as Astute/Madcap or are they the slightly bigger DT02 size? Also where did you order them from, I would like to have a look. Thanks.

My Madcap "B" parts and an Astute ball connector bag just arrived from the UK as I am typing, now I can get to work on that front end! Home from work and straight to the shed.

[Percymon]

That looks like a great starting point for a runner and not too many scars or road-rash either. Mtv stickers are definately period correct.

there's a bit of elongation around the shell bodypost holes but nothign too severe that its not a good runner shell. The spoiler isn't correct but is undamaged and not too out of place for those that don't know better

If you are going to spend any money on her then definately look at the Madcap suspension, uprights and rear hubs as mentioned previously. I think TD's tips regarding dampers in the Astute Rebuild thread are spot on too. My first attempt to solve poor steering in the Astute will be Madcap suspension arms, uprights and 0 offset or neutral steering arms (the front axle pivots around the centre point). This increases the wheelbase slightly from the Astute steering arms and together with some softer dampers should make the steering more positive. I am also changing all of the tie rods to turnbuckles with ball connectors and setting neutral toe and only a degree or 2 of negative camber.

I'm not too bothered currently about making it much beyond what Tamiya originally produced, a cursory glance through the pics suggests it still has Astute wishbones, uprights and steering etc. I'll need to check integrity of the rear hubs and the wishbones carriers, plus the other weaknesses but there's nothing obvious i've spotted so far. If i don;t have to spend silly money replacing components (it came with a near complete B sprue, and i have a load of spare balls connectors etc from a Hotshot rebuild) then i'll probably buy a Kamtec repro body set and some decals, although i'm not that keen on boxart red

Those wheels and tyres look like a great choice. Are they the same diameter as Astute/Madcap or are they the slightly bigger DT02 size? Also where did you order them from, I would like to have a look. Thanks.

They are all made by Reely, the tyres are available from amazon, but i got the lot from www.conrad-uk.com (Conrad hav quite a few country specific websites)

Conrad have a silly menu structure, and you can't link directly to specific pages - you'll find two entries for 1:10 buggy wheels n tyres - one has the tyres in, the other the rims !

Conrad menu navigation to get to them is.. Home > Hobbies > Modelling > Model Cars > Car model accessories > Model car hubs, tyres

I know mike-o has some of the Reely extreme buggy rear tyres on one of his DT-02s, they are soft but seem to last reasonably well. Time will tell what the wheel quality is like but they're cheap enough to not have to worry about longevity, and worth a try compared against the Tamiya versions at twice the price.

The rims are 60mm OD, so slightly bigger thant he original Astute ones, with widths front 20mm , rears 36mm. Tyres are 55mmID, 85mm OD, widths a few mm wider than the rims

Conrad also do a Carson ribbed and spiked front tyre, as well as some 'street paw' tyres with a similar close square block pattern to the tyres used on the buggy champ/rough rider.

My Madcap "B" parts and an Astute ball connector bag just arrived from the UK as I am typing, now I can get to work on that front end! Home from work and straight to the shed.

Ah, the man shed, or RC shed as mine's becoming !

[Thommo]

i'll probably buy a Kamtec repro body set and some decals, although i'm not that keen on boxart red

but i got the lot from www.conrad-uk.com

Ah, the man shed, or RC shed as mine's becoming !

I would love to know how the Kamtec bodies shape up against the ***** bodies? I have no experience with either and I need bodies for my Astute and Egress builds. Box art red doesn't work for me either, it takes me ages to finalise a paint/decal scheme.

Thanks for the Conrad tip, that was well worth a look.

My man shed is quickly becoming a dedicated RC shed too. I even moved my baby's change table in there and converted it into a work station.

And once again the postman has just walked into my office with a delivery. This time some bearings, shims, ball cups and turnbuckles from Stella. Your thread is bringing me very good fortune with the postie.

[Percymon]

Been busy on other things for a while but tonight finally hooked up a battery. First bump, all of an inch high and the rear wheels are pointing in the wrong direction. Yep, you guessed it - previous owner had broken both rest hubs and tried to repair then with epoxy. Good enough for a quick run on smooth Tarmac for the eBay advert!

Wish me luck finding some replacements !

[Thommo]

Been busy on other things for a while but tonight finally hooked up a battery. First bump, all of an inch high and the rear wheels are pointing in the wrong direction. Yep, you guessed it - previous owner had broken both rest hubs and tried to repair then with epoxy. Good enough for a quick run on smooth Tarmac for the eBay advert!

Wish me luck finding some replacements !

Hey Percymon, I do wish you luck finding parts. I have just received my "A" parts (the last thing needed to progress with my build). It has taken me months to round everything up. Mate, if your not building this thing to box art then you just have to fit Madcap rear hubs. They are a direct replacement and I would say they are necessary for any Astute runner. Good luck, I'm looking forward to seeing this progress.

[Percymon]

Hey Percymon, I do wish you luck finding parts. I have just received my "A" parts (the last thing needed to progress with my build). It has taken me months to round everything up. Mate, if your not building this thing to box art then you just have to fit Madcap rear hubs. They are a direct replacement and I would say they are necessary for any Astute runner. Good luck, I'm looking forward to seeing this progress.

Thanks Thommo

given this is never going to be a shelf queen i've ordered the Madcap lower arms and hubs (0005363 & 0005364) - hopefully this £25 in parts is the last i'll be spending on the Astute !!

[Thommo]

Thanks Thommo

hopefully this £25 in parts is the last i'll be spending on the Astute !!

Good idea. Mine will probably drive like a DT02 at the end of the day and I will spend enough to buy 2 of those I still much prefer the Astute though, they are great value.

[Wez-li]

Thanks Thommo

given this is never going to be a shelf queen i've ordered the Madcap lower arms and hubs (0005363 & 0005364) - hopefully this £25 in parts is the last i'll be spending on the Astute !!

Hi mate, your Astute looks good (a lot better than my latest arrivial lol)

Let us know how you get on with the madcap lower arms/hubs conversion

[Thommo]

Hi mate, your Astute looks good (a lot better than my latest arrivial lol)

Let us know how you get on with the madcap lower arms/hubs conversion

Hi guys. I am doing the Madstute hybrid conversion right now and I have just fitted the Madcap arms and hubs. The rear arms and hubs are a direct replacement. The rear arms can be fitted to either the Astute rear arm mounting blocks or the Madcap ones. I have fitted my rear arms to the Madcap mounting blocks (these appear stronger than the Astute ones) using longer 10mm x 3mm countersunk screws. Should you choose to fit Madcap front suspension arms as I have, there is a couple of tricks. The Astute front uprights foul on the arms and hinder droop so can't be used. I have used the Madcap uprights however the Astute steering knuckles are too big for these. I chose to trim down some Super Astute steering knuckles however the other option is using the Madcap steering knuckles. (I found some on-road knuckles that worked well also, just not sure which model they are from). The Madcap front suspension arms also have a smaller gap where the front shock is mounted. You will have to use something alternative to the original Astute which has a tiny sleeve with a ball in the centre as this is too fat to squeeze into the gap. I used a pivot ball from DB01 suspension. This just popped straight into the lower eyelet on the front shock and was fitted with two 3mm washers. The upper mounting point for the front shocks also needs to be spaced out from the tower an extra 3mm (I just used one of the left over metal bushes and some longer screws). DB01 shocks are also a direct replacement so some of these or some 3 racing DB01 shocks are a good option. Replace the upper suspension links with modern turnbuckles, ball cups and ball connectors. I hope this is helpful and feel welcome to PM me if you have any questions.

[Percymon]

Well my resto is complete - turns out to be quite a decent condition runner, although i'd like to get a new shell to make it better still, and have the undershield, but thats for another day. Madcap rear wishboness added..

[Thommo]

Well done, I like that you kept the bent nails and servo posts for wing mount. The Mtv body as a runner body and then spending some time on a display body when you are looking for something to do is a great idea. Let us know how she goes, it already looks fast in your images.

[Percymon]

The bent nails are actually quite a good idea, they hold the rear wing firmly enough for driving/jumping purposes, and in the event of a rollover /crash they allow the wing to move sideways and down into the chassis protecting it a little from damage!