Bad info from JP Turners newsletter.

[FastEddy]

I recently received a newsletter from a mailing list I subscribe to. Most of the time the basic info that is sent is good noob stuff. The last issue had some bad info in it and needs to be corrected.

Here are the original tips, them my response to them. If you have any more info to add, please do so.

This thread is not to bash the person or news letter, its to help RCNT members that may have read it and to help understand the right way to address issues it refers to.

Quote from JP Turner News letter
http://www.rccarsecretsguide.com/main.htm

An extremely common problem with steering is what is called "slop".
It means that the plastic ball cups that snap onto the ball ends,
that create the pivot points for your steering suspension, aren't
very tight, and rattle on the shaft.

This translates to less than optimal steering response.

I have two solutions for this, try em' and see what works for you.

The simplest one that I try first, is taking a pair pliers, and
squeezing the ball cup while its on the ball end. By mashing down
hard in it, it should press the plastic on the inside of the cup
into the shape of the ball end, making it a snug fit.

After I do this, and I still have slop, then I use everyone's
favorite tool, CA glue.

Take the ball cup OFF the ball end, and put a drop of glue inside
the cup. Swirl it around, coating the inside, and then turn it
over and let the excess drip out. After it dries, snap it back on
the ball end. It should be tighter, giving you more responsive
steering.

My response

JP,
I read you tips when sent. For the most part they are good solid basic tips.
The ball end tips are BAD advice........
It purpose for ball ends is to have a weak link that will pop if there is sufficient force to do so.

By crimping them or coating the inside with CA as you recommend will defeat this and possibly cause more damage then if they were left alone. The 2nd issue is that it will bind the suspension causing it not to work properly and to get bad performance. It will also put un-due stress on servos that may be attached.

There are 2 proper fixes for this. The first one is to replace the ball end. They are cheap and should be considered regular maintenance. The 2nd fix is to use a shock shaft gasket on the ball stud before placing the ball cup over the stud. Doing this will make the fit tighter without compromising the ability to pop off when needed. It will also serve to keep dirt out of the cup that causes it to wear out prematurely.

You may want to retract the tips you sent and offer this up instead. No one can be right all the time and you will seem more credible for admitting that you found a better way.

 

[beason]

good job eddy.

i was thinking the same thing as you when i read his stuff. squeeze the cup with pliers?? how cheep can you be? there like 5 bux for 20 of them!! lol.. and i can just se a noOb being all exited and not waiting on the glue to dry.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Good points, Eddy, but one thing I'd like to make mention.

I agree with not crimping your ends to the ball studs.

As to the CA tip, though, he's not suggesting you glue them to the ball stud, only that you coat the interior of the ball cup with CA. I've done this myself (because, Beason, I'm a cheap bastard!) What it does is resurface the interior of the ball cup so it seats better on the ball stud. You only put it on AFTER it has dried, not while it's drying. It's a good, quick fix while you're at the track or bashing and don't have any spare ball cups with you.

I agree, overall, that it's better to replace them when they wear out as part of a regular maintenance regiment. I would NEVER suggest the CA trick simply to avoid paying, like Beason said, a few dollars for a plastic tree of those things! I've done it, like I said, when out and needed a quick fix to get me through the day.

 

[FastEddy]

We will do anything to get us through the day however his tip wasn't a "Track Side" fix. He was recommending it as a way to remove slop and increase performance.

If he said "if you out bashing or at the track and your ball end keeps popping off" I wouldn't have an issue.

 

[olds97_lss]

I used to pinch mine with pliers in the field for a quick fix, but I pinched them with pliers off the ball stud, then snapped them back on.

Like you said though, these are quick "field" fixes if you don't have a ball end laying in your pit box. But then again, anyone who bashes/races should have a supply of those with them.

 

[supersavage]

Can I have everyones used ball studs and caps? 5 bucks will get me a burger and a coke...

 

[truthseeker]

hey eddy, that was a good response. you let him know there was a better way without pissing him off. now you'll find out what kind of guy he really is. if he sends you the e-finger, you'll know he's really just a jerk and doesn't care a rats ass about being accurate. let us know what the response is!

 

[FastEddy]

LOL, He sent me an e-mail saying he needed to ask his buddies and "Field Test" my tips.

Field testing on new ball ends is a difficult job and the results may differ from user to user.
Using shock shaft gaskets has been around as long as shocks and ball studs.

 

[beason]

he just doesn't want to give you the credit. i can almost guarantee he will change the tip and say HE found a new way of doing it.

 

[truthseeker]

kind of sounds like the old :thefinger to me. now you know, i guess.

 

[FastEddy]

I don't want any credit. I just hate seeing people doing things that may not be right because they read it.

 

[Revo Rancher]

Like kurtf5 and his hotshot tuning tips...