FCX24 (K5 Blazer) chassis links question:

[Manderthal]

I'm not sure how to attach the (Y shaped) aftermarket chassis link to the FCX24 axle. None of the pillow balls/ bushings that came with the links fit through the hole at the end of the link. I don't know if these are press fit or if anything in this hobby is ever press fit.
I hope the pics tell the story. Stock chassis links are black, and have a pillow ball that stays in the link even after disassembly. Aftermarket chassis links are red anodized aluminum.
(This is about the uninstalled, Y shaped chassis links, not the installed, red high clearance links)

Can anyone walk me through this?

This is the other end of the chassis link. These ends are tapped.

 

[WickedFog]

I'd contact the manufacturer. That's just weird.

 

[Doom!]

Hmmmm, that's an upgrade I haven't tried on the FCX24. Seems like they either sent something meant for the SCX24 or they didn't do thier homework.

If it fits without the bushing you might try to run a bolt with a nut on the end, but you would have to make sure not to over tighten it.

 

[Manderthal]

I considered making my own bushing using an appropriate thickness of wire insulation or some such small material with a hole in the middle. I didn't want to jury rig a newbie fix without checking with the people who know better. I also didn't want to take a chance on splitting the link by pressing a steel bushing into an aluminum hole, although that could be easily done using temperature extremes, especially if the inside of the hole was dished, though I doubt the manufacturer went to the bother of doing that. Some of these solutions could negatively affect the articulation of the axle though, which is the whole point, so not optimal.
Of course I could always drill it out I suppose because the wall thickness appears to be thick enough, but that would be less fun.

 

[Manderthal]

I drilled it out. No problems. Nice to add a splash of color on the chassis.

 

[Doom!]

I drilled it out. No problems. Nice to add a splash of color on the chassis.

Glad you got it to work.