Anyone know a cheaper alternative to Tamiya, 5X8mm Hex Head Ball Connector ,(53969) that have the same size and hex head?

I was thinking of those for my M-05R since the short originals break inside the aluminum steering parts, so it's a pain to remove them as I seem to break them frequently. That longer one would allow screwing far enough through the aluminum to allow securing it with a nut (which in turn would be threadlocked) and in case of breaking it'd be easy enough to remove. Also would do away with the problem of the connectors coming loose, because I currently don't threadlock them due to making it even harder to remove if they snap (I know they can be heated to melt the threadlocker, but still a pain). And also the hex head makes them easier to use that the stock balls.

I guess I'm just being a cheapskate but ~$10 with shipping is a bit meh for 5, and that'd only leave 1 spare for front steering so would probably need two sets anyway. Everything else with enough length and a hex head seems to be 4.8mm for the ball, which would supposedly be slightly too loose.

Even though Tamiya calls them 5mm, they're actually 4.8mm. Also be aware that the neck of these studs you linked to is shorter than the ones on the M05 so you'll either need to shim them or accept a geometry change.

Does anyone shim the car to take all the play out of the suspension, axles and steering?

Especially on my Tamiya's I leave a certain level of play in the steering and suspension as it works in the car's favor.

I only have the axles shimmed. From what I've heard.. guys in the past would shim everything (tc style) and the car would get worst lol... I leave the slop everywhere but the axles.

My Tc's are a different story regarding everything being perfect.

I have. I saw a difference in transitions, but really nothing to write home about. Definitely nothing worth spending the couple hours of tweaking it took.

i need to run some narrower rear hexes on my m05 due to a new body im running rubbing...
are there any tamiyas that run a 4 or 5 mm thick PLASTIC hex?
we have to run box stock so id rather not run alloy hexes and draw attention of the scrutineers. ;)

ah so you want to bend the rules to suit your new body!! pretty sure the m07 stock plastic are 5mm, thats what kit ones measure

Box stock means what came in the box. You're still breaking the rules by using a different hex even if it's plastic.

Ha, I was just thinking sand paper too. ...
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I ran into the same thing w/ various bodies rubbing against the wheels in the M class. There were a a few bodies that seemed to work better than the others for this reason.

does anyone have this motor? https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy-...-approved.html

I have it on my m05 v2 pro and I used the 20t pinion and the 20T mounting holes and it seems to be a little too far away from the gears. So the gears doesn't mesh properly

I used a spare trackstar 4250kv sensorless brushless motor and it seems to mesh nicely.

Is there any performance difference in the SPEC #1016 S-Grip pre-made tire versus the build your own sets for TCS? Other then the color of the rims?