While 1/8th scale vehicles are very tough, and can handle a wide range of abuse, they also have enough weight and leverage (on the arms) to either bend a hinge pin or break a suspension arm (or hinge pin holder); especially a heavier, wider truggy. Tekno and Losi are known for their strong plastics. Therefore, arms don't break at the expense of possibly bending a hinge pin. Whereas Kyosho, Mugen and Associated tend to break arms or hinge pin holders instead.

If you're a racer, you can finish a race with a bent hinge pin. That's a little more challenging with a broken suspension arm or hinge pin holder.

I've read where some have purchased 4mm drill blank material in order to achieve a stronger hinge pin. I have yet to hear whether that did in fact solve the problem of bending the hinge pins in a big crash. I also haven't heard if a stronger hinge pin now moves the force to a weaker link. In other words, did they trade straight hinge pins for broken suspension arms or hinge pin holders.

Please let us know what you find out when you make your own hinge pins.