Be sure to check each bearing very varefully too. A blown out or binding bearing can really mess up your ride.

Tear it down and look it over and rebuild it,Set it up properly.then make the comparison.If its used how well are the differentials are they in need of a rebuild.how are the shocks,old oil, no oil? you just cant compare a car like the way you did its just not fair to the car!

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep driving the TB-02 for a while, so I should have time to tear down the TC-3.

Batjam, I wasn't planning on comparing the cars that night. I planned to run the TC3 and brought the TB-02 just in case. I practiced with the TC3, and ran the first qualifying heat with it until I hit a board and broke a front arm. So, I switched to the TB-02 for the second qualifier and picked up my pace by 2 laps (22 lap pace in the first qualifier, to 24 laps completed in the second).

So, I didn't go out to the track thinking "I'm going to compare a several year old TC3 with this brand spankin' new TB-02". But, the fact is, the TB-02 just drove so much better. I'm not saying it was faster, but it was much easier to drive, which in my hands meant I completed more laps.

So, I'm just trying to figure out if the TC3 is designed or set-up for a driver with more skill than me, or is something out of whack. What I'm hearing from all of you is something is probably out of whack.

As for the shocks, I recently re-built them with 50 wt oil in the fronts and 40 in the rear, kit springs: gold and silver.

The diffs are OK, I think. So, that leaves the bearings and hinge pins at either end of the suspension arms.

Thanks.

I have built the shocks on my TC3 and TC4 plenty of times but this is baffling me. I have had two leaking shocks recently. It appears the VCS bobbin has lost its holding strength and no longer wants to stay "seated" in the bottom of the shock body. This allows the o-rings to uncompress and move up with the VCS bobbin which allows oil out. Do these things wear out from time to time? This is happening on my TC4. I had my TC3 A LOT longer than I've had my TC4 and I never once had this problem with this car. Thanks for letting me post this here. If I remember correctly the internals of the shocks between the 4 and 3 are identical. Any idea besides buying new VCS bobbins?

what kind of shock bodies do you have?...(composite,aluminum,aluminum threaded)

I would say maybe you didn't get the VCS bobbin trimmed perfectly and it isn't locking into place. Or there is a possibility that the inside of the shock might not have been manufactured properly. I've had my TC3 for a long time and never had any trouble with leaking. Hope this helps.

aluminum bodies. The bobbin offers no resistance going into the shock body. I guess the bobbin just wore down on its 8 corners and cant offer the resistance to stay in place. I have since learned the flat washers wont work as the TC3, 4 shocks keep the bobbin in place with friction and not a groove that the washer needs like in the off road shocks. I guess its time to try new bobbins.

most likely to bobin...sorry i guess you do

i have a question now... is AE's solid axle for the tc3 made out of steel or what...can anyone help me out please?

thanks

aint it alluminium? the IRS one is.

Just make ya own like i did for drifting it aint gone wrong yet

how did you make your own

To all who might be interested - I just talked with BMI and Jason is going to make another batch of new BMI TC3 chassis's - I for one am buying one........................

kool

and umm... does any one know if the 200mm arms for the tc3 are very much available to buy if needed.

Thanks

3 Racing TC4 Aluminum steering knuckles fit the front TC3 just the same. has anyone tried them on the TC3 car. let me know how they fit.
newera152

Several companies sell (or did) sell those. 2 things to think about: 1)weight - they weight more than stock 2)they will bend if hit hard enough (I know everyone drives without hitting anything......... LOL) I have thought several times about using them and haven't. The one thing I have problems with is the stock knucles wear out pretty fast - the top and bottom screw holes (I have tried Losi and they are better) - have tried loc tite/superglue/ect. Does anybody have any have any ideas on a better solution????????

I think have some if you need them