B4 newbie - understeer & some other q's

[Hallsy]

Got my new (to me) B4 yesterday, as far as I can tell (newbie) it's totally stock apart from RPM front turnbuckles.

Took it out for a quick run in a local lorry park yesterday, running a lipo and spiked tyres. It seemed to understeer a lot more than I'd expect, getting worse under power. Is this normal for a B4, or a sign that I need to add some front end weight (due to the lipo?)?

Judging by how quickly the rear tyres have worn, I'm guessing that I might not have had much front end grip on the slightly damp paving with spiked tyres. Looks like I might have to get another set of wheels depending on what surface we're running on!!

Other question, the buggy is in good condition, but having been raced a few times I noticed some play in the suspension mounts and front A arms. With the shock mounts, will this likely be remedied just with new bushings, or do the eyes & bushings tend to wear together? Likeiwse, if I have some play at the A-arm mount, is this a sign that the arm itself is worn (just runs on a pin - right?).

Or is it normal for there to be a small amount of play, even with new parts?

Was great fun nontheless, until my gf managed to break the rear shock tower!!! Nevermind!

[Dudders]

Wait until your racing as all conditions vary, carpet, mud, grass or Astro. Then fiddle. Dont set up for tarmac, as even then vary.

[Dreadstar]

Unfortunately,spike tyres never last very long on tarmac,they're really meant for running on dirt/grass/astro,so they don't get a lot of grip on damp/wet tarmac. Is this B4 brand new,or did you get it 2nd hand?
Every time you decide to take it out to either race,or bash it,go around every screw,making sure that they're tight,it's amazing just how often,that you'll find some slackening off. I wouldn't worry about the play in the shock ends,as long as they don't pop off the balls very easily they'll be fine. They should pivot around the balls in normal use anyway. Were you running on spike tyres all round,or just on the rear? If you do decide to run it on tarmac again,I'd suggest puting the grooved front tyres on it,as they'll work far better on tarmac than spikes will.

[Hallsy]

I bought it 2nd hand from here.

Don't get me wrong, the play on the shocks isn't major, but there is definate slop, just something I noticed, but then I'm used to fxing 1:1 cars, and realise that small amounts of play are probably accepted on 1:10 cars with plastic ball joints!

The tyres were brand new, GRP conespikes. All I've got at the mo, I was hoping to get out on some grass & dirt yesterday, but we ended up going to the car park first and that was that!!

I'm thinking that I'll get another set of wheels with some ribbed front tyres, and blocked rears - just to use for messing about on harder stuff, then keep the spikes for dirt/grass, although I've probably worn the rears out now!!