TRF502X spare parts - advice for noobs

[kidcongo]

Well,

I have raced my TRF 502X now for two outdoor seasons (on dirt/clay track) and two indoor seasons (on carpet track with wood barriers (ouch!) and have learned a lot about what breaks and what doesn't in my experience. I thought I would put a list up for people new to this great car who might be wondering what to buy for spares right off the bat.

For starters this is my personal experience, so other opinions are out there and I welcome people adding to the thread with their own advice. I just wish I had this info before I started racing so I could not have spent the first couple months scrambling to get parts.

Things that I broke the most while learning and stock now as spares in my race bag:

#1 A-Arms: I broke and even number of front and back A-Arms and kept replacing with the stock "high traction" arms. When I upgraded (downgraded) to the TRF 501X arms (#51275 and #51279) I stopped breaking arms and have not had any breaks since (now over a year). I do not notice a difference in handling. The weird thing for me is I broke a total of 4 fronts and 4 rears, all the original style. The rears shattered on landings. They did not break off, but the webbing cracked which i noticed between races. We have some pretty hard-core plywood jumps inside, so the rear end takes some good hits. The fronts I broke on impacts and crashes like you would expect. Buy the 501X arms when you are starting out.

#2 Front Shock Shafts: I bent both stock front shafts, and replaced them with the TI coated (#54042). I have fractured a couple TI rods and keep a 2-pack as spares.

#3 Front hex wheel adapters (#9804313): You will likely break a couple of these until you learn the trick to mount a new set of Tamiya wheels. If you ever tighten them with the wheel in the wrong spot they crack in half. Buy a pack of two spares

#4 Front turn-buckle shafts. I bent a couple front suspension turnbuckes in crashes. I replaced them with hard ones (#53943) and no problems since.

#5 Damper parts: If you bend a shock shaft you may screw up your lower shock plastic seal assembly and guide (#51280). I stock a spare set.

#6 Spur gear: Our outdoor track keeps getting better and more clay, less gravel, but one pebble makes it into your body just right, you lose a couple teeth on your spur gear (#51415 48T). I stock a spare spur for outdoors.

#7 Wing mount: Ripped a couple of these apart ending up the wrong way up! (#19004287)



Things I bought as spares and have never ever used (yet - just jinxed myself I am sure):

#1 Front and rear shock towers #4304113) - I bought spare shock towers, but have realized these things are pretty bullet proof. If they survived my first year of 4x4 buggy they must be pretty tough. Haven't needed them yet

#2 Gearbox covers (#9004286) - I know many have complaints about this part breaking on the front. I have a spare, but have never broken it.

#3 misc suspension and steering parts - I have never broke a C-Hub or Steering arm, or caster block, or axle.

Upgrade I recommend for newcomers:
I would say the steering upgrade (#84283) is a noticeable improvement that even newcomers with appreciate as it makes the steering more responsive, and more robust and reliable. My steering used to jam when debris from our old track surface got under the flush steering levers and the old lock-to-lock sucked. The new chassis upgrade kit is also cool, but you won't notice a big difference until you get better.


Have fun, hope this helps someone out there