Kenny Carlile

After last night's "extreme" (tongue firmly planted in cheek) jumping session which resulted in a broken caster block (see below), I stopped off at Tammie's Hobbies and picked up a replacement pack of Traxxas Caster Blocks (Part # TRA3632) for $4.50 and a pack of Traxxas Suspension Pins with E-clips (Part # TRA3740) for $2.50. I was hoping to upgrade the caster blocks to aluminum ones, but they didn't have any, so I'll have to order some online to replace at a later date.

The repair was easy enough, although, being a complete noob to this stuff, figuring out the order in which to remove and replace things was a little tricky since the wheel got in the way. Knowing what I know now, I would do it like this:

1. Remove the wheel
2. Remove the remnants of the broken suspension pin (if needed)
3. Remove the remnants of the broken caster block
4. Install the new caster block, leaving the steering block disconnected
5. Install the new suspension pin connecting the steering block
6. Reinstall the wheel

I also added some of the suspension preload spacers to stiffen the suspension a bit for landings. I added one of the thickest spacers that came with the Rustler to each shock. As far as I could tell, the manual didn't explain how to do this, so it took me a bit before I realized I didn't have to pull anything to make this adjustment (just like I was hoping). To install the new preload spacers, simply pull the spring down and clip the spacer on to the upper shock body. The opening in the preload spacer will spread enough to slip over the shock body, so you don't have to remove anything.

I didn't try any jumps as big as I was doing last night, so I can't say how much the preload impacted landings, but it didn't seem to hurt the handling, at least on pavement.

I rolled the Rustler a few times by accident. Two of those roll-overs resulted in the plastic antenna tube becoming unseated from the chassis. I saw online last night that someone cut the antenna tube in two and inserted a piece of flexible fuel line to allow the antenna to bend in roll-overs rather than pulling out of the chassis. I think I might do this at some point.

Here's the broken caster block from last night:

All in all, I'm still very happy with the Rustler and I can't wait to drive it some more. I picked up a small tool box and some organizers to keep track of all the parts and tools that I have now specifically for RC cars. I'm awfully late to the game, but this is a fun new hobby.