Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear 24T 48DP 3.2mm Shaft AS1342

Overview

The Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear 24T 48DP 1/8" Shaft (AS1342) is a precision-engineered replacement pinion gear designed for serious RC enthusiasts and competitors who demand the absolute best performance from their RC cars. Whether you're running a 1/10 scale buggy, truggy, or short course truck, this Factory Team upgrade delivers noticeable improvements over standard steel pinions. If you're looking to optimise your RC car setup in the UK, upgrading to a lightweight aluminium pinion is one of the quickest and most cost-effective modifications you can make.

This is not just a pinion gear—it's a Factory Team hop-up component that combines professional-grade engineering with proven performance gains. Associated's Factory Team division specialises in competition-winning parts, and this pinion represents years of track-tested development. The 24-tooth configuration at 48 diametral pitch is a popular mid-range selection suitable for a wide variety of applications across Associated RC car ranges, from the T6 series to the B6 series and beyond. Whether you're a weekend basher fine-tuning your setup or a competitive racer seeking every marginal gain, this pinion gear offers tangible benefits that justify the investment.

Replacing your standard pinion with this aluminium version is straightforward, and the improvements in weight savings, durability and identification make it an essential upgrade for anyone serious about maximising their RC car's potential. In the competitive RC car market across the UK, Factory Team components have earned a reputation for delivering results, and this pinion gear is no exception.

Key Features

• 7075-T6 Aluminium Construction — This is premium-grade aluminium alloy, the same material used in aerospace and high-performance racing applications, offering superior strength-to-weight ratio compared to standard steel pinions and delivering noticeable weight savings that improve overall RC car performance and handling.
• Hard Anodised Finish — The hard anodising process creates a durable protective coating that dramatically extends the lifespan of the gear teeth, resisting wear, corrosion and tooth stripping far better than untreated aluminium, meaning more consistent performance across extended running sessions and greater longevity even with frequent use.
• Two Set-Screw Positions — The dual set-screw mounting options provide flexibility in motor placement and allow you to fine-tune mesh engagement with your spur gear, enabling precise gear meshing adjustments that directly impact acceleration, efficiency and drivability of your RC car.
• Laser-Etched Tooth Count — The tooth count is precisely laser-etched directly onto the gear for instant visual identification, eliminating confusion when managing multiple pinions and making it easy to track which tooth count is installed in your RC car at a glance during pit sessions or setup adjustments.
• Factory Team Hop-Up Specification — This is an official Associated Factory Team upgrade component, meaning it has been developed, tested and validated by the same engineers who design competition-winning RC cars, giving you confidence that you're installing a professional-grade component trusted by professional racers.
• 48 Diametral Pitch (48DP) Standard — This is the industry-standard pitch specification for 1/10 and 1/8 scale RC buggies, truggies and short course trucks, ensuring perfect mesh compatibility with standard spur gears on your RC vehicle without any modification or adaptor requirements.
• 1/8 Inch (3.2mm) Shaft — Designed specifically for standard 1/8" motor shafts, this pinion gear fits directly onto brushless and brushed motors equipped with 3.2mm shafts, which is the most common motor shaft size in the RC buggy and truck scene in the UK and worldwide.

Technical Performance

The AS1342 represents a significant engineering upgrade over standard steel pinions commonly supplied as stock components with ready-to-run and kit RC cars. Constructed from 7075-T6 aluminium, this material offers exceptional properties: it delivers approximately 40-50% weight reduction compared to steel pinions of equivalent tooth count, which translates directly into lower rotational inertia and improved acceleration response. The hard anodising process applied to the tooth surfaces creates a wear-resistant layer that maintains gear mesh integrity across hundreds of charging cycles, preventing the gradual tooth degradation that occurs with uncoated aluminium or standard steel gears. The precision machining ensures perfect pitch diameter tolerance and tooth profile, critical for smooth engagement with your spur gear and consistent power transmission without noise or vibration. The 24-tooth configuration at 48DP provides a balanced gear ratio suitable for a wide range of track conditions and motor KV ratings commonly used in 1/10 scale RC buggies and truggies. The dual set-screw holes (typically positioned 180 degrees apart) allow you to optimise motor mesh by selecting the screw position that delivers the cleanest engagement, eliminating backlash and ensuring repeatable performance. This is the engineering standard established by Associated's Factory Team division after decades of competition experience in RC racing across Europe, the USA and worldwide.

What's in the Box

• Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear 24T 48DP 1/8" shaft (AS1342)

What You Need to Complete

• Motor with 1/8" (3.2mm) shaft to mount the pinion gear
• RC car chassis compatible with 48DP standard spur gears (Associated TC, B, SC or other major brand 1/10 scale RC buggy, truggy or short course truck)
• Allen key or hex driver (2.5mm or 3mm) to tighten the set-screw(s) securing the pinion to your motor shaft

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will the AS1342 24T pinion fit my RC car? — This pinion is designed for any RC car running a 48DP (Diametral Pitch) spur gear with a brushless or brushed motor featuring a 1/8" (3.2mm) shaft. This includes the vast majority of 1/10 scale RC buggies, truggies, short course trucks and stadium trucks from Associated and many other manufacturers. Check your current motor shaft size and verify your chassis uses 48DP standard gearing—if you're unsure, contact the RC Model Shop team in Walsall and they'll confirm compatibility with your specific model.
• What is the difference between 24T and other tooth counts? — The 24T configuration represents a mid-range pinion tooth count. Lower tooth counts (17T-20T) favour maximum top speed but reduce acceleration and torque; higher tooth counts (28T and above) increase acceleration and climbing ability but reduce top speed. The 24T strikes a balance suitable for mixed track conditions and is one of the most popular choices for general-purpose RC car setups across competitive racing in the UK.
• Why choose aluminium over steel? — Aluminium pinions deliver three primary advantages: firstly, weight savings of 40-50% reduce rotational inertia, improving acceleration response and overall handling; secondly, the hard anodised finish provides excellent wear resistance and longevity comparable to or exceeding steel pinions; thirdly, visual identification is easier thanks to the laser-etched tooth count. For competitive racers and serious hobbyists, the performance gains justify the investment, especially when combined with other hop-up components.
• Will this pinion make my RC car faster? — No single component makes your car faster, but pinion tooth count directly affects top speed versus acceleration balance. The 24T pinion will deliver very similar top speed to other 24T pinions (regardless of material), but the weight savings may improve acceleration and handling characteristics. If you want higher top speed, you would select a lower tooth count (like 20T or 22T); for more acceleration and climbing, select a higher tooth count (like 26T or 28T).
• How long does an aluminium pinion last? — With proper maintenance and correct mesh engagement, a hard anodised aluminium pinion typically lasts 50-100+ hours of running time, depending on running conditions, motor KV, gearing stress and maintenance. Regular inspection for tooth wear and keeping the motor and pinion clean will extend lifespan significantly. This pinion will outlast most standard steel pinions due to the superior hard anodised coating.
• Is this suitable for beginners? — Absolutely. While this is a Factory Team hop-up component, it is straightforward to install—simply remove your existing pinion, slide this one onto your motor shaft and tighten the set-screw. No special tools or expertise required. Beginners benefit from the improved durability and weight savings, making it an excellent first upgrade alongside other essential maintenance items.

Why Buy from RC Model Shop?

RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the ASSOCIATED FACTORY TEAM ALUM. PINION GEAR 24T 48DP 1/8"SHAFT AS1342 today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.