Overview
The Associated Washers 7.8 x 3.5 x 1.0mm Blue Aluminium are precision-engineered spacers designed for serious RC enthusiasts who demand exact fitment and reliable performance across their fleet of RC vehicles. Whether you're running a high-competition 1:8 scale truggy, a nimble 1:10 buggy, or any RC car UK setup in between, these washers provide the fine-tuning capability that separates casual drivers from competitive racers. Supplied in a convenient pack of ten, these blue aluminium washers are an essential consumable for any RC hobbyist's spares collection. The 1.0mm thickness offers the perfect balance between adjustment precision and practical usability, making them ideal for wheelbase adjustments, suspension shimming, and drivetrain spacing where exact measurements matter.
Associated is a legendary name in RC racing with a heritage spanning decades of innovation and championship-winning performance. These washers are manufactured to the same exacting standards that have made Associated components the choice of professional drivers and weekend bashers alike. The blue aluminium construction not only looks professional but provides exceptional durability and corrosion resistance, ensuring your adjustments remain stable through extended use and varied weather conditions across the UK. These washers are fully compatible with the entire Associated RC8 range including the RC8B3 and RC8T3 series, plus countless other 1:10 and 1:8 scale platforms.
If you're serious about tuning your RC vehicle for optimal performance, you understand that suspension geometry, wheelbase measurement, and drivetrain alignment aren't luxuries—they're necessities. Small adjustments create measurable differences in handling characteristics, traction, and overall race performance. These precision washers give you the tools to make those critical micro-adjustments with confidence, knowing that every spacer is manufactured to exact specifications. Keep a pack in your pit box, your toolbox, and your spares drawer; once you start using precision shimming to dial in your setup, you'll never look back.
Key Features
- Precision 7.8mm Outer Diameter — The outer diameter is engineered to fit standard RC vehicle suspension mounts, shock towers, and drivetrain components, ensuring seamless compatibility across Associated platforms and many other manufacturer designs used throughout RC car UK racing.
- 3.5mm Inner Diameter Bore — The precisely-machined inner bore accommodates standard fasteners and suspension rods, allowing the washer to function as both a spacer and a load-distribution component that protects softer materials from fastener pressure.
- 1.0mm Thickness Specification — This thickness provides the ideal middle ground for suspension and drivetrain tuning, offering measurable adjustment capability without introducing excessive stack height that could compromise suspension geometry or create binding issues.
- Blue Aluminium Construction — The blue-anodised aluminium material delivers corrosion resistance, lightweight construction, and professional aesthetics while maintaining excellent strength-to-weight characteristics essential for competitive RC setups.
- Pack of Ten Units — Whether you're building multiple vehicles, maintaining a competition fleet, or simply stocking your pit box with essential spares, the ten-pack quantity ensures you have sufficient washers for comprehensive suspension and drivetrain shimming across your entire RC collection.
- Flexible Thickness Range — Associated manufactures this washer in three thickness options (0.5mm, 1.0mm, and 2.0mm), allowing drivers to select the precise shim thickness needed for any specific tuning application and providing complete adjustment flexibility.
- Wheelbase Adjustment Capability — These washers excel as rear hub spacers for wheelbase adjustment on RC8B3 and RC8T3 series vehicles, enabling drivers to fine-tune wheelbase geometry for different track conditions, traction levels, and driving styles.
- Universal 1:10 and 1:8 Compatibility — Beyond Associated vehicles, these washers function across the entire spectrum of 1:10 and 1:8 scale RC cars, including buggies, truggies, short-course trucks, and specialty platforms where precise shimming is required.
- Suspension Tuning Application — Use these washers to adjust caster, camber link preload, anti-squat geometry, and shock mounting heights, giving you granular control over suspension characteristics that directly impact handling and performance.
- Drivetrain Shimming Function — The washers serve as precise spacers in differential mounts, drivetrain positioning, and CVA joint shimming, ensuring tight tolerances and optimal power delivery from motor to wheels.
Technical Performance
These Associated washers represent the intersection of precision manufacturing and practical RC engineering. The 7.8 x 3.5 x 1.0mm dimensions are purpose-designed to integrate seamlessly with Associated's suspension architecture, particularly the advanced systems found in the championship-winning RC8B3 and RC8T3 platforms. The 1.0mm thickness provides meaningful adjustment capability—for reference, this thickness is substantial enough to create measurable changes in wheelbase geometry or suspension ride height, yet thin enough that stacking multiple washers remains practical without exceeding critical suspension angles. The blue-anodised aluminium construction undergoes the same finishing process as premium Associated components like their celebrated 7075 hard-anodised shock towers and suspension mounts, ensuring consistent colour, finish quality, and material properties across your entire vehicle platform. The aluminium material properties offer approximately 2.7 grams per cubic centimetre density, meaning each washer contributes minimal rotational mass while maintaining exceptional rigidity. These washers are manufactured to tolerance specifications that ensure they function reliably in both individual and stacked applications—critical when shimming requires multiple washers to achieve specific spacing requirements. The anodised finish provides excellent corrosion protection, essential for UK RC drivers whose vehicles encounter diverse weather conditions ranging from dusty summer track days to damp winter terrain. Whether you're tuning for medium-grip indoor clay, high-traction blue groove outdoor surfaces, rough semi-packed outdoor terrain, or dusty bumpy conditions, these washers maintain dimensional stability and functional integrity across all environmental conditions where RC vehicles operate.
What's in the Box
- 10 × Blue Aluminium Washers (7.8 x 3.5 x 1.0mm)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between the 0.5mm, 1.0mm, and 2.0mm Associated washer options? — Associated offers this washer in three thickness specifications to provide maximum flexibility for suspension and drivetrain tuning. The 0.5mm option provides fine adjustment for minimal spacing changes, the 1.0mm offers a middle-ground thickness ideal for general wheelbase and hub adjustments, and the 2.0mm provides more substantial spacing for applications requiring greater adjustment range. Experienced tuners often stock all three thicknesses to handle any shimming scenario across their RC vehicles.
- Can I use these washers on vehicles other than Associated brand RC cars? — Yes. While these washers are specifically designed for Associated platforms including the RC8B3, RC8T3, and throughout the RC8 range, the 7.8 x 3.5 x 1.0mm dimensions are standard across the RC industry. They function effectively on any 1:10 or 1:8 scale RC vehicle requiring precision shimming, making them universally compatible with buggies, truggies, short-course trucks, and various off-road platforms regardless of manufacturer.
- Where should I use these washers on my RC vehicle? — These washers excel in multiple applications: as rear hub spacers for wheelbase adjustment, as suspension mount shimming to adjust caster and camber geometry, in differential and CVA drivetrain positioning for precise power delivery alignment, as shock tower spacers, and anywhere else your setup requires precise spacing tolerances. Experienced tuners adjust washer thickness based on track conditions and handling characteristics they want to dial in.
- How do I know if I need to add or remove washers? — Your RC vehicle's handling characteristics provide the primary guide. If you need to increase wheelbase length or adjust suspension geometry slightly, add washers. If you need to reduce spacing or fine-tune suspension angles, remove washers. Professional setup sheets from team drivers often specify exact washer requirements for different track conditions, providing a starting point for your personal tuning process.
- Are these washers suitable for beginners? — While these are precision components, they're accessible to all skill levels. Beginners benefit from purchasing a pack to explore basic wheelbase adjustment and suspension shimming. However, the real value emerges as your driving experience progresses and you understand how micro-adjustments in geometry affect handling characteristics. Many competitive drivers continuously fine-tune washer quantities and positions throughout a race season.
- What makes blue-anodised aluminium better than other washer materials? — The blue-anodised aluminium finish provides three key advantages: superior corrosion resistance preventing rust and degradation in UK weather conditions, lightweight construction minimising unsprung mass, and excellent rigidity ensuring washers maintain precise dimensions under vibration and stress. The anodised coating is considerably more durable than bare aluminium and provides visual consistency with other premium Associated components.
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 WASHERS 7.8 x 3.5 x 1.0mm BLUE ALUMINIUM (10) AS31388 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.
- Brand: Associated
- Model Number: AS31388
- Product Type: Precision Aluminium Washers
- Pack Quantity: 10 washers
- Outer Diameter: 7.8mm
- Inner Diameter (Bore): 3.5mm
- Thickness: 1.0mm
- Material: Blue Aluminium (Anodised)
- Compatible Scales: 1:10, 1:8
- Primary Applications: Wheelbase adjustment, suspension shimming, drivetrain spacing
- Vehicle Compatibility: RC8B3 series, RC8T3 series, general 1:10 and 1:8 scale RC vehicles
- Related Washer Options: 7.8 x 3.5 x 0.5mm (AS31387), 7.8 x 3.5 x 2.0mm (AS31389)
- Suspension Adjustment Functions: Caster adjustment, camber link tuning, anti-squat geometry, rear toe-in adjustment, shock mounting height
- Finish: Blue anodised for corrosion resistance
- Typical Applications: Rear hub spacers, suspension mounts, differential positioning, CVA drivetrain shimming
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