Team Associated B6 Caged Thrust Bearing Set for Ball Differential AS91990

Overview

The Team Associated AS91990 B6 Caged Thrust Bearing Set is a precision-engineered upgrade designed specifically for ball differentials used in Team Associated RC buggies and competition vehicles. Whether you're a serious RC racer in the UK competing at regional or national level, or an enthusiast looking to optimise your RC car's performance, this component represents a significant step forward in differential technology. The caged thrust bearing system simplifies assembly whilst simultaneously improving the consistency and smoothness of your differential's operation, making it an essential upgrade for anyone seeking to extract maximum performance from their RC buggy.

This innovative bearing set is a direct, bolt-on replacement for older thrust washer and loose ball systems, meaning you can upgrade your existing ball differential without requiring complete reassembly or specialist tools. The engineering behind this upgrade focuses on reducing friction, improving load distribution, and ensuring predictable handling characteristics that serious RC competitors demand. If you own any model in the Team Associated B6 series—whether that's a B6D, B6.1D, B6.2D, or B6.3D—this is the upgrade that will transform how your differential performs on the track or off-road course.

Designed and manufactured by Team Associated, a brand with decades of heritage in RC racing, the AS91990 caged thrust bearing set represents the latest evolution in differential technology. It's the kind of upgrade that separates competitive setups from standard builds, and it's now available here at RC Model Shop, your trusted UK RC retailer.

Key Features

• Caged Thrust Bearing Design — The revolutionary caged bearing system automatically spaces the thrust balls with precision, ensuring equal loading across all balls and eliminating the inconsistency that comes with loose ball setups; this delivers significantly more predictable handling and smoother power delivery from your RC car.
• Two V-Grooved Thrust Rings — The thrust balls run on precision-machined V-grooved thrust rings that are engineered to minimise friction and drag; this allows your differential to spin more freely, reducing power loss and enabling your RC buggy to maintain momentum through corners and transitions.
• Simplified Assembly — Gone are the days of carefully counting and spacing individual ball bearings during maintenance; the caged design means assembly is quicker, more reliable, and accessible even to modellers who aren't experienced with differential rebuilding, making maintenance easier and more consistent.
• Direct Replacement Compatibility — The AS91990 is a direct replacement for the older #6573 diff thrust washers and AS6574 5/64-inch balls, meaning you can upgrade your existing differential without modification or additional components; this makes it an affordable way to modernise your setup.
• Broad Model Compatibility — This bearing set fits the entire range of Team Associated B6 series buggies including the RC10B6D, RC10B6.1D, RC10B6.2D, and RC10B6.3D, making it a versatile upgrade for a wide range of RC cars available in the UK market; it's also compatible with older ball differential models, extending its utility across a range of platforms.
• Precision Engineering — Every component is manufactured to Team Associated's exacting standards, ensuring that the bearing set performs consistently across different track conditions, ambient temperatures, and driving styles; this level of quality is what you'd expect from a brand that competes at the highest levels of RC racing worldwide.

Technical Performance

The AS91990 caged thrust bearing set represents a significant engineering advancement in differential technology for RC cars. At its core, the system replaces traditional loose ball bearings and flat thrust washers with a precision-caged bearing assembly that automatically maintains optimal spacing and alignment. The two V-grooved thrust rings are engineered from hardened steel and are precisely machined to exacting tolerances, creating a rolling surface that minimises friction and drag compared to earlier designs. This matters because even small reductions in differential drag translate directly to improved acceleration, better mid-corner speed maintenance, and more responsive handling characteristics. The caged design ensures that thrust ball spacing remains consistent regardless of how many assembly and disassembly cycles your differential undergoes, meaning performance doesn't degrade with maintenance. The equal loading across all balls—achieved through the automatic spacing provided by the cage—distributes forces more evenly, reducing peak stress on individual bearings and extending component lifespan. For RC racers in the UK competing in indoor carpet tracks, outdoor clay circuits, or asphalt facilities, this improved consistency in differential behaviour translates to more predictable lap times and better repeatability across multiple heats. The bearing set has been tested extensively by Team Associated's engineering team and approved for use across all B6 series vehicles, confirming its reliability and performance benefits across different driving styles and conditions.

What's in the Box

• One caged thrust bearing assembly with integrated cage and precision-spaced thrust balls
• Two V-grooved thrust rings (hardened steel)
• Installation and fitment instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the Team Associated AS91990 caged thrust bearing set compatible with my RC buggy? — The AS91990 is designed as a direct fit for all Team Associated B6 series differentials, including the RC10B6D, RC10B6.1D, RC10B6.2D, and RC10B6.3D models. It's also compatible with older ball differential designs used in earlier Team Associated RC cars. If your RC buggy features a Team Associated ball differential, this upgrade will fit. If you're unsure whether your specific model is compatible, our team at RC Model Shop is happy to help—just get in touch with us.
• What are the main advantages of upgrading from loose ball bearings to this caged system? — The caged design offers several key advantages: automatic and consistent ball spacing means you don't have to carefully count and position individual bearings during assembly; equal loading across all balls reduces stress on individual components and extends their lifespan; the V-grooved thrust rings minimise friction compared to flat thrust washers, reducing drag and improving differential efficiency; and most importantly, the system maintains consistent performance across multiple assembly cycles, meaning your differential behaves the same whether it's freshly built or after several rebuild cycles during the season.
• Will installing the AS91990 improve my lap times? — Yes, in measurable ways. By reducing differential drag and ensuring more consistent performance, you'll notice smoother acceleration out of corners, better mid-corner speed maintenance, and more predictable handling characteristics. These gains are particularly noticeable on tracks where mid-corner speed is critical, such as tight indoor carpet tracks or technical outdoor courses. Competitive racers typically report lap time improvements of 0.2 to 0.5 seconds per lap, depending on track layout and driving style.
• How difficult is installation of the caged thrust bearing set? — Installation is straightforward and requires only basic tools. The caged bearing assembly is a direct replacement for the older #6573 thrust washers and AS6574 5/64-inch balls, meaning you simply remove the old components and install the new unit in their place. The process takes approximately 10-15 minutes and doesn't require any special knowledge or experience. Team Associated supplies clear instructions with each kit, and our experienced team at RC Model Shop can provide guidance if needed.
• Can I use this bearing set if I don't race competitively? — Absolutely. Whilst competitive racers will appreciate the lap time improvements and consistency benefits, recreational drivers and bashers will enjoy smoother differential action and reduced maintenance requirements. The caged bearing system is simply a better design than loose balls, regardless of your skill level or intended use. Whether you're running indoor carpet tracks, outdoor dirt courses, or bashing around the garden, this upgrade will improve your RC car's performance and handling.
• What's the difference between the AS91990 and the complete differential kits? — Team Associated also offers the AS91991 (ball differential rebuild kit with caged thrust bearing) and the AS91992 (complete ball differential kit with caged thrust bearing). The AS91990 you're looking at is the bearing set only, which is ideal if you already have a compatible differential housing and just want to upgrade the thrust bearing system. The AS91991 is a complete rebuild kit designed to upgrade an existing differential, whilst the AS91992 is a brand-new complete ball differential assembly. Choose based on what components you already have and what you need to replace.

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 TEAM ASSOCIATED B6 CAGED THRUST BEARING SET - BALL DIFF AS91990 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.