Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear 17T 48DP 1/8 Shaft AS1335

Overview

The Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear 17T 48DP with 1/8" shaft (part number AS1335) is a precision-engineered upgrade component designed for RC enthusiasts across the UK who demand reliable performance and superior build quality. This lightweight pinion gear represents a Factory Team hopup modification that transforms your RC car's drivetrain with genuine Associated quality engineering. Whether you're running an RC buggy, rock crawler, or short course truck, this 17-tooth pinion gear delivers the performance consistency that competitive RC drivers and casual bashers alike depend upon.

Built from aerospace-grade 7075-T6 aluminium and finished with a hard anodised coating, this pinion gear offers significant advantages over standard plastic alternatives commonly found in budget RC car setups. The hard anodised surface provides exceptional durability and corrosion resistance, ensuring your investment in quality RC parts delivers long-term value. For RC enthusiasts in the UK seeking to upgrade their vehicles with aftermarket components from trusted manufacturers, the Associated Factory Team pinion gear range represents an investment in proven reliability and performance enhancement. This specific 17-tooth configuration is ideal for fine-tuning your RC car's acceleration and top-end speed characteristics, making it essential for drivers who want to dial in the perfect gear ratio for their specific track or terrain conditions.

RC Model Shop stocks genuine Associated pinion gears as an authorised dealer, ensuring you receive authentic Factory Team components with full manufacturer backing. Whether you're building your first custom RC setup or maintaining a competition-grade vehicle, having quality spare pinion gears on hand is essential for seamless racing and bashing sessions without interruption.

Key Features

• 7075-T6 Aluminium Construction — Machined from aerospace-grade aluminium alloy, this material offers superior strength-to-weight ratio compared to standard pinion gears, reducing overall drivetrain mass whilst maintaining structural integrity during high-torque motor applications.
• Hard Anodised Finish — The hard anodised coating provides a protective layer that resists corrosion, wear, and oxidation, ensuring the pinion gear maintains precise tolerances and smooth meshing with your spur gear even after extended use in dusty or wet RC racing environments across the UK.
• Laser-Etched Tooth Count — Clear laser etching displays the 17-tooth specification directly on the gear, allowing instant identification during setup changes and making it easy to track which pinion you've selected for your current RC car configuration without confusion.
• Dual Set-Screw Holes — Two set-screw holes provide multiple securing options and setup flexibility, allowing you to choose the configuration that best suits your motor shaft diameter and preferred fixing method for maximum security during high-speed RC driving.
• Factory Team Hopup Specification — This is a genuine Associated Factory Team upgrade component, engineered to exact tolerances for improved performance consistency and reliability compared to standard original equipment pinion gears.
• 48DP Pitch Standard — The 48 Diametral Pitch specification ensures compatibility with standard 48DP spur gears and drivetrain components widely used across RC buggies, trucks, and competition vehicles throughout the hobby.
• 1/8" (3.2mm) Shaft Bore — The 3.2mm bore diameter is precisely engineered to fit standard 1/8" motor shafts, ensuring a secure fit and accurate mesh alignment with your RC vehicle's spur gear for optimal drivetrain efficiency.

Technical Performance

The Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear 17T represents professional-grade engineering optimised for demanding RC applications where precision and durability directly impact performance. At 17 teeth with 48DP specification, this pinion gear delivers a specific gear ratio suited to medium acceleration and balanced top-end speed characteristics—ideal for RC buggies, short course trucks, and touring cars where you need responsive acceleration without sacrificing maximum velocity. The 7075-T6 aluminium construction provides approximately 25-30% weight savings compared to standard steel pinion gears, reducing rotational mass in your drivetrain which translates to quicker throttle response and improved overall vehicle handling dynamics. The hard anodised finish adds approximately 0.025mm per side, maintaining precise tolerances whilst providing superior surface hardness that resists tooth wear even under continuous high-torque motor loads typical of brushless RC racing systems. The dual set-screw design allows you to secure this pinion gear against both axial and rotational movement, with the precision-machined bore ensuring concentricity to within 0.05mm for smooth, vibration-free operation. When paired with appropriate spur gears (typically 76-90 tooth depending on your target speed), the 17T pinion creates gear ratios suitable for 2S and 3S LiPo battery applications on 1/10 and 1/8 scale RC vehicles. The laser etching serves not only as identification but also as a quality control marker, indicating that each gear has passed Associated's precision manufacturing standards before shipment.

What's in the Box

• Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear 17T 48DP with 1/8" (3.2mm) shaft bore

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the Associated 17T pinion gear suitable for my RC buggy or short course truck? — Yes, the 17-tooth configuration is versatile across most 1/10 and 1/8 scale RC buggies, short course trucks, and touring cars. It provides a balanced gear ratio that works well with 2S and 3S LiPo batteries on brushless motor systems. However, your ideal tooth count depends on your spur gear size and intended use—contact our RC Model Shop team for recommendations based on your specific vehicle and desired performance characteristics.
• What is the difference between the 17T and other tooth counts in the Associated pinion range? — Lower tooth counts (15-17T) provide higher top speed but reduced acceleration, while higher tooth counts (20T+) deliver stronger acceleration but lower maximum speed. The 17T sits in the lower-to-middle range, making it suitable for drivers who prioritise responsiveness. Associated offers tooth counts from 15T up to 34T, allowing you to fine-tune your RC car's performance by changing just the pinion gear.
• Why choose aluminium pinion gears instead of steel or plastic? — 7075-T6 aluminium offers the best balance of light weight (important for reducing drivetrain inertia), strength (resistant to stripping teeth under load), and cost compared to steel. The hard anodised finish makes aluminium virtually as durable as steel whilst maintaining the weight advantage. Plastic gears are lighter but wear faster under high-torque brushless motor systems. For serious RC enthusiasts, Associated's aluminium pinion gears represent the sweet spot between performance and longevity.
• What is the 48DP specification and will it fit my RC car? — DP stands for Diametral Pitch, a standard measurement of gear tooth size. 48DP is the most common specification for 1/10 and 1/8 scale RC vehicles, so this pinion will work with any standard 48DP spur gear. If your RC car uses MOD 1 gears (a different pitch standard commonly found on some higher-end RC buggies), you'll need the MOD 1 version instead. Check your spur gear specification before purchasing.
• Can I use set-screws with this pinion gear and are they included? — Yes, the two set-screw holes are pre-drilled and ready for M3 or M2.5 set-screws depending on your motor shaft size. Set-screws are not included—you'll need to source these separately if you don't already have them in your RC spares box. Most RC enthusiasts keep a selection of stainless steel set-screws on hand.
• How does this pinion gear compare to the standard Associated gears? — The Factory Team version uses superior 7075-T6 aluminium (compared to standard 6061 aluminium or plastic) and features hard anodising for extended lifespan. The precision machining tolerances are tighter, resulting in smoother mesh and less drivetrain noise. If you're serious about RC performance and longevity, the Factory Team upgrade is worth the investment.
• Is this pinion gear suitable for beginners? — Yes, absolutely. The 17T pinion is an excellent choice for new RC drivers because it provides balanced performance—not too twitchy on acceleration, not underpowered either. However, beginners should ensure they understand basic RC drivetrain setup, including proper spur/pinion mesh spacing and set-screw tension. Our RC Model Shop team can provide guidance if you're unsure about installation.

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 17T 48DP 1/8"SHAFT AS1335 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.