Overview
The Associated RC8B3.1/RC8B3.2 Turnbuckle Balls (AS81397) are genuine Team Associated replacement hardware designed specifically for maintaining and refreshing the steering and camber link pivots on the RC8B3.1 and RC8B3.2 1/8 buggy platforms. Whether you're a competitive racer pushing your RC buggy to its limits on the track or a weekend basher enjoying high-speed runs across varied terrain, these turnbuckle balls are an essential maintenance spare that keeps your suspension geometry crisp and predictable. As an authorised UK RC retailer, RC Model Shop stocks genuine Team Associated spares to ensure you have access to the exact replacement parts your RC car needs to perform at its best.
Over time, the turnbuckle balls on any high-performance RC buggy will experience wear through regular use. This wear manifests as increased play in the steering and camber link pivots, which directly impacts your vehicle's handling characteristics and responsiveness. By replacing tired, worn balls with fresh genuine Team Associated components, you'll restore the tight geometry and responsive feel that makes the RC8B3.1 and RC8B3.2 platforms such popular choices amongst UK RC enthusiasts. These balls are engineered to maintain consistent suspension geometry, ensuring your RC buggy maintains the exact setup you've dialled in.
Suitable for both the Team Associated RC8B3.1 and RC8B3.2 1/8 buggy platforms, this part is a handy maintenance spare for any serious RC competitor or basher looking to keep handling crisp and predictable. Maintaining worn components like turnbuckle balls is one of the most cost-effective ways to preserve your RC car's performance and extend the lifespan of your investment.
Key Features
- Genuine Team Associated Hardware — These are authentic Team Associated replacement parts manufactured to the exact same specifications as the original equipment, ensuring perfect fit and compatibility with your RC8B3.1 or RC8B3.2 buggy platform without any modification required.
- Reduces Play and Wear — Replacing worn turnbuckle balls eliminates excess play in the steering and camber link pivots, which directly translates to tighter handling, more responsive steering inputs and predictable suspension geometry that won't shift during aggressive driving.
- Maintains Suspension Geometry — Fresh turnbuckle balls ensure your carefully dialled-in suspension setup remains consistent throughout your racing season or bashing sessions, preventing the handling changes that occur when pivot points develop excessive wear.
- Improves Steering Response — By eliminating slop in the steering linkage, these replacement balls provide immediate, crisp steering feedback without any lag or unpredictability, essential for maintaining competitive lap times or enjoying smooth, controlled driving.
- Essential Maintenance Spare — Every serious RC racer and basher should keep a set of these in their spares box; turnbuckle balls are consumable items that require regular replacement as part of routine RC buggy maintenance.
- Compatible with RC8B3.1 and RC8B3.2 — Designed specifically for the Team Associated RC8B3.1 and RC8B3.2 1/8 buggy platforms, guaranteeing perfect fitment and performance on these popular competition-grade buggies.
Technical Performance
The Associated RC8B3.1/RC8B3.2 Turnbuckle Balls represent precision engineering at the component level. These small but critical parts are engineered to exacting tolerances and manufactured from durable materials designed to withstand the high stresses and constant movement that occurs in the suspension and steering linkage of an 1/8 scale competition buggy. The RC8B3.1 and RC8B3.2 platforms are renowned for their handling precision and responsive steering characteristics; this responsiveness depends entirely on tight, wear-free pivot points throughout the suspension geometry. By maintaining fresh turnbuckle balls, you preserve the exact handling characteristics that make these platforms popular choices for UK RC competitors. The engineering behind these parts reflects Team Associated's decades of experience in designing and manufacturing competition-grade RC buggies. Whether you're running your RC buggy on a tight technical track layout or fast, open terrain, fresh turnbuckle balls ensure your steering inputs are translated immediately to the wheels without any delay or unpredictable movement caused by worn pivots.
What's in the Box
- Associated RC8B3.1/RC8B3.2 Turnbuckle Balls (AS81397)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are these turnbuckle balls suitable for the RC8B3.1 and RC8B3.2? — Yes, these balls are designed specifically for both the Team Associated RC8B3.1 and RC8B3.2 1/8 buggy platforms, as confirmed by the manufacturer listing. They are genuine Team Associated replacement hardware and will fit perfectly on both models.
- How often should I replace my RC buggy's turnbuckle balls? — Turnbuckle balls are consumable wear items that should be inspected regularly and replaced when you notice increased play in your steering or suspension linkage. Competitive racers who run frequently may need to replace them every season, whilst casual bashers may get longer life depending on usage intensity.
- What is the benefit of replacing worn turnbuckle balls? — Replacing worn balls eliminates play in your steering and camber link pivots, which restores crisp steering response, maintains consistent suspension geometry, and prevents the unpredictable handling changes that occur as these components wear. This directly improves your RC buggy's performance and consistency.
- Are these genuine Team Associated parts? — Yes, these are authentic Team Associated replacement hardware designed and manufactured by the original manufacturer to exact specifications. Buying genuine parts ensures perfect compatibility and performance.
- Why is play in the turnbuckle balls a problem? — Excess play in any pivot point in your suspension or steering linkage means your steering inputs are not translated immediately to the wheels; this causes sluggish handling, unpredictable responses, and inconsistent lap times, especially critical in competitive racing where precision is essential.
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 RC8B3.1/RC8B3.2 Turnbuckle Balls AS81397 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: Team Associated
- Part Number: AS81397
- Barcode: 7846958139774
- Product Type: Turnbuckle Balls
- Compatibility: Team Associated RC8B3.1 1/8 buggy
- Compatibility: Team Associated RC8B3.2 1/8 buggy
- Function: Replacement steering and camber link pivots
- Application: Suspension geometry and steering linkage maintenance
- Category: Spares and Upgrades
- Suitable for: RC8B3 platform
- Suitable for: RC8B3.1 platform
- Suitable for: RC8B3.1E platform
- Suitable for: RC8T3.1E platform
- Suitable for: RC28 platform
- Suitable for: RC8B3.2 platform
- Suitable for: RC8B3.2E platform
- Suitable for: RC8T3.2 platform
- Suitable for: RC8T3.2E platform
We want to make sure your delivery goes smoothly, so here are some important details about our service:
- For orders above £120, we offer delivery to most mainland UK addresses. For orders under £120, we can still deliver to Northern Ireland and the outlying isles, as long as the item can be sent by Royal Mail, weighs less than 30kg, and fits within 61cm × 46cm × 46cm. Some highland and remote areas may carry an extra delivery charge as couriers often apply surcharges in these locations. If you live in one of these areas, feel free to contact us before ordering so we can confirm the delivery options and costs for you.
- Most of our products include delivery in the price. If your order is under £90, a small delivery fee will apply but do not worry this will always be clearly shown at checkout before you complete your purchase.
- Depending on what you choose at checkout, your order will usually be delivered either the next working day or within 2 working days. For next day delivery please place your order before 2:00pm. Orders are dispatched Monday to Friday only. Some items may take a little longer and if that is the case we will always show the expected delivery time on the product page.
- If your order includes items with different dispatch times we will normally wait and send everything together once all items are in stock. If one of the items is going to take a while we will give you the choice either wait for everything to arrive or let us send the available items now and deliver the rest later. It is up to you.
- We use trusted delivery partners to make sure your order gets to you safely and on time. We use DPD for next working day deliveries and Royal Mail for the 2 day option.
- As soon as your order is on its way we will send you a tracking number by email. If you provide your mobile number at checkout we will also send delivery updates straight to your phone so you can keep an eye on progress.
- If a product is marked as "Dispatched within 3 working days" delivery usually takes around 3 to 5 working days from when your order is placed.
- For customers in Inverness and other parts of the Scottish Highlands deliveries can take up to 2 working days even if you select next day delivery as couriers do not currently offer a guaranteed next day service to those areas.