Overview
The Team Associated FT Steel Pinion Gear 17T Mod 1 with 5mm shaft (AS81679) is a precision-engineered component designed for serious RC enthusiasts and competition drivers in the UK. This Factory Team steel pinion gear represents the gold standard in motor pinion technology, offering exceptional durability and performance consistency for high-performance RC cars. Whether you're running a competitive RC buggy or truggy setup, or you're an experienced basher looking to upgrade your drive system, this steel pinion gear delivers the reliability and precision that Team Associated is renowned for across their entire range of RC vehicles.
Steel pinion gears are essential drivetrain components in modern RC cars, and the 17-tooth configuration offers an excellent balance between acceleration and top-end performance. The Mod 1 tooth profile ensures smooth engagement with spur gears, reducing noise and wear whilst maintaining precise power transmission from your motor to the rest of your drivetrain. The 5mm motor shaft fitment makes this pinion compatible with a wide range of brushless motors commonly used in 1/10 and 1/8 scale RC vehicles throughout the UK market.
As an authorised Team Associated dealer, RC Model Shop stocks genuine Factory Team components that meet the exacting standards required by competitive RC racers and weekend enthusiasts alike. This pinion gear is part of Team Associated's comprehensive upgrade and spares catalogue, allowing you to maintain peak performance and extend the life of your RC vehicle's drivetrain.
Key Features
- 17-Tooth Precision Pinion — The 17-tooth count provides an optimal balance between acceleration and top speed, making this pinion gear ideal for both on-road racing and off-road RC buggies and trucks used throughout the UK.
- Steel Construction — Unlike plastic pinions, this Factory Team steel gear offers exceptional durability and resistance to wear, ensuring consistent performance across countless runs and eliminating the need for frequent replacements that plague budget pinion options.
- Mod 1 Tooth Profile — The Mod 1 specification ensures precise meshing with compatible spur gears, delivering smooth power delivery, reduced drivetrain noise, and minimised wear on both the pinion and spur gear throughout the life of your RC car.
- 5mm Motor Shaft Fitment — This pinion gear is designed to work with standard 5mm brushless motor shafts, the most common motor shaft diameter in modern 1/10 and 1/8 scale RC vehicles sold in the UK market.
- Factory Team Quality — Manufactured to Team Associated's exacting Factory Team standards, this component is used by competitive racers and is backed by decades of RC engineering expertise and real-world racing feedback.
- Wide Vehicle Compatibility — This pinion gear fits multiple Team Associated platforms including the RC8B3e, RC8T3e, RC8B3.1e, RC8T3.1e, RC8B3.2e, RC8T3.2e, RC8B4e, and RC8B4.1e vehicles, offering versatility across the range.
Technical Performance
The Team Associated FT Steel Pinion Gear 17T Mod 1 represents premium engineering in RC drivetrain components. Manufactured from hardened steel rather than plastic or softer materials, this pinion delivers superior performance characteristics that matter to serious RC car builders and competitors. The steel construction provides exceptional rigidity and wear resistance, ensuring that tooth profiles remain consistent and precise even after hundreds of charging cycles and countless hours of driving. The Mod 1 tooth profile is specifically engineered for smooth meshing with Team Associated spur gears, creating an optimal drivetrain system that transmits motor power efficiently whilst maintaining quiet operation and minimising unnecessary noise and vibration. At 17 teeth, this pinion strikes an excellent balance across RC applications — offering sufficient low-end torque for responsive acceleration and adequate top-speed capability without sacrificing either characteristic. The 5mm shaft diameter is the industry standard for brushless motors in 1/10 and 1/8 scale RC cars, making this component compatible with the vast majority of modern motor options available in the UK RC market. This pinion gear is essential maintenance and upgrade component for anyone running competitive or high-performance RC buggies, truggies, or off-road vehicles.
What's in the Box
- Team Associated FT Steel Pinion Gear 17T Mod 1 with 5mm shaft
Compatibility
This pinion gear is designed for use with the following Team Associated vehicle models: RC8B3e, RC8T3e, RC8B3.1e, RC8T3.1e, RC8B3.2e, RC8T3.2e, RC8B4e, RC8B4.1e, and RC8B4.1e with Gearbox Upgrade Kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between a 17-tooth and 16-tooth pinion gear for my RC car? — Pinion tooth count directly affects your RC car's performance characteristics. A 17-tooth pinion provides slightly higher top speed and lower acceleration compared to a 16-tooth option. Conversely, a 16-tooth would offer more aggressive acceleration at the expense of maximum speed. The 17-tooth is an excellent all-purpose choice for most RC applications.
- Why should I upgrade to a steel pinion from a plastic pinion? — Steel pinion gears offer dramatically longer lifespan compared to plastic alternatives. Whilst plastic pinions may be cheaper initially, they wear quickly and require frequent replacement, ultimately costing more over time. Steel pinions like this Factory Team component maintain tooth profile consistency and durability across thousands of miles of driving, making them the choice of competitive RC racers throughout the UK.
- Is the Mod 1 tooth profile important? — Yes, the Mod 1 specification is critical for optimal drivetrain performance. This tooth profile ensures precise meshing with compatible spur gears, reducing backlash, minimising noise, and extending the life of both the pinion and spur gear. Mismatched tooth profiles can result in poor power transmission and accelerated wear.
- What motor shaft sizes are compatible with this pinion? — This pinion is designed exclusively for 5mm motor shafts, which is the standard shaft diameter for brushless motors in 1/10 and 1/8 scale RC vehicles. If your motor has a different shaft diameter (such as 3.175mm or 6mm), this pinion will not be compatible.
- Is this pinion suitable for beginners? — Whilst this is a high-quality component perfect for competitive and serious enthusiast drivers, pinion gear replacement is typically a maintenance task rather than a beginner-level modification. If you're new to RC, you'll likely encounter this component during regular maintenance of your vehicle's drivetrain.
- Can I use this pinion with other RC vehicle brands? — This pinion is specifically designed for Team Associated vehicles and spur gears. Whilst the 5mm shaft may fit other motor brands, optimal performance is achieved when using genuine Team Associated components that match the exact tooth profile specifications.
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 FT STEEL PINION GEAR 17T MOD1 5MM SHAFT AS81679 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
- Model Number: AS81679
- UPC: 784695816794
- Product Type: Steel Pinion Gear
- Tooth Count: 17 teeth
- Tooth Profile: Mod 1
- Motor Shaft Fitment: 5mm
- Material: Steel
- Product Status: Active
- Compatible Vehicles: RC8B3e, RC8T3e, RC8B3.1e, RC8T3.1e, RC8B3.2e, RC8T3.2e, RC8B4e, RC8B4.1e, RC8B4.1e with Gearbox Upgrade Kit
- Manufacturer Recommended Retail Price: $16.99 USD / £17.49 GBP
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.
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- 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.