Overview
The Associated 12mm Big Bore Front Spring in Grey (3.45 lb rate) is a precision suspension component designed for serious RC enthusiasts who demand maximum control over their off-road RC cars. This optional upgrade spring is engineered specifically for 1/10 scale Team Associated platforms equipped with the optional Big Bore Shock Set, making it an essential tuning tool for RC racers and hobbyists across the UK. Whether you're competing in off-road championships or enjoying weekend bashing sessions, this front spring delivers the handling adjustments needed to optimise your vehicle's performance across different track conditions and driving styles.
Part of Team Associated's comprehensive Big Bore spring range, the 3.45 lb grey-coded spring sits in the middle of the stiffness spectrum, offering a balanced compromise between responsiveness and traction. If you're looking to fine-tune your RC car's steering response, support characteristics, and overall traction, this spring upgrade provides a cost-effective way to achieve significant improvements without replacing entire shock assemblies. Available online and in stock at RC Model Shop, this is an ideal addition to your spare parts collection for any competitive RC car UK enthusiast.
The colour-coded system used by Team Associated makes spring identification simple and foolproof, with each stiffness rate assigned a unique colour—in this case, grey indicates the 3.45 lb rate. This standardised approach ensures you're always installing the correct spring for your setup, eliminating confusion and ensuring consistent results every time you swap springs.
Key Features
- 12mm Big Bore Diameter — Specifically designed to fit Team Associated's 12mm Big Bore Shock Set, this spring diameter ensures perfect compatibility with your shock absorbers, providing precise suspension geometry and reliable performance every single session.
- 3.45 lb Spring Rate — This medium-stiffness spring rate strikes an excellent balance for general off-road use, offering improved responsiveness compared to softer springs whilst maintaining adequate traction and chassis compliance for bumpy terrain.
- Grey Colour Code — Team Associated's colour-coded system provides instant visual identification of spring stiffness, allowing you to quickly identify and select the correct spring for your setup without needing to check part numbers constantly.
- Precision Tuning Tool — By swapping springs, you can fine-tune your vehicle's handling characteristics without investing in completely new shock assemblies, making this an affordable performance upgrade for RC car enthusiasts.
- Wide Model Compatibility — This spring works with multiple Team Associated 1/10 off-road platforms, including the RC10B4, RC10B4.1, RC10B4.2, RC10B44, RC10B44.1, RC10B44.2, RC10T4, RC10T4.1, RC10T4.2, SC10, SC10.2, and SC10GT models.
- Part of Complete Range — Team Associated offers springs from 2.85 lb (brown) through to 4.20 lb (purple), allowing you to build the perfect suspension setup by selecting multiple spring rates to experiment with different chassis characteristics.
Technical Performance
The Associated 12mm Big Bore Front Spring represents precision engineering in suspension tuning for competitive 1/10 scale off-road RC cars. At 3.45 lb per inch of compression, this spring rate is specifically calibrated to work with the optional Team Associated 12mm Big Bore Shock Set, delivering consistent, predictable handling characteristics across a wide range of track conditions. The spring's performance is intimately connected to how your RC buggy, truck, or short course vehicle responds to driver inputs—a slightly stiffer spring than the 3.30 lb white option, the grey-coded 3.45 lb spring provides noticeably reduced chassis roll compared to softer rates, which translates directly to sharper steering response and improved cornering precision. However, like all suspension tuning, there are trade-offs: whilst the stiffer rate reduces chassis roll and improves responsiveness, it also marginally decreases traction compared to softer springs, meaning you may need to find the sweet spot for your specific driving style and track surface. In bumpy conditions, softer springs absorb impacts more effectively, whereas this rate provides a good middle ground. The 3.45 lb rate is significantly less prone to bottoming out than softer options, making it suitable for more aggressive driving or higher-speed passes where you need consistent suspension support throughout your run.
Effects of Shock Spring Changes
- Softer Springs (Lower lb Rate) — Increased chassis roll, increased traction, better performance in bumpy conditions, but more likely to bottom out under hard acceleration or big jumps.
- Stiffer Springs (Higher lb Rate) — Decreased chassis roll, decreased traction, increased responsiveness for sharper steering, less likely to bottom out, better for smooth or high-speed tracks.
Recommended Vehicle Compatibility
This 12mm Big Bore front spring is intended for 1/10 scale Team Associated platforms specifically equipped with the optional Big Bore Shock Set. Suggested compatibility includes the following models: RC10B4, RC10B4.1, RC10B4.2, RC10B44, RC10B44.1, RC10B44.2, RC10T4, RC10T4.1, RC10T4.2, SC10, SC10.2, and SC10GT. Always verify your vehicle uses 12mm Big Bore shocks before purchasing, as this spring will not fit standard-sized shocks. If you're unsure whether your model is compatible, our experienced team at RC Model Shop is happy to help—simply contact us before ordering.
Complete Spring Rate Range Available
Team Associated manufactures this spring in multiple stiffness ratings, each with its own colour code for easy identification. If you want to experiment with different setups, the full range includes: ASC91325 (2.85 lb, Brown), ASC91326 (3.00 lb, Black), ASC91327 (3.15 lb, Green), ASC91328 (3.30 lb, White), ASC91329 (3.45 lb, Grey—this product), ASC91330 (3.60 lb, Blue), ASC91331 (3.75 lb, Yellow), ASC91332 (3.90 lb, Red), ASC91333 (4.05 lb, Orange), and ASC91334 (4.20 lb, Purple). Many competitive RC racers build a collection of different rates to fine-tune their setup for various track conditions.
What's in the Box
- 1x Associated 12mm Big Bore Front Spring (Grey, 3.45 lb rate)
What You Need to Complete
- Team Associated 12mm Big Bore Shock Set (required for compatibility)
- 1/10 scale Team Associated RC car model equipped with Big Bore shocks
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between the 3.45 lb grey spring and other spring rates in the Team Associated range? — The 3.45 lb rate sits in the middle of Team Associated's spring range. It's stiffer than the 3.30 lb white spring (offering decreased chassis roll and increased responsiveness) but softer than the 3.60 lb blue spring. If you find softer springs cause excessive roll and loss of precision, but stiffer springs reduce traction too much, the 3.45 lb grey is an excellent middle ground. The colour coding system makes it easy to compare: brown is softest (2.85 lb), progressing through orange (4.05 lb) and purple (4.20 lb) as the stiffest option available.
- Will this spring fit my Team Associated RC car? — This spring is specifically designed for 1/10 scale Team Associated models equipped with the optional 12mm Big Bore Shock Set. Confirmed compatible models include the RC10B4 series (B4, B4.1, B4.2), RC10B44 series (B44, B44.1, B44.2), RC10T4 series (T4, T4.1, T4.2), SC10 series (SC10, SC10.2), and SC10GT. If your vehicle has standard-sized shocks rather than Big Bore shocks, this spring will not be compatible. Check your shock specifications or contact our team if you're uncertain.
- Should I choose a stiffer or softer spring? — That depends entirely on your driving style, track conditions, and current handling characteristics. If your RC car feels too loose with excessive chassis roll and you want sharper steering response, try a stiffer spring (like this 3.45 lb rate or higher). If your car feels too stiff, bottoms out frequently, or lacks traction, experiment with softer springs (3.30 lb white or below). Many competitive racers keep multiple spring rates in their spares box and swap them between practice runs to fine-tune for different track surfaces.
- Is this suitable for beginners? — This is a spare part intended for users who already own a Team Associated 1/10 RC buggy, truck, or short course vehicle equipped with Big Bore shocks. It's not a complete vehicle and isn't suitable for beginners starting from scratch. However, if you're a beginner with an existing Team Associated vehicle and want to experiment with handling adjustments, this spring is an affordable way to do so—just ensure you understand which spring rate suits your needs, or speak to our expert team for guidance.
- What is included with this spring? — You receive one 12mm Big Bore Front Spring rated at 3.45 lb. No tools, installation guides, or additional components are included—just the spring itself. Installation is straightforward if you're familiar with suspension work, but if you need support, contact RC Model Shop and we'll be happy to offer advice.
- Can I use these springs on other brands of RC cars? — No. These springs are specifically manufactured for Team Associated's 12mm Big Bore Shock Set and the suspension geometry of Team Associated vehicles. Other brands use different shock designs and mounting systems, so cross-brand compatibility is not possible. Always verify your vehicle uses Team Associated 12mm Big Bore shocks before purchasing.
- How often should I replace my front springs? — Springs don't wear out like tyres or pads. You can safely use the same spring for years if it's not damaged. However, springs can occasionally crack or lose their characteristics if damaged in accidents or bent incorrectly during installation. If your spring is visibly damaged or your handling has changed unexpectedly, replacement might be necessary. Otherwise, springs are kept as spares to swap between different setups.
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 Team Associated, 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 12mm Big Bore Front Spring Grey 3.45lb AS91329 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.
