Overview
The Associated 12mm Big Bore Spring 72mm 2.60Lb (AS91641) is a genuine replacement shock spring engineered for precision suspension tuning in competitive RC car racing and serious hobbyist applications. This is not a complete shock absorber, but rather a replacement spring component designed specifically for 12mm big bore shock applications found on modern Associated RC models. Whether you are fine-tuning your RC10T5M, RC10T4.2, or RC10SC5M for track performance or adjusting your setup for different racing conditions, this spring offers the reliability and consistency that Associated is recognised for across the RC car UK market. For anyone serious about their RC hobby, understanding suspension geometry and spring rates is crucial to achieving optimal handling characteristics and competitive performance.
Shock springs are one of the most important suspension components in any RC vehicle, directly influencing how your chassis responds to bumps, jumps, and cornering forces. The 2.60 lb spring rate on this component provides moderate resistance, making it suitable for a variety of track conditions and driving styles. Whether you compete in short course racing, off-road buggies, or general RC car driving, having the correct spring rate installed is fundamental to extracting maximum performance from your vehicle. This genuine Associated part ensures perfect fitment and consistent performance across multiple models and generations of their popular RC platforms.
RC Model Shop stocks genuine Associated spare parts and upgrades for serious enthusiasts across the UK. This replacement spring is available at competitive pricing with fast shipping, making it easy to maintain your fleet of RC vehicles or experiment with different suspension setups without breaking the bank. If you are building or upgrading your RC car setup, ordering from an authorised UK retailer ensures you receive authentic parts with manufacturer backing.
Key Features
- 12mm Big Bore Shock Compatible — This spring is specifically designed for 12mm big bore shock applications, ensuring precise fitment and reliable performance on compatible Associated RC vehicles. Big bore shocks offer superior damping and stability compared to smaller shock designs, and using the correct spring rate maximises these benefits.
- 72mm Length — The 72mm measurement refers to the free length of the spring when uncompressed. This dimension is critical for proper shock geometry and must match your vehicle's specifications exactly. Using an incorrectly sized spring can affect suspension travel, handling balance, and overall performance.
- 2.60 lb Spring Rate — The pound force rating indicates how much force is required to compress the spring by one inch. A 2.60 lb rate provides moderate stiffness suitable for various track conditions, offering a good balance between compliance over small bumps and support during aggressive cornering and acceleration.
- Genuine Associated Component — Sourced directly from Team Associated, this is an authentic OEM part manufactured to the exact specifications required by Associated RC models. Genuine parts guarantee compatibility, consistent performance, and reliability that aftermarket alternatives cannot match.
- Vehicle Specific Compatibility — This spring is confirmed compatible with the RC10SC5M short course truck, RC10T4.2 touring car, and RC10T5M touring platform, making it an essential spare for owners of these popular models. Always refer to your specific vehicle manual to confirm spring choice and setup recommendations for your exact platform.
- Suspension Tuning Tool — Having multiple spring rates available allows you to dial in your vehicle's suspension precisely for different driving conditions, track layouts, and personal driving preferences. This makes spring selection one of the most cost-effective performance tuning options available to RC enthusiasts in the UK.
Technical Performance
The Associated 12mm Big Bore Spring 72mm 2.60Lb (AS91641) is engineered using high-quality steel with precise manufacturing tolerances to ensure consistency across multiple units. Associated's reputation in RC racing is built on attention to detail in components like this, where minute variations in spring rate can affect lap times and vehicle handling. The 2.60 lb rating places this spring in the medium range of typical shock spring options, making it versatile across different driving conditions and skill levels. This spring works in conjunction with shock fluid (damper oil) to control chassis movement during acceleration, braking, and cornering. The combination of spring rate and damper oil viscosity creates the complete suspension system behaviour. For competitive racing applications, many drivers experiment with different spring rates to find the sweet spot for their particular track and driving style. The 72mm length is standard for many modern Associated platforms, ensuring this part has broad compatibility within the Associated product range. Quality construction means the spring will maintain its rate over many hours of use without significant degradation, though springs do eventually fatigue and may need replacement after extensive racing or bashing. Keeping spare springs on hand allows quick setup changes between practice sessions or race heats without waiting for parts to arrive, which is why this is an essential item for serious RC car enthusiasts across the UK.
What's in the Box
- One Associated 12mm Big Bore Shock Spring, 72mm length, 2.60 lb rate
What You Need to Complete
- Compatible RC vehicle with 12mm big bore shocks (RC10SC5M, RC10T4.2, RC10T5M, or other compatible Associated models)
- Shock absorber assembly to install spring into
- Basic tools for shock maintenance and spring installation
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the 2.60 lb spring rate mean? — The pound rating indicates that 2.60 pounds of force is required to compress this spring by one inch. A lower number means a softer, more compliant spring, whilst a higher number means a stiffer, less compliant spring. The 2.60 lb rate is considered medium stiffness and suits a wide variety of racing conditions and driver preferences.
- Is this spring suitable for beginners? — Yes, the 2.60 lb rate is considered a versatile middle ground that works well for drivers of all skill levels. Beginners should refer to their vehicle's manual for recommended spring rates, as the factory recommendation is typically a good starting point before experimenting with softer or stiffer options.
- How often do I need to replace shock springs? — Shock springs can last for many hours of RC use, but they do gradually fatigue over time. Signs of wear include loss of spring rate, reduced shock responsiveness, or visible damage. Serious racers often replace springs regularly as part of maintenance, whilst casual drivers may only replace them when performance noticeably degrades.
- Can I use this spring on models other than RC10SC5M, RC10T4.2, and RC10T5M? — This spring is specifically designed for 12mm big bore shocks. Other Associated models may use different shock sizes (10mm standard bore, for example) or different spring lengths. Always consult your vehicle manual to confirm compatibility before purchasing, as using the wrong spring can damage your shocks or affect suspension geometry.
- What is the difference between spring rate and damping? — Spring rate controls how easily the shock compresses under load, whilst damping (controlled by shock fluid viscosity) controls how quickly the shock extends back. Both work together to create your vehicle's complete suspension behaviour. Changing spring rate alone will change how your car handles bumps and weight transfer during driving.
- How do I know if I need a softer or stiffer spring? — If your car feels unstable or wallows during cornering, you may need a stiffer spring. If your car is too stiff and harshly rides bumps, you may need a softer spring. Most drivers keep several spring rates available to experiment with different setups at different tracks or weather conditions.
- Is this an OEM or aftermarket part? — This is a genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) part sourced directly from Team Associated. It is not a third-party aftermarket alternative, ensuring exact fitment and reliable performance.
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 12mm Big Bore Spring 72mm 2.60Lb AS91641 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: Associated
- Part Number: AS91641
- Barcode: 784695916418
- Shock Type: 12mm Big Bore
- Spring Length: 72mm
- Spring Rate: 2.60 lb
- Compatible Models: RC10SC5M, RC10T4.2, RC10T5M
- Compatible Vehicle Categories: Short Course Truck, Touring Car
- Product Type: Replacement Shock Spring Component
- Quantity: 1 spring per package
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.
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- 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.