Overview
The Associated RC8B3 Pillow Ball Shim (AS81072) is an essential suspension tuning component designed for serious RC enthusiasts and competitive racers in the UK who demand precision adjustability from their RC buggies. These pillow ball shims are specifically engineered to work with the popular Associated RC8B3, RC8B3.1, and RC8B3.2 chassis platforms, offering three different thickness options in a single package. Whether you're preparing your buggy for track competition, fine-tuning your suspension geometry, or simply upgrading your RC car setup, these shims provide the precise adjustments needed to optimise your vehicle's handling characteristics and cornering performance.
As an authorised Associated dealer, RC Model Shop recognises that suspension tuning is fundamental to achieving competitive lap times and consistent performance on UK tracks. The pillow ball shim set from Associated allows you to make micro-adjustments to your suspension alignment, which directly impacts how your buggy responds to track conditions. These shims are manufactured to Associated's exacting quality standards and are recognised throughout the RC buggy racing community as genuine, reliable components that work seamlessly with the RC8B3 platform and its variants including the RC8B3e, RC8B3.1e, RC8B3.2e and compatible models.
Whether you're running your RC buggy at indoor carpet tracks, outdoor carpet venues, or asphalt circuit layouts across the UK, these pillow ball shims give you the competitive advantage through precise suspension tuning. The package includes one pair each of three different thicknesses, allowing you to experiment with different geometry settings and dial in the perfect setup for your specific driving style and track conditions.
Key Features
- Three Different Thickness Options — This package contains one pair each of three different thicknesses, enabling you to fine-tune your suspension geometry precisely and find the optimal setup for your RC8B3 buggy without needing to purchase multiple separate items.
- Genuine Associated Components — As original Associated Electrics parts manufactured to the brand's renowned quality standards, these shims ensure perfect compatibility and reliable performance with your RC8B3, RC8B3.1, or RC8B3.2 chassis.
- Enhanced Suspension Adjustability — Pillow ball shims allow you to adjust the angle and geometry of your suspension mounting points, directly affecting camber, caster, and kingpin angle to suit different track conditions and driving preferences.
- Competitive Performance Tuning — Designed for serious racers and competitive RC buggy enthusiasts in the UK, these shims are recognised as essential tools for dialling in championship-winning setups on tracks throughout the country.
- Universal Compatibility Across RC8 Series — Beyond the RC8B3 and its variants, these shims are also compatible with RC8B4, RC8B4.1, RC8T3, RC8T3.1, RC8T3.2, and RC8T4 platforms, providing versatility across the entire RC8 line.
- Lightweight Precision Engineering — The shims are engineered to maintain precise tolerances whilst keeping additional weight to an absolute minimum, ensuring they enhance your setup without negatively impacting your buggy's overall performance or handling balance.
Technical Performance
Suspension geometry is absolutely critical to RC buggy performance, and pillow ball shims are precision engineering tools that allow you to make fine adjustments to your chassis setup. By altering the thickness of shims at pillow ball mounting points on your RC8B3 chassis, you can adjust important suspension parameters including camber angle, caster angle, and kingpin angle. These geometric adjustments directly influence how your buggy's tyres contact the track surface, affecting grip levels, traction delivery, and cornering stability. For competitive RC racing on UK tracks, these micro-adjustments can make the difference between winning and losing on the stopwatch. The shims are manufactured from quality materials that withstand repeated use and the stresses of high-performance racing without deforming or losing their precise thickness tolerances. Associated's engineering ensures these components integrate perfectly with your RC8B3 pillow ball suspension system, maintaining consistent performance lap after lap without any movement, slipping, or unwanted play that could compromise your setup. Whether you're transitioning between different track surfaces (carpet to asphalt), adjusting for weather conditions, or optimising your buggy for qualifying versus main race conditions, these shims provide the adjustment range needed for competitive tuning.
What's in the Box
- 1 pair pillow ball shims (thinnest thickness)
- 1 pair pillow ball shims (medium thickness)
- 1 pair pillow ball shims (thickest thickness)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a pillow ball shim and why do I need one for my RC8B3 buggy? — Pillow ball shims are precision spacers that fit between pillow ball mounts on your suspension, allowing you to adjust the angle at which your suspension arms connect to your chassis. This changes your suspension geometry including camber and caster angles, which directly affects grip, traction, and cornering performance. For competitive RC buggy racing in the UK, these adjustments can significantly improve your lap times and handling consistency.
- Which RC models are compatible with the AS81072 shims? — These shims are specifically designed for the RC8B3, RC8B3.1, RC8B3.1e, RC8B3.2, RC8B3.2e, RC8B3e, RC8B4, RC8B4.1, RC8B4.1e, RC8B4e, RC8T3, RC8T3.1, RC8T3.1e, RC8T3.2, RC8T3.2e, RC8T3e, RC8T4, and RC8T4e models, providing excellent compatibility across the entire RC8 series platform.
- How many shims come in the AS81072 package? — The package contains 3 pairs of shims total—one pair each of three different thicknesses. This gives you flexibility to experiment with different suspension geometry settings and find the optimal setup for your specific track conditions and driving style without purchasing multiple separate packages.
- Do I need any special tools to install pillow ball shims on my RC8B3? — Installation typically requires basic RC tools such as hex wrenches and possibly a small screwdriver, but you should consult your RC8B3 manual for specific installation instructions. Most experienced RC enthusiasts in the UK can install these shims themselves, though your local RC Model Shop team can provide advice if needed.
- What is the difference between different thickness shims? — Each thickness option adjusts your suspension geometry by a different amount. The three included thicknesses allow you to fine-tune your suspension alignment in incremental steps, enabling you to dial in the perfect geometry for your specific track surface, weather conditions, and driving preferences without needing to source alternative components.
- Are these genuine Associated parts? — Yes, the AS81072 is the official part number from Associated Electrics and these are genuine OEM components manufactured to Associated's quality standards, ensuring perfect fit and compatibility with your RC8B3 chassis.
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/RC8B3.1/RC8B3.2 PILLOW BALL SHIM AS81072 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 Electrics
- Part Number: AS81072
- UPC: 784695810723
- Package Quantity: 3 pairs (1 pair each of 3 different thicknesses)
- Pillow Ball Shim Quantity: 3 pairs total
- Compatibility: RC8B3, RC8B3.1, RC8B3.1e, RC8B3.2, RC8B3.2e, RC8B3e, RC8B4, RC8B4.1, RC8B4.1e, RC8B4e, RC8T3, RC8T3.1, RC8T3.1e, RC8T3.2, RC8T3.2e, RC8T3e, RC8T4, RC8T4e
- Application: Suspension geometry tuning and adjustment
- Function: Suspension pillow ball shims for adjusting camber, caster and kingpin angles
- Thickness Options: Three different thicknesses included (1 pair each)
- Material: Precision engineered for RC racing applications
- Intended Use: Competitive RC buggy racing and suspension setup tuning
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.
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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.
