Overview
The FTX Ball Bearing (4*8*3) with plastic cover is an essential replacement and upgrade component for RC enthusiasts in the UK who demand reliability and precision in their remote control vehicles. Whether you're running an FTX RC car, buggy, crawler, or other RC model, these ball bearings are critical components that ensure smooth, frictionless rotation of axles, shafts, and other rotating elements throughout your RC setup. If you're serious about maintaining your RC car UK performance and longevity, having quality replacement bearings on hand is absolutely vital for keeping your model running at peak efficiency.
Ball bearings are the unsung heroes of RC performance. They allow wheels, gears, and shafts to spin freely with minimal friction, which directly impacts your RC vehicle's speed, handling, and overall responsiveness. The FTX BALL BEARING (4*8*3) is specifically designed to be compatible with a wide range of FTX RC models, making it an indispensable spare part for anyone with an FTX vehicle collection. From ready to run RC cars to competition-grade builds, having quality bearings ensures consistent performance lap after lap and session after session. The plastic cover design provides additional protection against dirt, sand, and water ingress, which is particularly important if you're bashing your RC car outdoors or in dusty environments.
For RC enthusiasts across the UK, whether you're a weekend basher enjoying casual runs at your local RC track, a serious competitor preparing for race day, or a dedicated hobbyist constantly tuning and upgrading your fleet, the FTX Ball Bearing (4*8*3) represents excellent value for money and genuine OEM quality that you can trust. Replacing worn bearings is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to restore your RC vehicle's performance and extend its operational lifespan.
Key Features
- Metric Dimensions (4x8x3mm) — This bearing utilises standard metric sizing with a 4mm inner diameter, 8mm outer diameter, and 3mm width, making it compatible with numerous FTX RC models and many other brands' RC vehicles. The precise metric dimensions ensure a perfect fit in your RC car's bearing housings without wobble or play.
- Plastic Cover Design — The integrated plastic cover provides a protective barrier against contamination including dust, sand, dirt, and moisture that can degrade bearing performance over time. This is particularly valuable if you're running your RC car in challenging outdoor conditions or in environments where debris is unavoidable.
- Quality Ball Bearing Construction — These are genuine ball bearings featuring steel balls on hardened races, designed to support radial and axial loads while enabling smooth, low-friction rotation. This construction means your RC vehicle will respond with precision and immediacy to throttle and steering inputs.
- FTX Original Equipment — As genuine FTX component parts, these bearings are engineered to OEM specifications and quality standards, ensuring perfect compatibility with FTX RC models and matching the performance characteristics of your vehicle's original bearings.
- Essential Maintenance Component — Whether you need to replace worn bearings that have degraded from use, or you're upgrading to fresh bearings as part of a comprehensive rebuild, this is a must-have spare for any serious RC enthusiast.
- Universal Compatibility — Beyond FTX models, the standard 4x8x3mm metric sizing means these bearings can be used in numerous other RC brands and applications where this bearing size is specified.
Technical Performance
The FTX Ball Bearing (4*8*3) represents precision engineering designed specifically for the demands of RC vehicles. Ball bearings are fundamental to RC performance, as they directly influence how freely and smoothly all rotating components can turn. When bearings wear out or become contaminated, you'll notice increased drag, reduced top speed, less responsive steering, and increased power consumption from your battery or fuel tank. The plastic cover on these bearings provides meaningful protection in the real world, where RC cars are exposed to dust, sand, water, and other contaminants that can rapidly degrade bearing life. The hardened steel races and quality steel balls used in these bearings are engineered to withstand the lateral and radial forces generated during hard driving, cornering, jumping, and high-speed running. For RC cars used in serious competition or demanding recreational bashing, maintaining a supply of quality replacement bearings is fundamental to keeping your vehicles performing at their best. The metric 4x8x3mm sizing is one of the most commonly used bearing sizes across the RC industry, found in everything from 1/10th scale buggies and trucks to 1/8th scale vehicles and numerous other RC models.
What's in the Box
- 1x FTX Ball Bearing (4*8*3) with plastic cover
Frequently Asked Questions
- How often should I replace ball bearings in my RC car? — The frequency of bearing replacement depends on how intensively you use your RC vehicle. Casual weekend basher drivers might replace bearings every 6-12 months, whilst competition drivers or those running in dusty/sandy environments may need to replace them every few months. When you notice increased drag, less responsive steering, or reduced top speed, it's time to inspect and likely replace your bearings.
- Can I use these FTX ball bearings in non-FTX RC cars? — Yes, absolutely. The standard metric 4x8x3mm sizing means these bearings are compatible with many RC brands that use this bearing size. If your RC car, buggy, crawler, or truck specifies 4x8x3mm bearings, these FTX bearings will work perfectly. Always check your specific vehicle's manual or parts diagram to confirm bearing sizes before ordering.
- Why is the plastic cover important for RC bearings? — The plastic cover acts as a seal to keep contaminants like dirt, sand, and water away from the bearing surfaces. Without this protection, abrasive particles can get between the bearing balls and races, causing friction, wear, and eventual failure. If you're bashing your RC car in outdoor environments, plastic cover bearings are a smart choice.
- How many bearings do I need to order? — Most RC vehicles use multiple bearings throughout their drivetrain, suspension, and axle systems. You may need anywhere from 4 to 12+ bearings depending on your specific RC model. It's wise to order multiple bearings at once so you have spares on hand for maintenance and repairs.
- What is the difference between sealed and plastic cover bearings? — Sealed bearings (sometimes called shielded or covered) provide different levels of protection. Plastic covers offer good protection against most contaminants whilst still allowing some water drainage, making them ideal for general RC use. Fully sealed bearings provide maximum protection but can be slightly more expensive. For most RC enthusiasts in the UK, plastic cover bearings like the FTX BB010 offer the best balance of protection and cost.
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 FTX BALL BEARING (4*8*3) (PLASTIC COVER) FTX-BB010 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.
- Product Code: FTX-BB010
- Brand: FTX
- Product Type: Ball Bearing with Plastic Cover
- Inner Diameter: 4mm
- Outer Diameter: 8mm
- Width: 3mm
- Bearing Size Designation: 4x8x3 (metric)
- Cover Type: Plastic
- Bearing Type: Ball Bearing
- Construction: Steel balls on hardened steel races
- Applications: Compatible with FTX RC models and other RC vehicles using 4x8x3mm bearings
- Quantity Per Pack: Single bearing
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.