Team Associated T5M Build – Part 3 – Rear Suspension Part 1
The Build – Part 3 The rear suspension on the Team Associated T5M is similar to the B5M and even includes a cool blue aluminum inner camber ballstud mount. This mount is reversible to allow different tuning and is a solid mounting point for the heavy duty ballstuds. AE has broken the rear build into 2 different parts, separating the build by the assembly of the transmission. So, this is Part 1 of the rear suspension build.
Build Notes: When you get to the aluminum rear ballstud mount, make sure you build it with the -2mm side up.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 31 The T5M comes with 3 different C arm mounts; a 3+2, 3+1 and 2.5+2. These setting coincide with rear Toe and Anti-Squat, ie, a 3+2 is 3° of rear Toe (in) and 2° of Anti-Squat. We’ll be using the 3+1 per the manual. You can read more about Toe and Anti-Squat on our RC Tuning Guide page.Team Associated T5M Build – Step 32 Attach the 3+1 C arm mount to the chassis.Team Associated T5M Build – Step 33 Unlike the front, the rear suspension arms are not interchangeable. You’ll see from the picture that the lower shock mount holes predict which side of the car they mount to. The one on the left is for the left side of the T5M, the one on the right for the right side.Team Associated T5M Build – Step 34 Insert the long hinge pin into the C arm mount. Slide a rear arm spacer into place followed by the suspension arm. Note the orientation of the arms.Team Associated T5M Build – Step 35 Slip the D arm mount into position. You may need to flex the hinge pins slighly to get the arm mount to fit.Team Associated T5M Build – Step 36 Assemble the upper shock mounts to the tower using the middle hole. Note the orientation of the tower.Team Associated T5M Build – Step 37 Attach the rear body mounts to the tower.Team Associated T5M Build – Step 38 Assemble the rear camber link mount by installing the heavy duty ballstuds into the inner hole. Make sure you include a 1mm and 2mm washer.Team Associated T5M Build – Step 39 Attach the assembled rear camber link mount to the shock tower. A light dab of threadlocker is suggested here.Team Associated T5M Build – Step 40 Slip the rear bumper inbetween the chassis and D arm mount.Team Associated T5M Build – Step 41 Slide the 18mm screws up through the chassis, bumper and D arm mount and use to secure the rear shock tower in place. Do this slowly to make sure the rear tower sets perpendicular to the chassis.
It’s starting to look like a truck now, right? Great job. Let’s get crackin’ on the transmission.
Tony Phalen - As an avid RC enthusiast, Tony has been building, bashing and racing RC Cars for over 30 years. He has participated in every kind of surface racing events - 1/18 scale trucks, 1/10 scale TC, Rock Racers, Rally - if it had wheels, he's raced it! He's also worked on both sides of the industry fence; collaborating with many major manufacturers (as well as being a sponsored driver) to working for a high-profile industry magazine. During this time he has learned many tricks, tips and techniques and is sharing that knowledge on CompetitionX - the most informative RC website on the internet!
