The Build – Part 4
The Team Associated T5M comes equipped with the same stellar 4-gear transmission that you will find in the B5M. Thankfully it comes loaded with a ball diff (I’m not a gear diff fan), high-quality bearings and the A-Team’s V2 slipper clutch system.
Build Notes: Since we’ll be working with greases in this step, you’ll want to have a few clean rags handy.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 42
Let’s start by spreading a light coat of white grease onto the outdrives and setting the rings in place.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 43
Place a 5×8 bearing onto each diff half.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 44
Set the diff gear onto the ‘male’ diff half side and press it over the bearing. Squeeze some white diff grease into each of the holes in the diff gear, making sure it actually makes it INTO the holes. Pour the carbide diff balls into the gear (as shown) and carefully press each one into a hole.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 45
Pre-compress the diff spring. A couple good squeezes should do the trick.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 46
Slide a diff thrust washer over the diff screw and apply a bead of black grease to the inside of the washer.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 47
Pour the 5/64 thrust balls onto a clean paper towel. Carefully roll the diff screw assembly over the balls, letting the black grease pick the balls up.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 48
Slide the 2nd diff thrust washer into place and arrange all the balls into place. Your assembly should look like this.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 49
Slide the diff thrust screw assembly into the ‘female’ diff half and mate it to the ‘male’ diff half assembly.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 50
Drop the spring (from Step 45) and the locking t-nut into the diff half that is opposite of the diff thrust screw. Slowly tighten the screw until it has bottomed out, then back it off about 1/8 of a turn. During the tightening process, take a moment to ‘work’ the diff by rotating it a few times in each direction. This will ensure that everything seats properly.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 51
Once tightened, insert the diff screw cover into place.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 52
Grab both diff housing halves and insert the 10×15 lower bearings and 5×10 upper bearings. Press firmly to make sure they seat all the way.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 53
Assemble the 2 idler gears as shown.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 54
The assembled diff has to be inserted a certain way to ensure the screw doesn’t back out. To make it easier to see, I pulled out my trusty Sharpie and put a little-ish mark on the diff screw side. I guess a dot or something like that would have sufficed but, oh well.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 55
Insert the V2 top shaft into place, the 2 idler gears and the diff gear with the diff screw (or silver mark) facing out or away from the spur gear.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 56
Align the other gearbox half and screw together.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 57
One of the nicest changes from older vehicles is the separate motor mount plate! Attach this and the chassis brace to the gearbox.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 58
Pre-compress the slipper spring. Give it a couple good squeezes to give it a set.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 59
We’ve laid out the V2 slipper parts in order of assembly – slipper hub, slipper pad, 84T spur gear and the other slipper pad and hub. Make sure the slipper pads key to the grooves in the spur gear.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 60
Once the slipper is attached, slide the pre-compressed spring onto the shaft followed by the spring retainer and M4 locknut. The flanged end of the spring retainer should face the spring.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 61
Tighten the M4 locknut until about 1mm of shaft is sticking through it. This is a starting setting and might need adjustment during your first run.
Team Associated T5M Build – Step 62
Set the transmission assembly into the truck and attach. I found it easiest to start the 2 18mm screws to key the transmission into place, then install the 2 10mm BHCS screws up top. That made it easier to install the 4 10mm screws from the bottom.
Excellent job on the transmission. Give it a good spin to make sure everything is operating freely. Next up – the rest of the rear suspension.
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!
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Since we’ll be working with greases in this step, you’ll want to have a few clean rags handy.
