Team Associated B44.3 Build – Part 4 – Suspension

The Build – Part 4
In this step we’ll be attaching the gearboxes and suspension arms to the Team Associated B44.3 chassis.

Build Notes:
The rear bumper is pretty much for looks only. Be careful if you pick it up by this location as it will wildly flex and possibly cause you to drop the car (happened to me the first time).

The rear bulkhead controls the rear toe of the buggy. When assembling the rear suspension, you’ll need to flex the pin inward to make it fit. It’s a little awkward so my suggestion is to test fit the pin first to see what the assembly process is.

Start off this step by pressing the locknut into the front bulkhead.

Now attach the front bulkhead to the chassis.

Take your front gearbox (the one with the shorter center CVA), slide the CVA through the opening in the steering retainer column and set into place. Secure with the 2 3/8″ screws.

Slide the front arms into place and capture with the pair of hinge pins. Make sure the pins feed all the way into the back of the bulkhead. Note the orientation of the front arms.

Slide the front hinge pin brace into position and capture the hinge pins with the 2 2-56 screws.

Assemble the front shock tower as shown. It’s not directional so it doens’t matter which way you build it. Don’t forget a light dab of threadlocker on the screws.

Now attach the front tower to the chassis, shock mounts pointing towards the back of the buggy.

Flip the B44.3 over and attach the front bumper.

Press the locknut into the rear bulkhead…

…and attach it to the chassis. Slide the 5/8″ screws through the bulkhead followed by the #4 washers. Press 2 more locknuts into the rear arm mount and attach to the chassis.

Press a final locknut into the rear bulkhead and attach the rear bumper.

Take the remaining gearbox and attach it to the chassis. Make sure this gearbox has the longer center CVA than the front.

Slip the rear suspension arms into place followed by the hinge pins. You will need to flex the front of the pins towards the centerline of the chassis to make them fit; this is how the inner toe is controlled. Make sure the pins go all the way in (as shown). For some reason I found it much easier to do with the rear bumper off so if you’re having some trouble, give that a try.

Finally, capture the rear hinge pins with the 2-56 screws. If you removed the rear bumper, you can re-install that now as well.

On a final note, you might check to make sure the front and rear suspension arms move freely up and down. Great job.

Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 1 – Differentials
Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 2 – Gearboxes
Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 3 – Steering
Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 4 – Suspension
Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 5 – Center Bulkhead
Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 6 – Top Decks
Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 7 – Turnbuckles / Driveline
Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 8 – Anti-Roll Bars
Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 9 – Shocks
Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 10 – Electronics
Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 11 – Wheels, Tires and Body

Back to the Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build List