Team Associated B5M Build – Part 1 – Steering

Tony Phalen January 2, 2015 RC Build Blog - Team Associated B5M Build 742 Views

The Build – Part 1
We’re starting the Team Associated B5M build with the assembly of the steering. This buggy uses a dual bellcrank design similar to the older B4 series. I rolls on precision bearings and is extremely smooth.

Build Notes:
Pay close attention to the build steps and how the parts go together. There are molded flanges and ‘steps’ in some of the plastic parts that need to go a certain direction during assembly.

Start by assembling the steering rack. Press 4 bearings into the rack; 2 ont he top and 2 on the bottom. Slide a blue, 2mm washer over the 8mm ballstud and screw it into the rack. Flex an orange o-ring over both ballstuds.

Team Associated B5M Build – Part 2 – Steering — Team Associated B5M Buggy Build Step 2

Here’s a close up of the assembled rack. Note the arrow and the orientation of the rack.

Team Associated B5M Build – Part 3 – Steering — Team Associated B5M Buggy Build Step 3

Screw a 6mm ballstud into the left bellcrank arms and then, using the M3x12mm screws, attach the pair of bellcrank arms to the rack. Do not overtighten; you want the arms to swing freely without any binding.

Team Associated B5M Build – Part 4 – Steering — Team Associated B5M Buggy Build Step 4

Press the 4 bearings into the bellcrank arms; 2 on the bottom, 2 on the top. Slide the pair of M3x22mm screws through the bellcrank brace and up through the bellcrank arm bearings. Note the flange on the bellcrank brace; it should face upwards.

Team Associated B5M Build – Part 5 – Steering — Team Associated B5M Buggy Build Step 5

Screw the bellcrank assembly to the B5 top plate. Again, do not overtighten; the bellcrank system should swing freely.

Team Associated B5M Build – Part 6 – Steering — Team Associated B5M Buggy Build Step 6

Attach the B5M front chassis plate to the chassis.

Team Associated B5M Build – Part 7 – Steering — Team Associated B5M Buggy Build Step 7

Attach the B5M chassis cradle to the chassis.

Team Associated B5M Build – Part 8 – Steering — Team Associated B5M Buggy Build Step 8

The B5M comes with 2 from bulkheads; a 25° and a 30°. We’re going to build the kit with the 25° block. To make it easier to read, I took a silver Sharpie and colored the etched area. This is optional but makes it much easier to read it.

Team Associated B5M Build – Part 9 – Steering — Team Associated B5M Buggy Build Step 9

Press the 25° bulkhead onto the steering rack assembly.

Team Associated B5M Build – Part 10 – Steering — Team Associated B5M Buggy Build Step 10

Attach the assembly from Step 9 to the chassis, securing with the M3x16mm screws. You’ll be inserting the screws into the rear-most holes under the chassis.