Adjusting the suspension on your RC car is one of the most effective ways to improve its performance, handling, and durability. Whether you’re fine-tuning for a specific terrain or upgrading from basic components, understanding how to adjust and upgrade your suspension can make a big difference.
Why Suspension Matters
The suspension system in your RC car is critical for maintaining traction, absorbing shocks, and ensuring stability on various terrains. Properly adjusted suspension improves cornering, minimizes bounce, and enhances overall control, making it essential for both beginners and experienced hobbyists.
Step-by-Step Guide to Adjusting Your RC Car’s Suspension
1. Check Your Current Suspension Setup
- Inspect the shocks, springs, and mounting points to understand your car’s factory settings.
- Determine whether your car uses basic friction shocks or oil-filled shocks (also called dampers).
2. Adjust Shock Positions
Most RC cars have multiple mounting holes on the shock towers and suspension arms. Changing the mounting position affects the car’s ride height and handling:
- Outer Mounting Holes: Lower ride height, better stability for high-speed tracks.
- Inner Mounting Holes: Higher ride height, better for off-road and uneven terrains.
3. Tweak Spring Tension
Adjust the preload on the springs using clips or threaded collars on the shock body:
- More Preload: Increases stiffness, reduces body roll, and improves performance on smooth tracks.
- Less Preload: Softer suspension, better for rough terrains and absorbing jumps.
4. Upgrade to Oil-Filled Shocks
If your RC car comes with basic friction shocks, upgrading to oil-filled shocks is one of the cheapest and best upgrades you can make. Oil-filled shocks provide superior damping, smoother motion, and better durability compared to friction shocks, which tend to bounce and wear out quickly.
At radio-controlled.co.uk, we offer a range of oil shock upgrade kits tailored for various RC models. These kits are affordable and easy to install, making them a great choice for anyone looking to improve their car’s suspension without breaking the bank.
5. Choose the Right Oil Viscosity
Oil-filled shocks allow you to adjust damping by changing the oil viscosity:
- Thicker Oil: Slower shock movement, better for smooth tracks and stability.
- Thinner Oil: Faster shock movement, ideal for bumpy terrains and jumps.
Tips for Optimizing Suspension Performance
- Match Your Terrain: Adjust the suspension based on whether you’re driving on-road, off-road, or mixed terrain.
- Balance Left and Right: Ensure the suspension is evenly adjusted on both sides to avoid uneven handling.
- Inspect Regularly: Check for leaks in oil shocks and wear on springs to maintain peak performance.
Why Upgrade to Oil-Filled Shocks?
Upgrading from cheap friction shocks to oil-filled shocks is not only affordable but also drastically improves your RC car’s handling. Here’s why it’s worth it:
- Improved Stability: Oil-filled shocks absorb impacts more effectively, reducing bounce and improving traction.
- Better Durability: Friction shocks wear out quickly, whereas oil shocks are built to last longer.
- Customizable Performance: You can fine-tune oil-filled shocks by adjusting oil viscosity and spring tension.
At radio-controlled.co.uk, we stock high-quality oil shock upgrade kits that fit most RC cars. These kits are designed to be compatible with popular models and are an excellent value for anyone looking to enhance their car’s performance.
Conclusion
Adjusting and upgrading your RC car’s suspension can significantly enhance its performance and adaptability. Whether you’re fine-tuning the setup for a specific track or upgrading to oil-filled shocks for better damping, these changes are straightforward and impactful. Visit radio-controlled.co.uk to explore our range of suspension upgrade kits and take your RC car to the next level.