Weak A5 Part Mod for Tamiya Terra Scorcher / Thunder Shot Chassis - A5 Solution!

[@rccrawler70]

Very good Video. Thanks for sharing. Greetings from Indianapolis IN.

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks and welcome my friend! Greetings from England! :)

[@ShenRC]

Mark That was awesome and it should work much better now! That's a upgrade tamiya should have did with this model...but they never upgrade the re releases like kyosho that makes there classics with good improvements to them when they re release them.

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hi Steve - good point, buddy - I wish Tamiya would take a leaf out of Kyosho's book - they really should have fixed this problem by now, as you say, especially for a re-release! Thanks for the kind words my friend - take it easy! :)

[@VoidXRC]

Awesome Mark great solution

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks very much, Michael. Something needed to be done, and needs must! All the best mate! :)

[@AdventureTimeRC]

Nice work Mark great solution to the problem I have a 3d printer I printed my A5 and its holding good a bit thicker and different plastic and cheep to replace excellent video my friend have a great weekend 💯🤘🏻👊😀

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hiya Brent! Glad you liked my solution - cool that you have a 3D printer, it must come in handy! Your solution is probably better, you should sell those printed A5 parts my friend! Thanks for the great comment and I wish you a great weekend too! :)

[@MikeTheBike58]

Sell them and make some money.

[@MarkBryanRC]

@@MikeTheBike58 Good idea! :)

[@NSRBOY250]

Nice going mark your very talented 👍👍👍👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thank you so much Kirkster - much appreciated my friend 😀

[@NSRBOY250]

Mark Bryan RC your more then welcome mark

[@fonswalma3574]

Good upgrade mark👍👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks Fons! Always good to see you here, and much appreciated 👍

[@bruntfca.7808]

Another simple yet effective solution. Looks good too, you're a genius!

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thank you very much! I just had to strengthen it in some way before running it, just in case! Cheers for your kind words. :)

[@bruntfca.7808]

@@MarkBryanRC I've been a subscriber for a while now and since getting back into rc (tamiya in particular) I've had so much help and guidance from yourself and Rob I can't thank you enough. Although I don't have a terra scorcher this is another in a line of elegant fixes for tamiya's quirks.

[@MarkBryanRC]

@@bruntfca.7808 Thank you again! It's great to know that our videos are of some help, it really makes it worthwhile making them, and thank you so much for your subscription and support, very much appreciated my friend. :)

[@svenmaier2402]

@@MarkBryanRC Indeed your should produce and sell your own Hop-Up parts. Great solution!

[@RcNickster709]

Well bud. It will definitely make it stronger. I think it would be very wise for people new to this build and watching this video to take this advice from someone who knows the probable outcome of this part. It will make a big difference. Nice work adding this to the build. Thumbs up

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hi Nick - Thanks for the kind words my friend. Yeah, I hope this little mod will do the trick, and it's a lot neater than the one I made years ago - gonna have to re-do that one! All the best! :)

[@RCHobbyShed]

Good stuff. It's good to see people making their own parts. 👌👍

[@paulgarwood192]

Yeah you’re pretty handy in this department!👍🤓🇦🇺

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks mate! Yeah, I really enjoy making custom parts, it's very satisfying and can save a lot of cash, can't it? Paul says you're good in this department, I must take a look! Take it easy my friend! :)

[@RCHobbyShed]

@@MarkBryanRC I hear ya, yes it is very satisfying and it can save you a lot of cash especially in this case where that A5 part might break often, that would add up over time. I've made a few parts here and there, I like to (attempt to at least) have my own custom parts on some of my RC's whether it's for show or function, no fancy lathe or CNC machine though. Maybe Santa will bring me those. lol. Stay safe mate, cheers! 👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Same here mate, only using hand tools and a little brain power! Oh, a little lathe or milling machine would be awesome! Hope you are staying safe in these mad times too, cheers to you!

[@RCHobbyShed]

@@MarkBryanRC Awesome, good ol' hand tools and elbow grease! Oh yeah a nice little (fully decked out) machine shop would be great, we just need to win the lotto. lol. Stay safe mate!

[@Del350K4]

What a posh finish you put on your ingenious ally bracket! It looks like proper black crinkle-coating. Frankly, I think the finished result looks cooler than the stock setup. Tamiya do supply nice fastenings, a case in point being the nut you fitted at the very end of this video. I do love to see a well.defined flange : )

[@MarkBryanRC]

Oh Del - you crack me up, mate! Yeah, that crinkle finish was on one side of the piece of scrap ally I found in the shed, looks cool with the matt black I sprayed over it. I think the finished mod will look passable on the buggy in the end. As for the fastenings, yes they are very nice, especially the ones with a neat flange! :D

[@Del350K4]

@@MarkBryanRC : )

[@HaydadRC]

Yet another brilliant Mark Bryan fabrication tip! Great use of the resources you have my friend!👍😊

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks Jeremy! 👍 Well, in this lockdown, it's needs must - parts are becoming more difficult to find in stock. Thanks for always leaving a great comment, I hope you are enjoying a good weekend my friend! :)

[@TonysRcTechboom]

Mark you are truly amazing Mate. It actually looks factory Made. Good thinking on the Mod. You dont want it breaking on the First Run 👍Can't wait to see the Next Build Video Brother. 🤗 always enjoy listening to you mate.👍 well I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this video as always, Keep safe and well my friend for Life 👍😍👍😎👍😍👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks Tony! Yeah, glad I did it as it's less to worry about on the first run, I think the extra strength should do the trick 👍 It's great to know someone actually watches the whole video, as you know, our stats always show otherwise! Hope all is good with you too, mate - keep safe and keep smiling my brotha! :)

[@Remoteaddicted]

Very nice idea and cool mod! It's a typical Tamiya issue with their suspension mounts. There are many Tamiya RC's out there where a strengthening of the suspension arm would help. Have a fantastic week buddy! 👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks Charlie 👍 Yeah, Tamiya should really get their act sorted on some of these well known weak parts, it's been years! Always great to hear from you my friend, I hope all is good with you. :)

[@paulgarwood192]

Saw an upload where someone used shock shafts just like you have. They had ordered them specifically and they fit perfect. But nice use of what you had available! It’s a shame that Tamiya haven’t done the same for a well known problem. I laughed when I first heard of the A5 problem or fault. Then when I watched further it was true. 👍🤓🇦🇺

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hi Paul! Thanks for the great comment my friend. Yeah, I know the TL-01 Steel Shaft set (#53301) has the right sized shafts, but they are all out of stock. Plus, I don't think those parts are long enough to enable a strengthening plate to be added, which I think is really necessary. Anyway, I hope my mod holds out or I will be crying when the A-arms are hanging off! All the best, take it easy mate! :)

[@paulgarwood192]

Mark Bryan RC there’s no problem with your work around! 👍🤓🇦🇺 problem solving 101!

[@MarkBryanRC]

Cheers bro - in these strange times it seems we have to work more with what we have - I hope we get back to normal soon, or we will be fixing problems with sticks and stones! :))

[@paulgarwood192]

Mark Bryan RC an old Ozzie country saying. There isn’t anything you can’t fix with wire, chewing gum and some electrical tape. Those farmers can make do out of anything.

[@MarkBryanRC]

Love that saying, Paul! :) These days, for running repairs in the field on an RC, I find a roll of duct tape and some zip ties essential!

[@markhollinshead5795]

ive just followed in your foot steps brilliant solution thanks

[@MarkBryanRC]

Fantastic! I'm pleased you liked the solution, Mark - hope you get on well with it, getting the holes in the plate to line up is a bit tricky, but you can always widen the middle holes a little (not the outside holes though!) and this helps. Good luck! :)

[@stuartthorn3995]

Great video. Thanks for sharing your idea

[@MarkBryanRC]

Glad it was helpful, Stuart! Hopefully the mod will make a big difference when the inevitable crashes happen! All the very best from Mark... :)

[@yellomello71]

Genious, perfectly engineered. Great job Mark

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks very much, it's really appreciated 😊

[@NordicRC]

Brilliant, Mark! You always have a solution. And yeah, looks very cool too. Fallen behind with this build, but I am catching up and enjoying it.

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks, Mikael - I appreciate you following these long videos (and this extract from a much longer video!) I hope this mod holds out, but something needed to be done before the first run and inevitable crash! Take it easy my friend. :)

[@RCACTIONAUSTRALIA]

Nice 😎👍🏻 I used TL01 Stainless Pins and C- Clips. It’s the Screw pin that stresses and Splits the A5

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks mate! Yeah, I tried to source the TL01 pins but out of stock everywhere (I think it's because so many are upgrading this kit!) So I had to go with what I had. Better than stock though I think! All the best mate! :)

[@jdpaslRC]

Awesome build bro!

[@MarkBryanRC]

I'm glad you liked it JD! Looking forward to running this one. Hope all is good with you my friend! :)

[@rccrawlersmid-wales645]

Tidy-looking solution there, great work! 👍😀

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks Steve! 👍 Well I think it should do the job! Working on the body at the moment - it's like going back to the 80's building this kit! All the best mate. :)

[@PeteWylieRC]

Ooh a cunning plan my lord! You say it's Heath Robinson but actually it looks very professional especially with the blue spacers. Should do the job I'd have thought. Anyway how goes things with you? Hope all is well. You know I was convinced that it was Saturday today. All the days merge into one. Anyway being a Friday, the brewery have just dropped of a 10 litre container of beer so hoorah! A bit early yet mind you. I'll give it an hour! Cheers mate :-)

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thank you, Baldrick! Well I had to do something, mate! It was the first thing to go on the Thunder Dragon, such a crap design, can't believe they haven't sorted it for the re-re. Thanks for the kind words, I am pretty pleased with it really, just hope it holds out. I know what you mean about the days merging - what day is it again? Oh - beer delivery - bloody marvellous, as usual you must have a couple for me, at least. All good mate, still building, filming, editing, eating and drinking through each merged day. I must be an alcoholic by now! Is it beer o'clock yet? Cheers! :))

[@PeteWylieRC]

@@MarkBryanRC Its always beer o'clock during lockdown 😂🍺🍺🍺 Hey I had an email from work saying that they are opening the workshops for business from 11th of May. Not sure if it involves me yet. I hope not as I've got plenty of hobby stuff to be getting on with 😀

[@MarkBryanRC]

@@PeteWylieRC Haha! Yeah I know exactly what you mean, I could keep up this staying off work malarkey indefinitely! :))

[@PeteWylieRC]

@@MarkBryanRC actually I've just heard back from HR and it's only a skeleton staff going back on the 11th and I'm not one of the skeletons. I'll be the opposite of a skeleton if I carry on drinking beer and eating crisps at this rate! You might see me on an episode of 'My 600lb Life' having a gastric band fitted 😂

[@patricksadler3587]

Good fix 👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks very much, Patrick - appreciated! :)

[@ronniecreason7870]

Nice job 👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks Ronnie! 👍

[@homeworkpictureshq]

Same problem with my terra scorcher.. thanks for sharing how to fix the issue

[@MarkBryanRC]

No problem my friend! This weak spot needs fixing if you are going to run this car hard! 👍

[@ericwood2790]

I’m a little late , but that was a really nice mod . Great job !

[@MarkBryanRC]

No worries, Eric! I'm just glad you watched, and even better, left a nice comment - thank you! :O)

[@RoosterRC]

Great idea Mark, thx for sharing!

[@MarkBryanRC]

Glad you liked it, Markus! And thank you very much for watching, hope all is good with you my friend. :)

[@RoosterRC]

@@MarkBryanRC Everthing is fine thank you. Quarantine in Austria is going slowly to normal again. How about England?

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hi Markus - we will find out this evening about quarantine when the PM makes an announcement - still locked-in at the moment! :)

[@RoosterRC]

@@MarkBryanRC Ok, wish you a relieve soon!

[@CarminesRCTipsandTricks]

Mate, that is extremely CLEVER!! I believe that I bodged something similar to your first one, on my original Scorcher..... Except mine was nowhere NEAR as neat as your first one!! 😜😲 Your images reminded me of just how WEAK that whole Bulkhead Assembly was - and IS still. There SHOULD HAVE been plastic moulded throughout the CENTRE of the Pin, between the A-Arm Loops!! Are you picturing what I'm trying to say?? Just supporting the very stressed Suspension Arms by two tiny pivot points, was a problem on several Tamiya Suspensions. Again, VERY elegant solution my Friend!! 👌👏👏👏👏👏👏👏😎 Cheers and stay SAFE! 😷 Carmine ✈🚂🚙

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks mate - I really appreciate your supportive words. The mod came out pretty good, let's hope it holds up after a few runs! All the best my friend - best regards from Mark... :)

[@CarminesRCTipsandTricks]

It should hold up well. That Aluminium plate is at the point of tension, right? I'm still surprised there's no centre support on that pin. 😲 Stay strong 💪 Brother!!

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks,Bro - yeah it should have more support in the middle, but this is how most Tamiyas are built. Yeah, the alloy bracket should be at the tension point, so fingers crossed as usual!! :) P.S. Mum's doing well - thanks mate.

[@CarminesRCTipsandTricks]

*GOOD NEWS!!!* Let's hope she keeps getting better! 😁 I watched it again. Despite engineering weaknesses, I really think you've got that sorted. Being in tension, the bracket should be quite strong!! 😉

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks so much mate, Mum has had a load of tests and CT scans - looks like no permanent damage but may be a gene defect that will make her prone to more "mini strokes". At least they are managing it with medication, so looking brighter. Reason to smile :)

[@fencenaoghen3569]

Wow! Excellent improvement my friend! You should patent that! And it looks great ! Bravo !

[@MarkBryanRC]

Cheers, Alex - yes I think this mod will do the trick! Haha, I think the idea is too similar to other solutions for a patent, but it's a very nice thought! All the best mon ami! :)

[@RCRetro]

Hey Mark what a genius idea. I see in prior comments that the steal shaft pins from the TL-01 would fit perfectly. Do you mean you could use those without having to make the additional aluminum part and spacers? Basically the steal shafts from the TL-01 would be a direct replacement for those hinge pins that screw in? Hopefully some of those will surface soon but if they dont, what length steal shaft did you use and what thickness is the piece of aluminum. Thanks and again, great idea!

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks very much! Yes, the TL-01 hop-up shafts would fit perfectly, but are too short to enable any form of reinforcing plate or washers. At least they would relieve the stress on A5. The set of steel shafts I used are 58mm long (the M-05 hop-up part number is in the video) and I still see them for sale at the moment. The ally plate was only 1.5mm thick but I yhink it's strong enough for the job. A thin piece of steel - 1mm - would do the job too! I hope this answers your questions! All the best from Mark.

[@RCRetro]

Thanks Mark. I found them on Ebay. Greatly appreciated. And I sub’d .. Great Channel my friend.

[@valentinrobert7604]

Hello how much does the Audi A2 quattro rally RC weigh? Please

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hi Valentin - sorry for the delay, but I had to find some scales to weigh the car. Tha Audi Quattro A2 on the TT-02 type-s chassis weighs 1.3kg with no battery installed. I hope this helps! :)

[@valentinrobert7604]

@@MarkBryanRC thank you for your answer yes it helps me a lot

[@fishkeeper6734]

Nice DIY. Where you guys from. Sounds local. I’m Dudley.

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hey, thanks! Yeah, we are practically neighbours - we are in Oldbury - small world, eh? :)

[@mikeymike3240]

Nice one Mark, now would you like to make me one of those please, name yer price man lol 😂

[@MarkBryanRC]

Cheers, Mikey! Well, it would take me a few hours to make, I'll see what I can do over the Christmas holiday (seeing as we are locked down again!!!) No Promises mate - but we will see! Happy Christmas, dude! :O)

[@mikeymike3240]

@@MarkBryanRC It's ok, I found some for sale on Ebay and a 3d printed stronger front bracelet. But, sincerely, thank you for offering to make it.

[@MarkBryanRC]

No worries, Mike - if you have any problems with the new parts, let me know! :O)

[@GTMatukka]

Is the A5 really an issue? With the modern plastics and moulding techniques it's hard to believe that the new fresh plastic would be brittle. TS came out 1988 and the plastic from over 30 yrs has come brittle, yes ofc, but it's always funny to see that people stick old things like, Japanese cars are made from tuna cans, MB is durable (yes , like in 1980's) etc.

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hi Kalle - yes I believe the A5 part is still a problem. That part broke on my Thunder Dragon when it was new in the 80's, and not when it was 30 years old! Tamiya uses many types of plastic in it's kits. The harder plastics are inherently more brittle than their softer counterparts. Just as cast iron is more brittle than softer mild steel, it's a matter of physics! The part is put under stress by the screw pins, even before you run the car. I would rather be cautious and strengthen that area than risk it breaking. BTW, I think Japanese cars are excellent quality - I have one!!! :D

[@GTMatukka]

@@MarkBryanRC I'm looking at the build video of yours and just what i thought i'd use, you used the shafts, very nice :). Yes, Japanese cars are excellent quality apart from two makers nowadays.

[@aussiecoastie72]

I wonder why Tamiya doesn’t just upgrade that part 🤔

[@MarkBryanRC]

Gotta agree, mate - after all these years with a part that breaks so easily, you'd think they would sort it out by now! Hey - but that's Tamiya for you! :O)