Associated Electrics RC12L3 4015 User manual

1:12 SCALE ON ROAD CAR KIT
SASA
SASA
SAVE THIS MANUAL!VE THIS MANUAL!
VE THIS MANUAL!VE THIS MANUAL!
VE THIS MANUAL!
Use with current catalog for future,
hassle-free re-ordering of parts. ©1998 Associated Electrics, Inc.
1:12 SCALE ON ROAD CAR KIT
INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR KIT #4015

2
T O O L S
HELPFUL TOOLS (NOT REQUIRED)
Allen drivers (straight Allen wrenches with hex shaped handles)
such as the following made by Associated:
#6957 .050" Allen wrench
#6958 1/16" Allen wrench
#6960 3/32" Allen wrench
#6961 2.5mm Allen wrench
vernier calipers
hobby scissors
nut drivers (screwdriver-
handled hex socket tools) such
as the following from Associated:
#SP-86 3/16" nut driver
#SP-85 1/4" nut driver
#SP-82 11/32" nut driver
WARNING!
Do not use a power screwdriver to install screws into
nylon, plastic, or composite materials. The fast rotation speed
can heat up the screws being installed. They can then break or
strip the threads during installation.
KIT TOOLS SUPPLIED
EXTRA TOOLS NEEDED
Phillips screwdriver, #2
needlenose pliers
soldering iron (40-50 watts) and a
small amount of Rosin core solder.
Pencil-type soldering iron is better
than the gun type.
DANGER! Tip is
HOT!
thread locking compound (#242
Blue Loctite© or equivalent)
hobby knife WARNING! This knife
cuts plastic and fingers with equal
ease, so be careful.
precision ruler

file
hand drill with 3/32" (or #43) drill bit
electrician's tape
strapping tape
Allen wrenches, .050", 1/16", 3/32"
shock tools
metal turnbuckle wrench
WARNING! Always
use hand and eye
protection with cyano-
acrylic glue!
I T E M S N E E D E D T O O P E R A T E Y O U R C A R
1
R/C two channel surface frequency radio system.
2 * Batteries (6 cell).
3 Battery charger (we recommend a peak detection charger).
4 *
Electronic speed control.
5 * R/C electric motor.
6 *
Pinion gear, size to be determined by type and wind of motor you
w
ill
be using.
7 *1:12 scale Lexan body and wing.
* Available from Associated. See your catalog.
N E W 3 b o l t
p r e c i s i o n h u b s
N E W P r o L i n e / J a c o
3 b o l t w h e e l / t i r e
c o m b o
N E W F a c t o r y T e a m
b l u e a l u m i n u m s c r e w s
a n d b a l l e n d s
N E W V C S TM M i c r o s h o c k R a c e p r o v e n
f r o n t s u s p e n s i o n
C a r b o n f i b e r
c o m p o s i t e c h a s s i s
N E W F a c t o r y T e a m
b l u e t i t a n i u m t u r n b u c k l e s
N E W c h a s s i s d e s i g n
P r o L i n e / J a c o
w h e e l / t i r e c o m b o

shoulder down
8405, qty 2
upper suspension
arm
8407, qty 2
10° upper sus-
pension arm
mount 8417, qty 4
pivot ball
8415, qty 2
upper suspension
arm turnbuckle
8411, qty 2
upper suspension
arm eyelet
s t e p 1
ASSEMBLE UPPER
SUSPENSION ARM
  Assemble parts #8405, 8415,
and 8411.
ATTACH UPPER ARM MOUNT TO LOWER ARM
Attach #8407 10° mount to the #8419 lower
suspension arm using two #8409 screws. WARNING!
Screws are difficult to screw in. Turn carefully so you
do not strip out the head.
INSTALLING UPPER AND LOWER PIVOT BALLS
Before popping in the pivot balls, make sure there are
no burrs inside the pivot ball holes.
Pop the #8417 pivot balls into the suspension arms as
shown. Make sure that the shoulders of the pivot balls
in the lower suspension arms are facing upward and
the pivot balls in the upper arm are facing downward
as shown. Orient ball to the rounded side of the upper
arm as shown.
Now assemble the right side.
L E F T S I D E
B A G A
REMOVE THESE
PARTS FOR:
4015: step 1
1:1
1:1
B E F O R E B U I L D I N G
OPEN THE BAGS IN ORDER
The assembly is arranged so that you will open and finish that
bag before you go on to the next bag. Sometimes you will
have parts remaining at the end of a bag. These will
become part of the next bag. Some bags may have a large
amount of small parts. To make it easier to find the parts, we
recommend using a partitioned paper plate for spreading out
the parts so they will be easier to find.
MANUAL FORMAT
The following explains the format of these instructions.
The beginning of each section indicates:
1Which bag to open ("BAG A").
2Which parts you will use for those steps. Remove only the
parts shown. "1:1" indicates an actual size drawing; place
your part on top and compare it so it does not get confused
with a similar part.
3Which tools you should have handy for that section.
4In some drawings, the word "REAR" with an arrow indicates
which direction is the rear of the car to help keep you oriented.
5 The instructions in each step are ordered in the order you
complete them, so read the words AND follow the pictures. The
numbers in circles are also in the drawing to help you locate
them faster.
6When we refer to left and right sides of the car, we are
referring to the driver's point of view inside the car.
SUPPLEMENTAL SHEETS
We are constantly developing new parts to improve our kits.
These changes, if any, will be noted in supplementary sheets
located in a parts bag or inside the kit box. Check the kit box
before you start and each bag as it is opened. When a
supplement is found, attach it to the appropriate section of the
manual.
Now clear off your workbench, line up some partitioned
plates, grab your hot dog, root beer, bag o'chips, hang up your
DO NOT DISTURB sign, and let's go!
R E A C H I N G U S
ASSOCIATED ELECTRICS, INC.
3585 Cadillac Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
USA
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
[phone]
FAX [phone]
web site: http://www.rc10.com
©1998 Associated Electrics, Inc.
3
T O O L S U S E D
Match this number
to the text to find
your way faster
8411
8415
8405
8407 8419
8409 (blue)
8409
(blue)
8417
8417
8409, qty 4
4-40 x 1/2"
shoulder screw,
blue aluminum
1:1
1:1
8419, qty 2
lower suspension
arm
shoulder up
left side
right side
the side with
the rounded corner
should face up
1/16"
3
5
F
R
O
N
T

SUSPENSION ARMS TO CHASSIS
Bolt the #8419 suspension arm to the
chassis with two #8439 blue aluminum
screws from underneath the chassis, with
one #3323 washer (between arm and top of
chassis) for each screw. Do the other side.
MOUNT THE CROSS BRACE
Mount the #4506 cross brace to the front
suspension using two #6917 button head
screws.
UPPER ARM TO THE SUSPENSION
MOUNT
Assemble the upper arm assembly to the
suspension mount as shown, using the
#8413 hinge pin and shims.
FINAL FRONT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY
Cut and file the #8421 steering block as
shown.
Assemble the #8421 steering block as
shown using parts #1599, 6299, 4448, and
4449.
Place one #6299 E-clip on the bottom of the
#4403 kingpin then slide the #4114 spring
over.
Slide the #4403 kingpin completely through
the bottom of the suspension arm and up
through the steering block.
Place one #8425 shim on top of the #8421
steering block.
Now push the upper arm over the kingpin.
Place three #8425 shims over the kingpin
and secure with a #6299 E-clip.
Do the other side.
8421, qty 2
offset steering
block
8413, qty 2
hinge pin
8439, qty 4
8-32 x 5/8
blue aluminum
6917, qty 2
4-40 x 3/8
s t e p 3
L E F T S I D E
B A G A
REMOVE THESE
PARTS FOR:
4015: steps 2-3
1:1 1:1
1:1
T O O L S U S E D
4
s t e p 2
NOTE: The bottom of the chassis
has the screw holes countersunk.
FILE THE CHASSIS
Use your file to bevel the slots on the top of the chassis so
the edges won't cut through the battery cell wrap.
WARNING! Graphite dust can be harmful to your
health. File in a well ventilated area. Then wash the
chassis with running water and dry with paper towels.
Wash your hands afterward with cold water and soap.
Deposit graphite filings in trash.
TAPE THE CHASSIS
Insulate the battery slots by wrapping the slots with
electrical tape where the batteries will touch the chassis.
8413, qty 4
caster shim
6299, qty 6
E-clip
1:1
4448, qty 2
ball end
blue aluminum
1:1
4449, qty 2
4-40 locknut
1:1
4403, qty 2
kingpin
4114, qty 2
spring, .018
1:1
8425, qty 8
kingpin shim
1:1
1:1
1599, qty 2
stub axle
titanium
1/16", .050"
6917
4506
10
1:1
4506, qty 1
cross brace
8413
8413 8413
8421
4449
4448
1599
6299
6299
4403
4114
8425
6299
the side with
the rounded corner
should face up
8425
8421
cut at molded line file corners
8419
8439
3323
1:1
3323, qty 4
#8 thick washer
4507
6917
4507

4436, qty 2
tweak set screw
4335, qty 2 ea
pivot socket,
upper and lower
4334, qty 8
2-56 x 5/16
4522, qty 1
T-bar, .063"
B A G B
REMOVE THESE
PARTS FOR:
4015: steps 1-2
1:1 1:1
1:1
T O O L S U S E D
5
s t e p 1 T-BAR ASSEMBLY
Trim the sides on the #4335 front pivot socket in order to
make room for the T-bar tweak screws. Do not trim the rear
pivot socket.
Assemble the #4335 T-bar sockets and #4336 pivot balls.
Secure the T-bar pivot assembly to the #4522 T-bar using
eight #4334 screws as shown, installing both on the same
side of the T-bar. The side with the screw head showing will
be the bottom.
Install the two #4436 tweak screws as shown. Screw them
so they are flush with the bottom of the T-bar.
4336, qty 2
pivot ball
L E F T S I D E
s t e p 2
R I G H T S I D E
4536, qty 1
left rear bulkhead 4537, qty 1 motor bulkhead 4532, qty 1 lower pod plate
1:1
4526, qty 2
T-bar spacer
1:1
4449, qty 2
4-40 locknut
1:1
6292, qty 2
4-40 x 3/8
.050", 1/16"
4436
4436
4335
4335
4335
4335
4334
4334
4336
4522
4336
tweak screws
4526
4526
6292
7673
7673
6934
(blue)
6934
(blue)
6934
(blue)
4536
4537
4532
4449
4449
REAR POD ASSEMBLY
Bolt the #4532 lower pod plate to the
black #4536 left bulkhead with three
#6934 blue aluminum screws.
Bolt the aluminum #4537 motor
bulkhead with two #7673 screws.
Attach the lower pod plate to the T-
bar with two #4526 spacers, two
#6292 screws, and two #4449
locknuts. The spacer goes between
the T-bar and the pod plate. The T-
bar is on top.
6292
1:1
6934, qty 3
4-40 x 3/8
blue aluminum
1:1
7673, qty 2
4-40 x 5/16

6
B A G B
REMOVE THESE
PARTS FOR:
4015: steps 3-4
1:1
T O O L S U S E D
T-BAR TO CHASSIS
Insert the #4519 screw through the chassis hole
shown and into the T-bar.
Place the #4524 T-bar brace over the screw
and secure with a #4449 locknut.
4449, qty 1
4-40 locknut
1:1
4519, qty 1
4-40 x 9/16
4524, qty 1
T-bar brace
s t e p 3
L E F T S I D E
1:1
4442, qty 2
dampener brace
standoff
1:1
6919, qty 3
4-40 x 5/16
1:1
6917, qty 3
4-40 x 3/8
1:1
4517, qty 1
dampener spring
4340, qty 1
dampener washer
4516, qty 1
dampener post
4513, qty 2
rear body mount
1:1
8330, qty 1
dampener O-ring
black
1:1
4534, qty 1
rear chassis brace
1:1
4515, qty 1
dampener center post
1/16"
4449 4524
4519
REAR CHASSIS BRACE
ASSEMBLY
Mount the aluminum #4442
and #4515 standoffs to the
#4534 rear chassis brace with
the #6919 screws.
Mount the #4513 rear body
mounts to the rear chassis
brace in the holes shown and
secure the mounts using the
#6917 screws.
Place a small amount of
Locktite on the tip of a #6917
screw. Mount the #4516
dampener post to the rear
chassis brace with the #6917
screw.
DAMPENER ASSEMBLY
Slide the #4517 spring, #8330
O-ring, and #4340 washer
over the #4516 post in the
order shown.
L E F T S I D E
s t e p 4
6917
6917
6919
6919
6919
6917
4442
4442
4515
4513
4513
4516
4517
8330
4340
B A G B
REMOVE THESE
PARTS FOR:
4015: steps 5-6
T O O L S U S E D
1:1
4448, qty 1
4-40 ball end
blue aluminum
4340, qty 1
dampener washer
1:1
8330, qty 1
dampener O-ring
1:1
4517, qty 1
dampener spring
4530, qty 1
dampener plate
1:1
6917, qty 1
4-40 x 3/8
1:1
6919, qty 2
4-40 x 5/16
1:1
6920, qty 1
4-40 x 3/16
1:1
6915, qty 1
4-40 x 5/8
1:1
7673, qty 2
4-40 x 5/16
1:1
4449, qty 1
4-40 locknut
1:1
6466, qty 1
spacer 4518, qty 2 roll stop insert
OPTIONAL
see tuning section
1/16"
4534

T-BAR MOUNTING
Insert the #6915 screw up through the chassis and
into the rear part of the T-bar, and screw it into the
center chassis brace standoff tube.
Secure the outside aluminum standoffs to the
chassis with the #7673 screws.
s t e p 5
L E F T S I D E DAMPENER PLATE ASSEMBLY
Install the #4530 dampener plate to the
rear pod using two #6919 screws into
the aluminum bulkhead and the longer
#6917 screw into the plastic bulkhead.
Slide the #4340 dampener washer,
#8330 O-ring, and the #4517 spring over
the dampener post as shown.
Install the #4448 ball end and #4449
locknut as shown.
Secure the dampener assembly using a
#6466 1/32" spacer and #6920 screw.
s t e p 6
L E F T S I D E
6915
7673
6466
6920
7673
B A G C
REMOVE THESE
PARTS FOR:
4015: steps 1-2
1:1
897, qty 2
1/4 x 3/8
flanged bearing
4349, qty 2
ride height
adjuster, #1 down
6626, qty 6
1/8" diff ball
1:1
4460, qty 1
diff gear
75 tooth
6636, qty 1
silicone grease
4349
4349
897
897
s t e p 1
DIFFERENTIAL
ASSEMBLY
Find the #4349
adjusters that have a
small #1 on them, and
insert them into the
rear pod, hole down.
(For more info on
these, see the tuning
tips later in the
manual.)
Insert two #897 ball
bearings into the ride
height adjusters as
shown.
L E F T S I D E
6626
4460
DIFF GEAR
Add #6636
silicone grease
to the #4460 diff
gear ball holes
and center hole.
Push the six
#6626 diff balls
into the holes.
s t e p 2
6636
4517
8330
4340
4448 4530
6919
4449
6917
6919

B A G C
REMOVE THESE
PARTS FOR:
4015: steps 3-4
1:1
T O O L S U S E D
8
s t e p 3
FINAL DIFF ASSEMBLY
Hold the #4551 axle upright and slide the #6579 diff ring
over the axle and onto the aluminum hub of the axle.
Slide the #4460 spur gear over the axle and center it on
the hub.
Apply a small amount of #6636 grease to the second
#6579 diff ring as shown. Slide it over the axle, greased
side towards the gear. This will keep the diff ring in place
while assembling.
Insert a #897 flanged bearing into the outside end of the
#4553 wheel hub. Add a little #6636 grease to the smaller
end, then slide the #4553 wheel hub over the axle.
Install the #4555 cone so that the smaller end is facing the
bearing. Place the #4459 Belleville washer over the axle
so that the smaller end faces away from the cone, and
secure with a #4185 locknut. We will adjust the diff after
we put the wheels on.
6579
4459
4185
4555
s t e p 4
CHECK THE END PLAY
Screw on the #4552 left wheel hub, then
check the axle for side to side end play. Use
the #4554 shims to take up any excess end
play.
When you have finished setting the axle end
play, install the #4185 locknut to secure the
left wheel hub.
897 6636
4460
4551
897, qty 1
1/4 x 3/8
flanged bearing
4460, qty 1
diff gear
75 tooth
4551, qty 1
graphite axle
4185, qty 2
8-32 locknut
1:1
4459, qty 1
Belleville washer
1:1
4555, qty 1
diff thrust cone
4553, qty 1
right hand rear wheel/
dif spacer
4552, qty 1
left wheel hub
1:1
6579, qty 2
diff drive ring
6636, qty 1
silicone grease
3/32"
1:1
4554, qty 2
rear axle shim
4553
6579
4552
4554
4185

B A G D
REMOVE THESE
PARTS FOR:
4015: steps 1-5
T O O L S U S E D
s t e p 2
9
4473, qty 1
black VC foam 4473, qty 1 VC housing
4471, qty 1
micro shock body
4472, qty 1
shock shaft and piston 4473, qty 1
small washer
4473, qty 1
red O-ring
4473, qty 1
large washer
4473, qty 1
star clip
4473, qty 1
assembly tool
Remove the plastic #4473
VC housing from the parts tree.
Soak the #4473 VC foam with
your #5422 shock oil.
Push the foam into the housing.
1
Fill #4471 shock body
with oil up to the upper
groove.
Insert #4472 shaft/
piston all the way to the
bottom
Remove the small and large #4473 washers from
the parts tree. Remove any flash from the washers.
Slide the VC housing with foam onto the shaft,
housing first (so foam is still seen through the body
opening).
Slide on the following in this order: smaller
washer, red O-ring, larger washer, then the
star-shaped clip.
smallest washer
largest washer
red O-ring
Use the assembly tool to push all the
parts down into the body until the clip
snaps into the groove. When you
remove the tool, the shaft will push
out somewhat if everything snapped
into place correctly.
Make sure the clip
snaps into the groove completely.
s t e p 3 s t e p 4
4473
4473
4473
4473
1:1 1:1 1:1 1:1 1:1 1:1
1:1
1:1 1:1
5422, qty 1
30 wt
silicone oil
4473
4473
s t e p 5
4473
s t e p 1
SHOCK/ANTENNA MOUNT
Install the mount using two
#6933 screws.
Add one blue aluminum #4448
ball end to the hole shown.
4448
4511
6933
6933
4511, qty 1
shock mount 4448, qty 1 ball end
blue aluminum
6933, qty 2
4-40 x 5/16
blue aluminum
1:1 1:1
5422
5422
4472
4471

screw on flange first
B A G D
REMOVE THESE
PARTS FOR:
4015: steps 6-8
T O O L S U S E D
s t e p 6
4474, qty 1
shock shaft end 6951, qty 1
set screw 4476, qty 1
green spring
4473, qty 1
spring
adjusting nut
6274, qty 2
ball cup disassembly rod
.050"
Slide the #4476 spring over the body and up against the
#4473 adjusting nut.
Screw the #6274 ball cup onto the #4474 shock shaft end.
Tighten the #4474 shock shaft end to the shaft with the
#6951 set screw.
Pop the #6274 ball cups on the ball ends of your kit.
Turn the spring adjusting nut to adjust spring tension.
Adjust spring nut to 1/16" from threaded end.
Remove the assembly tool and screw on the ball cup
where shown.
Screw the #4473 spring adjusting nut onto the shock
body threads, flange first, as shown.
To remove the parts from inside the shock, first loosen the
#6951 set screw of the #4474 shock shaft end (see step 7
above), then slide off the shaft end and spring.
Now carefully insert your disassembly rod into one of the
rounded grooves of the star clip and pop it out.
flange on this side
turn to adjust tension
D I S A S S E M B L Y
s t e p 8
s t e p 7
6274
4473
4476
6274
4474
6951
1
10
1/16" exposed threads
6274
6274