O.k here goes whilst stripping my H.L. tiger for paint and fitting all metal parts.I thought how tacky the main suspension is.
So a brainwave moment hit why not fit a metal suspension system (as the little plastic lugs that hold the arms on break sort, them out as well).
Well i've found that the brass spacers on the gearbox also fit in the new metal arms, here comes problem one :how do i get more for the rest of the arms?(As there are only 2 per box and i've got 4 now off of the old nylon boxes).
The brass shafts also fit standard Tamiya car bearing races as well so do i grind the excess of the new arms that goes into the main body and fit the bearings inside the new housing and then knock up some suspension on the inside of the tank?

There are lots of conversations on this.. sorry I do not remember the exact ones but a search will let you know... There are a few options.. Yours.... secong buy metal arms off teh web from a site in Germany, very reasonable.. and it comes with arms, screws and the ALREADY cut and threaded brass tube, the third option is what I am doing.... I already bought the arms... so I bought some stock brass tubing, cutting it, threading it, installing it. I also though re-inforced the inside of teh hull...... finally I, based on teh brillant idea of another tanker.... drilled out teh small hole on teh bottom of teh arms, threaded it, modified teh pin, which holds the road wheels, and there you have it... trouble free suspension, at least for teh road wheels.

KT

aha my arms never came with screws or the tubing must have the cheaper option have to track that site down and see if they will sell seperately if not take one of mine to work and knock a load out on the manual lathe cheers for that m8

Actually... simply a drill bit and a thread bit will allow you to thread the hole in teh arms to M3...... Then use a file to file the splines off of teh original axles and a flat spot on them.. using a grub screw to hold them in place.... For the new axles a hacksaw to cut teh brass tubing, a file and the same thread bit will allow you to make the brass tubing to replace the suspension... quite simple.. and the picture below shows my how I gave it all extra support (note, I have not added the brass axles yet..I might do this as they break...)

KT

i will try and put a photo together of what im trying to achieve as im not explaining it to well at the mo
trying to get the suspension to work better and last a lot longer

Thanks for the tips. By the way, I think the letters 'e' and 'h' on your keyboard are swapped

I know... really bad typing... I have it set to auto correct in word... instead of always changing it.. I have accepted it...

I found something else out though....

With teh plastic arms on you can tighten up teh screws all the way and the arm still rotates.... but with the metal arms they don't.... so I will have to cut my brass 1mm longer than the current plastic axles

What is the plastic bushing for?... Will it not bring the road wheel away from the and effect how the track runs?... Besides that... that is what I am planning to do.

KT

the plastic bushes are the cheaper version to bearings just to show were they will sit on the shaft.
the arm will sit as normal once i have mounted the bearings inside the body or ground the shaft flat on suspension arm

heres some photos of what i achieved over the last day or two here the suspension arms with solid 5mm brass bar insert

aluminium angle and arms being fitted to tank chassis

modified motor housing showing clearence for new arms

oops sorry for the fuzzy photos but i hope you get the general idea

Fv432,

looks good but why are the suspension arms on the INSDIE of the hull?

there is a brass bush in the recess where the old spring used to sit

just read your post a little better they are the old plastic arms the new metal ones are attached to the brass bar on the outside as usual

So the plastic ones... Inside... you will grind off the arm and use it as a bushing?

Why did you decide to use channel stock instead of angle stock?

Looks good!!

KT

the plastic arm on the inside has a spring attached for the suspension the "U" channel is actually two bits of "L"angle not very clear from photos hopefully will get a photo of the plastic arm with spring attached

Ahhhhhh... I see the inside springs now... cool!

KT

yes sorry about the piccy quality