Fourth teaser of upcoming Team Associated 4WD shows prototype's front suspension

0 Nov. 21, 2016, 11:11 a.m.

By Aaron Waldron
LiveRC.com

This head-on view of the 3D-printed prototype of the upcoming Team Associated 4WD buggy shows off the suspension geometry, and suggests future photos may include still further details about the car rather than close-ups focusing only on specific parts. After all - how many different reaser images can they come up with?

Published shortly after 11 AM Central Time, the latest picture shows the car at rest on a blank white photo backdrop without wheels, and the front suspension sitting above arms level.

CLICK HERE to view the first teaser, which shows the steering blocks and rear hubs
CLICK HERE to view the second teaser, showing the bottom of the chassis
CLICK HERE to view the third teaser, displaying the steering system and front bulkhead

The black-anodized caster blocks have vertical ball studs to allow for roll center adjustment, and it's interesting to note the lack of location options for the inside of the front camber link - it doesn't look like you'll be able to adjust the length of the link by moving either end. The slightly-opaque stereolithography (SLA) material gives a vague look at the front hub bearings, and it looks like the inner bearing may be larger. A blue-anodized coupler is used for the CV-style front drive shaft, which plunges far into the outdrive, indicating the car may have even more downtravel than what's shown in the photo. The blue-anodized "A" block uses inserts for the hinge pins, perhaps to allow for anti-dive adjustments. The finish of the front shock bodies looks decidedly more silver than the Kashima-coated units found on many team drivers' vehicles, and use black plastic caps. Finally, a short horizontal screw on the front of the diff case looks to be fastening a clamp to keep the swaybar centered, but may also indicate a quick-access design to quickly remove the differential for tuning.