RC car maintenance after every run: cleaning, bearings, tyres and suspension

Immediately after driving

1. Unplug the battery and store it safely, then let the car cool down.
2. Check the motor and battery temperature while warm. Unusual heat can point to binding, poor gearing or a failing part.
3. Look over the car for obvious damage: hanging parts, bent links, cracked plastics or a loose wheel.

Cleaning

• Brush off dirt with a stiff paintbrush or soft brush. Old toothbrushes reach small corners.
• Use compressed air to blow dust out of the chassis, gears and suspension. Point it away from your face and wear eye protection.
• Avoid pressure washers. They force water and grit into bearings and electronics.
• If the car is wet or muddy, follow the manufacturer's guidance. Even cars sold as water-resistant need drying, and bearings and screws can rust.
• Remove the body to clean underneath it, and wipe the inside so it does not hide damage.

Screws and fixings

• Check wheel nuts, motor mount screws and any screws that hold suspension arms or shock towers.
• Use the correct hex driver size so you do not round off heads.
• Do not overtighten screws into plastic; they strip the thread.
• Thread-locking compound is often used for metal-to-metal screws, such as the motor mount and pinion grub screw, but keep it away from plastic parts.

Bearings

• Spin each wheel by hand. It should turn freely and quietly.
• Rough, gritty or noisy bearings need cleaning or replacing.
• Bearings are cheap compared with the damage a seized one causes to hubs and axles.
• Lightly oil bearings with a suitable bearing oil after cleaning, not with heavy grease that collects dirt.

Tyres and wheels

• Check that the tyres are still glued to the rims all the way round. Loose tyres balloon and wobble.
• Re-glue small separations with tyre glue before they spread.
• Inspect the tread; worn tyres reduce grip and make the car harder to control.
• Make sure the wheel hex drives are not worn or cracked.

Suspension and steering

• Push each corner down and let go. It should rebound smoothly without bouncing repeatedly.
• Look for oil leaks around the shock absorbers; leaking shocks need new seals or refilling with shock oil.
• Check for bent hinge pins, turnbuckles and links.
• Turn the steering from side to side by hand and with the radio. It should move freely and centre straight.
• Listen for the steering servo buzzing hard when stationary, which may mean something is binding.

Drivetrain

• Check the gear mesh between the pinion and spur gears. A tiny amount of play is right; too tight overheats the motor, too loose strips teeth.
• Look for chipped or missing gear teeth.
• Check driveshafts and universal joints for wear or play.
• Listen for clicking or grinding when you roll the car along.

Electronics

• Check wires are tidy and away from moving parts.
• Make sure the receiver and ESC are secure and their connectors fully pushed in.
• Keep the antenna tube intact and the aerial wire undamaged.

Keep a simple log

Deeper maintenance