Identify every component, learn what it does, and establish your baseline setup numbers.
Learn every major part of your touring car. You'll use these names throughout the course.
An RC touring car has over 30 setup-adjustable components. Knowing what they are and where they live is step one.
Front section: Uprights (carriers), upper/lower arms, steering knuckles, servo saver, center link, tie rods.
Rear section: Hub carriers, rear arms, differential, rear bulkhead, suspension mounts.
Shared: Shocks (4), springs (4), sway bars (optional), chassis plate, batteries, radio gear.
First measurement, most important number. Everything else builds on this.
Ride height (RH) is the gap from the ground to the chassis plate. It determines how much suspension travel you have, where camber sits in corners, and how weight transfers.
Typical values (1/10 touring):
Front: 5.0–5.5mm · Rear: 5.5–6.0mm
Front is usually 0.3–0.5mm lower than rear (nose-down rake). This helps weight transfer forward under braking.
How far the wheel drops below ride height. Controls mechanical grip and weight transfer onset.
Droop is measured by lifting the chassis until the wheel just barely leaves the ground. That lift distance = droop at that corner.
More droop = more suspension travel = softer transitions, but potentially more weight transfer.
Typical values:
Front: 6.0–7.5mm · Rear: 5.5–7.0mm
Ride height → Droop → Camber → Toe
If you change ride height AFTER setting droop, you've changed your effective droop. Always recheck.
Oil-filled, coil-spring dampers. Two jobs: support weight and control weight transfer timing.
Shocks are the only connection between the chassis and the suspension arms (via the spring mount). Everything you feel from the car passes through them.
Key parts: Shock shaft, piston, cylinder, spring, spring retainer, bladder cap (or O-ring), shock oil.
What each does:
• Piston controls how oil flows — determines damping curve
• Oil viscosity determines total damping force
• Spring rate supports car weight and sets natural frequency