Any ball studs or ball ends with 2.6mm threads?

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Bottom Feeder
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Any ball studs or ball ends with 2.6mm threads?

Post by Bottom Feeder »

I'm modding/modernizing the steering on a re-release Tamiya Subaru Brat using a 3D-printed centered servo mounting kit and a Tamiya hi-torque servo saver. I'm trying to make this look as OEM Tamiya as possible, or at least Tamiya-esque and not obviously hacked together.

The servo saver has 3mm holes so I can use pretty much anything on that end, it's the uprights I'm concerned with. The uprights have 2.6mm threaded holes, having come with some small brass ball studs in a size pretty much any early Tamiya kit used. I want to use a more modern heavier ball stud or ball end and a proper turnbuckle. Drilling the uprights out to 3mm may be do-able but there won't be a lot of meat left around the hole after it's drilled and tapped. 4-40 may be an option since it's right in the middle of 2.6mm and 3mm but I'd rather use metric hardware if possible for 'correctness'.

I do have some random Tamiya and Associated metric ball studs in my spares but I have no idea what sizes the balls are or what ball ends will fit them. It seems like all of these manufacturers are all doing their own thing now. I miss the early days of the RC10 and JR-X2 where everything was 4-40 with 1/8" balls. :(

So... yeah, all that said, if anyone has any suggestions for a parts combo that may work? Or should I just go the easy and familiar route and use some 4-40 Du-Bro bits and be done with it?

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Re: Any ball studs or ball ends with 2.6mm threads?

Post by juicedcoupe »

You could get the Du-bro ends for 2mm or 2-56 and drill out the ball. The plastic part is plenty thick.

Another option is to use the current ballstuds with these ends. They can be troublesome to find.
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Re: Any ball studs or ball ends with 2.6mm threads?

Post by Bottom Feeder »

Thanks! I'll look into that.

I just realized I may have posted this in the wrong forum...

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Re: Any ball studs or ball ends with 2.6mm threads?

Post by juicedcoupe »

Just got around to fixing mine. 2-56 ball ends and conical spacers. Ball and spacer opened up the allow the M2.6 screw to pass, and plastic end opened up to 3/32.

Traxxas servo saver and 3mm turnbuckles.
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Re: Any ball studs or ball ends with 2.6mm threads?

Post by Lowgear »

Bottom Feeder wrote: Fri Jun 28, 2024 10:33 am Thanks! I'll look into that.

I just realized I may have posted this in the wrong forum...

Moved it for ya. :)

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Re: Any ball studs or ball ends with 2.6mm threads?

Post by terry.sc »

Several options from Kyosho.

SC240 - 5.8mm ball with 2.6mm thread
1285 - 5.8mm ball with 2.6mm hole
SC242 - 4.8mm ball nut with 2.6mm thread
OTW102 - 4.8mm ball with 2.6mm thread
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Re: Any ball studs or ball ends with 2.6mm threads?

Post by juicedcoupe »

terry.sc wrote: Mon Jul 29, 2024 6:42 am Several options from Kyosho.

SC240 - 5.8mm ball with 2.6mm thread
1285 - 5.8mm ball with 2.6mm hole
SC242 - 4.8mm ball nut with 2.6mm thread
OTW102 - 4.8mm ball with 2.6mm thread
I actually have a have a Kyosho Beetle that uses some of those and completely forgot about them.
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Re: Any ball studs or ball ends with 2.6mm threads?

Post by Bottom Feeder »

Lowgear wrote: Mon Jul 29, 2024 12:18 am
Bottom Feeder wrote: Fri Jun 28, 2024 10:33 am Thanks! I'll look into that.

I just realized I may have posted this in the wrong forum...

Moved it for ya. :)
Thank you!

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