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From what i can find in the AE online documents, it seems that all of the Original Gold Tub cars, as well as the first (1989) Graphite cars used the Bottom-loaded shock bodies. I know that my '89 Graphite had them, and the first time I saw the new top-loaders was on a Champ Car ('90 or '91, I think).

Is this correct? I mean, is it correct that ALL Original short-arm Gold Tubs had the bottom-loaders?

Next- Since I am pretty much a Hardware Idiot, and do not have anything to accurately measure the bottom-loader's circlip, can someone tell me the "proper" way to express the measurements of that circlip, so that I can find the correct replacement from someplace like McMaster or the like?

AE doesn't sell the rebuild kits for them anymore (as you all probably know), and I only have ONE of those circlips left in my toolbox.

Thanks for any help guys (and Gal) !

Let me know if you have a problem locating a new clip. I'm sure I got a couple old spares laying around that I could send you.

That is correct the cars up to the CE had the bottom loaders. The "Team" shocks didn't come out until the arrival of the Team Car and 10T, etc along with other stuff liek the stealth tranny, etc.

I could be mistaken but C-clips are expressed by their outside diameter.

The bottom loaders continued onto the 1st generation CE and Graphite car until the Team cars came out. The CE still had them for a while after the Team cars came out... but they did change to top loaders before upgrading the transmission to the Stealth (on the CE).

I don't know the size of the clips, but am watching to find out who does.
Is there snap ring tool made small enough for those rings? I have a heck of a time getting them in and out without buggering up something.

it's almost like deja-vu all over again:
http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=964

There it is!

That's the post i searched for an hour to find! (only 3,000 posts with "shock" in them).

I have the same problem Anthony - my ring pliers are just too large, even with the smallest tip - and I always mess up something trying to remove the rings.


If the circlip measurements are defined by the O.D. - does that mean the "open" or the "compressed" O.D. ?

Guess I'll just take my one remaining circlip down to the hardware store and try to find some...

Oh, and Thanks temple et. al. for confirmation of the timeline.