If you’re looking to improve your offroad RC racing skills and get the most out of your offroad RC cars, understanding caster and kick-up adjustments is a must. In this blog post, we’ll break down the main takeaways from our detailed YouTube video by our very own Jacob Hardison. You’ll discover how making simple tweaks to these two components can enhance stability, steering, and handling on various track conditions—especially those challenging, bumpy courses we love to race on!

What Are Caster and Kick-Up in Offroad RC Racing?

Caster

In the context of offroad RC cars, caster refers to the angle of your front hub or caster block in relation to a vertical line drawn through the center of the tire. More specifically, it’s the tilt (lean) of your caster block from the lower pivot point to the upper pivot point.

  • More Caster (Leaning Back)

    • Greater straight-line stability

    • Reduced off-power steering (especially entering corners)

    • Smoother handling on bumpy tracks

  • Less Caster (Standing Up)

    • Quicker steering response

    • Increased off-power steering and overall front-end aggression

    • Potentially more “twitchy” feel, especially on higher-traction or smoother surfaces

Kick-Up

Kick-up is best visualized from the side of the car (wheel perspective). It’s determined by the angle created between the A-block and B-block, which are the front inner hinge pin holders for the suspension arms.

  • More Kick-Up (Higher A-block, Lower B-block)

    • Front end dives more under braking

    • Improves handling on rough or bumpy tracks

    • Generally reduces steering aggression (more stability, less twitchiness)

  • Less Kick-Up (Lower A-block, Higher B-block)

    • Front end dives less under braking

    • Increases steering response and overall front-end grip

    • Great for smooth, high-traction tracks but can feel nervous on rough surfaces


Why These Adjustments Matter for Offroad RC Cars

When competing in offroad RC racing, every small tweak can significantly impact how your RC buggy (or truck) behaves. Caster and kick-up often go hand in hand:

  1. Stability vs. Aggression:

    • Increasing caster and kick-up generally yields a more stable, less reactive ride—ideal for loose or bumpy conditions.

    • Decreasing caster and kick-up makes your car more responsive and “pointy,” which can be beneficial on high-traction, smooth tracks.

  2. Bumpy Track Advantage:

    • More caster and kick-up help the vehicle “float” over bumps, reducing unpredictable chassis movement.

    • Less caster or kick-up can make the front tires dig into bumps, increasing the likelihood of losing control.

  3. Cornering and Weight Transfer:

    • Adjusting kick-up changes how the front end reacts under braking and initial turn-in.

    • Tweaking caster alters the camber gain while steering, affecting how much of the tire’s contact patch remains on the ground in corners.


How to Adjust Caster and Kick-Up

Adjusting Caster

  • C-Hub (C-Hub Suspension):
    You often swap the entire caster block to change from, for example, 21° to 18° or 15°. This is a physical part replacement.

  • Pillow Ball (Pillow Ball Suspension):
    You can move the upper arm forwards or backwards via spacers/clips behind the shock tower, making minor or major changes to your caster angle.

Adjusting Kick-Up

  • Hinge Pin Blocks (A-Block & B-Block):

    • Many offroad RC cars use different inserts or blocks to set the angle between the two hinge pin holders.

    • Raising the front block or lowering the rear block increases kick-up (and often increases caster, too).

    • Reversing that relationship decreases kick-up.


When to Make These Changes

  1. Bumpy, Loamy, or Outdoor Tracks

    • Opt for more caster and more kick-up to enhance stability and keep the car composed over rough sections.

  2. Smooth, High-Grip Indoor Tracks

    • Consider less caster and less kick-up to maximize steering responsiveness and corner entry grip.

  3. Hybrid Conditions

    • Strike a balance by testing moderate settings until you find a sweet spot for stability versus aggression.


Watch the Full Video for a Visual Breakdown

Want to see these adjustments in action? Check out the full video by Jacob Hardis right here:

In the video, you’ll get an up-close look at the caster blocks and hinge pin angles. Plus, Jacob provides practical examples and explains exactly how these adjustments affect real-world handling in offroad RC racing.


Final Thoughts

Tuning your caster and kick-up is a crucial step in dialing in the perfect setup for your offroad RC cars. Whether you’re competing on a high-speed indoor track or bashing on a rough outdoor course, understanding how these angles affect stability, steering, and bump handling is key. Always remember to test different configurations and collect lap times and handling feedback—you might be surprised how much a few degrees of adjustment can transform your driving experience!

Ready to dominate your next race or practice session? Start experimenting with different caster and kick-up settings, and be sure to watch the full video to see Jacob’s tips in action. For more insights on offroad RC racing, stay tuned to our blog and subscribe to our favorite RC YouTubers for the latest tuning tips, track guides, and product reviews.

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