Whether you're bashing with a ready-to-run vehicle or competing with a high-end race kit, building your pillow ball uprights correctly is crucial for maximizing performance and minimizing wear on your RC car. In this week’s Tech Tip, Jacob Hardison walks us through the step-by-step process to properly assemble a steering upright with pillow balls — and avoid one of the most common mistakes we see in builds.
📺 Watch the full tutorial here:
Why Proper Installation Matters
If your pillow balls are installed too tightly, it can cause serious issues:
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Binding in the suspension, which affects how freely your car handles bumps and corners.
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Sticky steering, making it hard for your vehicle to return to center or steer smoothly.
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Excessive wear on parts like the upright, pillow balls, and even your steering servo.
This can result in poor handling on the track or during bashing sessions — and even shorten the life of your components.
What You’ll Need
All you need to do this job right is a:
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5mm hex driver (preferably with a lip or ledge to prevent the set screw from slipping)
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Or an L wrench (with a bit of tape added behind the screw to mimic that stop)
Step-by-Step Assembly
1. Install the Upper Pillow Ball
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Drop the pillow ball into the upright.
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Insert the plastic bushing (typically shaped like a top hat) with the wider side going in.
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Thread in the set screw as level as possible — crooked installation can cause uneven binding.
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Tighten until the pillow ball won’t move, then slowly back it out until the pillow ball drops freely and smoothly.
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Check for a slight amount of play (in and out). This ensures free movement without being loose.
2. Repeat for the Lower Pillow Ball
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Same process: insert the pillow ball, plastic bushing, and retaining screw.
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Make sure the screw threads in flat and straight.
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Tighten, then back off until the pillow ball moves freely.
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Confirm a small amount of play and zero binding.
Final Check
When done properly, both pillow balls should move freely with no resistance, and you should see smooth suspension travel and responsive steering with just a bit of slop — exactly what you want for optimal performance.
Wrap-Up
This isn’t a complex job, but it’s easy to get wrong — and it makes a huge difference in how your car handles. Whether you’re prepping for race day or building your next basher, don’t skip this step.
💬 Have questions or want to see more build tips? Drop a comment on the YouTube video, and let us know what you want covered next!
🛠️ For more RC tips, head over to our Tech Tips section.
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Adrenaline RC Racing
Real RC. It’s What We Do.