RC Rebuild Checklist: What to Check Before Ordering Parts

Before ordering parts for an RC rebuild, confirm the exact vehicle, inspect the areas you plan to work on, and make a parts list from its manual. Separate items that need replacing from parts you can reuse and details you still need to check.

It is easy to buy a box of screws or bearings before knowing what the repair needs. A simple plan gives you something useful to compare with each product listing. This checklist from J-M SUPPLIES RC Parts Store focuses on that preparation, rather than a complete strip-down or cleaning procedure.

1. Decide what you are rebuilding

Start with the problem you want to solve. Is one wheel rough to turn? Are several screw heads damaged? Are you preparing a used vehicle for its first run with you? Write that down before choosing a kit.

Then list the parts of the vehicle you expect to open, such as a wheel hub, steering assembly or gearbox. A wheel hub is the part that supports the wheel and its bearings. Keep the scope manageable: a repair in one area does not automatically call for replacing every screw or bearing on the vehicle.

2. Make a short vehicle record

• Brand and full model name.
• Manufacturer model number and version. Include the generation or revision when shown.
• Changes from the original vehicle. Note replacement hubs, axles, chassis parts or other upgrades that may use different hardware.
• The matching manual and parts drawing. An exploded drawing shows the individual parts and where they belong.

Use the RC Model Compatibility Hub at J-M SUPPLIES RC Parts Store to find the model, then compare the actual product details. If the version is unclear, use the RC model help form before ordering. A similar name or the same vehicle scale is not enough to confirm a fit.

3. Inspect before adding parts to your shopping list

Follow your vehicle's instructions for making it safe to work on and for access to the assembly. For an electric vehicle, disconnect and remove the battery before maintenance. Clean away loose dirt using methods approved for your model so you can see the parts clearly.

Look for damaged screw heads, missing fasteners, visible corrosion, damaged bearing covers and parts that do not move as the manual describes. Record what you observe; avoid assuming that every noise or stiff wheel is caused by a bearing.

The Tekno SCT410 2.0 manual's bearing-maintenance section, for example, calls for inspecting the covers and checking how freely a bearing turns. It says a bearing that still will not turn freely after the specified cleaning may need replacing. That is guidance for that vehicle—not a universal cleaning method, service interval or kit-fitment claim.

Use the instructions for your exact vehicle and bearing type. Do not apply an unspecified solvent, force a bearing open or choose a lubricant from a generic checklist.

4. Turn the inspection into a parts list

For each item, write down:

• Location: which assembly it came from.
• Manual reference: its original part number and drawing or step.
• Description: the size, type and quantity the manual specifies.
• Decision: replace, reuse after the prescribed inspection, or ask for help.
• Coverage: whether the exact kit listing confirms that item is included.

Keep uncertain details marked as uncertain. For example, “front hub bearing—part number not yet confirmed” is a useful note. Ordering a bearing that merely looks similar does not resolve the missing information.

For screw-specific checks, read How to Choose the Right RC Screw Kit. It explains model matching, screw types, kit coverage and tool fit in more detail.

5. Keep screws, bearings and other small parts separate

Make three sections in your shopping list:

1. Screw hardware: the fasteners you have identified for the repair.
2. Bearings: the locations and bearing types your inspection and manual identify.
3. Other parts: any specific pins, clips, seals, spacers or damaged components the job requires.

Do not assume a screw kit includes bearings, or that a bearing kit includes the other small parts around them. 

J-M SUPPLIES RC Parts Store lists stainless screw kits, rubber-shielded bearing kits and metal-shielded bearing kits as separate choices. Match the exact listing to the work you are planning.

Check exclusions as carefully as the headline. Our RC product FAQs explain that standard RCScrewZ kits do not include machined collared screws or screw pins. These are special parts, not a reason to substitute an ordinary screw. Confirm the contents and coverage of the individual product before buying.

6. Prepare a way to keep parts in order

Set out a clean work area, small labelled containers and the correct tools. As you work through the manufacturer's steps, keep each assembly's hardware together and take clear photos before removing parts. Label similar-looking parts by location rather than relying on memory.

Keep the parts list beside the manual. If a removed part does not match the drawing, stop and check whether the vehicle has been modified or whether you have the correct manual. Resolve the difference before fitting a substitute.

Your before-ordering checklist

• I know the vehicle's exact model number and version.
• I have the matching manual and have noted relevant upgrades.
• I have identified the assemblies involved in this repair.
• Each item has a confirmed part reference, type and quantity—or is clearly marked for help.
• I have compared required items with the selected kit's contents and exclusions.
• I have the right tools and a way to keep removed parts organised.

A kit may be convenient when it covers several confirmed needs. For a small repair, you may only need specific replacement parts. Choose around the work you have identified, rather than the largest piece count.

RC rebuild planning questions

Do I need to replace every bearing during a rebuild?

There is no single answer for every vehicle or use. Follow the manufacturer's inspection and service guidance, then identify which bearings need attention. Do not treat a full kit as proof that every installed bearing is worn.

Can I order everything before taking the vehicle apart?

You can order parts whose identity and need are already confirmed. Some damage or missing details may only become clear during the manual's inspection steps. Keep those items off the confirmed order list until you can identify them.

Will a kit for the original vehicle cover my upgrades?

Do not assume it will. Check the instructions and hardware requirements for each changed component, as well as the kit listing. A kit's original-model coverage does not establish compatibility with every replacement part.

What should I do if I cannot identify a part?

Keep the part with its assembly, note the drawing or step, and take clear photos. Send your exact vehicle details and question through the RC model help form. Ask before ordering or installing a substitute.

Find the parts for your plan

Start with your vehicle record and the parts you have confirmed. Find your RC model at J-M SUPPLIES RC Parts Store, review the separate screw and bearing options, and compare each listing with your repair list. If a fit or included part is unclear, ask before buying.