There are many ways to assemble a chassis. This way works well when using an aluminum chassis.
The first step is to remove the original body posts.
Axle spacers help keep wheels in line with the chassis. And the chassis in line with the body. It’s good to have a variety of sizes available.
Install all four bearings (or bushings) with the flange on the outside of the chassis for the purpose of mounting the body posts. (The rear bearings are later removed and reinstalled on the inside of the chassis at the time of final assembly)
Spacers are installed to take up all the end play. The tires are locked into the body. The body and chassis can’t possibly be missaligned unless the body or tires are off. Always use the largest spacers, and the least number of spacers to prevent a possible spring/spacer effect.
Laying the chassis and body on the tech block shows that the body sits far too low. The body posts are measured, sanded down by hand, and tested several times until the preferred body height is reached.
So now the body sits at almost the right height. It will move up 1mm from where it is once the steel and urethane washers are added.
However, the body rocks back and forth on the posts. Precise spacers are made up from 3-cleaned, new razor blades. They straddle the rocker panels on both sides and provide a very even surface for the body to sit flat to the tech block. Now the body is as flat to the chassis, as the rocker panels can provide.
Raising the body created end play between the tires and body. I will need to go back and add axle spacers on all 4-corners to take up the play.
Once the axle spacers are installed and the body sits snug and flat. The body needs to be scratched up where the epoxy/body posts will sit. Mix the epoxy. Apply it to the body, then a small dab on the posts. Sit the body on the chassis making sure the wheels/tires don’t sit too far forward or back in the wheel wells.
Install the steel and urethane washers. Then remove the extra axle spacers as needed until the tires no longer rub on the body while flexing the body float.
The next step will be installing the motor, cutting axles to size, and installing the drive gears.