Suspension, Shocks, Springs etc
How To: Shock absorber basics and oil change
You know it’s time to change the oils in your shocks when you notice there isn’t enough oil or when you’re making changes to the damping setup or when the shocks are damaged and require taking apart. In any case, the shock oils should be changed 2–3 times during a season. The properties of the oils might fade or change over time. One problem is dirt and dust that gets into the shocks especially when driving in dusty conditions. When there’s dirt in the oils, the seals and other parts of the shocks will wear down faster compared to driving with clean oils.
When you’re changing the oils, start by removing the shock and cleaning it carefully. By cleaning the shock, you can make sure no sand grains or other particles will remain the shock that can damage it from the inside.
Do the following:
- Remove the shocks.
- Remove the spring from the shock to make handling easier.
- When cleaning the shock, also clean under the rubber boot on the shock shaft, if there is one.
Now, empty the shocks. You can use a single-use cup and place a paper towel in the bottom that will absorb the oil in itself. Remove the cap from the shock and place it on a paper towel. Now, pour the oil from the shock in the cup. Move the shock shaft up and down a couple of times to remove oil from under the piston. When most of the oil is removed, place the shock upside down on a paper towel so the remaining oil will come out. Do the same with the other shocks.
- If the oil that’s come out of the shock is dirty (dark and thick like jelly), remove and clean the seals at the bottom of the shock and rebuild the shock. By cleaning the seals, you can make sure the dirty oil containing sand and metal particles won’t wear down the shocks.
- If the oil that comes out of the shock is still “normal”, i.e. runny and transparent, it’ll be enough to clean the cylinder with a rolled-up piece of paper towel. Clean the cap as well and if you’re using caps with bladders, check the condition of the bladder and that it fits properly.
Now, you can add the oil. I’d recommend using a work stand to keep the shocks upright during the assembly.
- Pull the whole shock shaft out of the shock body before adding the oil.
- Fill the shock about halfway.
- Now, move the piston in the oil so that all the air gets out. Wait for a moment and move the piston again.
- Next, add more oil until it’s 1-2 mm from the top of the cylinder.
- Move the piston up and down and let them sit on the desk until all the air bubbles in the oil has disappeared.
The right way to proceed depends on the type of the shock. With all shock types, it’s essential that the shock is in an upright position so that the air bubbles can move right upwards.
There are several different cap types:
Emulsion shocks:
Air is allowed to mix with the oil. With this type of shocks, it’s particularly important to make sure there is no air in the shock when the shaft is pushed all the way up.
There are several types of caps for emulsion shocks
With the Bleeder type, the air is removed using the bleeding screw on the cap.
With the other cap types, the excess oil and air will come out through the threading on the cap.
Bleeder Cap on the left and without on the right
With both cap types, fill the shock cylinder up to the brim to make sure the space inside the cap will also fill up and any extra oil can come out.
- Fill the cylinder
- Prepare the caps: Remove the screw from the bleeder cap. Place seals
With bleeder screw. Screw in the cap. Screw in tightly using moderate force. Now, push in the shock shaft and the air and excess oil should come out of the bleeding screw hole. When you see that all excessive oil came out, you’ll know there’s only oil left in the shock. Screw the bleeding screw back in. Compress the shaft a few times. If there’s clear signs of air still in the shock, add more oil and try removing the air again.
If there’s no bleeding screw, fill the shock all the way up with oil. Before screwing on the cap, you can add a few drops of oil in the cap. Now screw in the cap loosely and carefully move the shaft all the way in. All excess oil and air should come out through the threading on the cap. Hold the shaft in and tighten the cap to get rid of the remaining excess oil. Now, compress the shock a couple of times and see if there is still air in the shaft.
There should be no rebound on an emulsion shock, i.e., when the piston is pushed all the way in it shouldn’t move outwards by itself once it’s released. It’s essential to have similar reaction in both shocks at one end (front/rear) of the car, so their functioning would be identical on both the left and right side.
Bladder shocks
If you’re using bladder caps, building the shock is similar to that in emulsion shocks without bleeder caps. Fill the cap with oil up to 1–2 mm from the brim, not all the way up because the bladder takes some space in the cap. With bladder caps you can adjust the rebound to make damping more progressive – the longer the shock travels, the stiffer it gets. A bladder will also keep the oil from foaming which makes the car move more smoothly during a longer drive.
When it comes to building, the only difference to emulsion shocks is that the rebound can be adjusted by how much of the piston shaft you push in before screwing the cap on.
- The farther you push the shaft in, the less you’ll have rebound.
- So, if you push the shaft all the way in, there’s no rebound and the shock works like an emulsion shock.
Adjust the rebound the way you want and hold it against the desk while you screw the cap on so the shaft won’t move outwards. When both shocks are ready, pump the shocks a couple times. Do the same on both shocks and check that the shaft comes back out the same on both shocks. If the one of them comes out more, there’s too much oil in it. Or if it doesn’t come out enough, there’s too little oil in it.
Tip! You get a suitable amount of rebound for a basic setup when you leave about 1/3 of the shaft out. You can build the shock with the shaft pushed all the way up. Both will result in a smooth and neutral outcome.
Note! See, however, that the shock shaft doesn’t damage the bladder and the shaft doesn’t squeeze up the bladder.
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RC4WD Shock Ball Rod Ends for ALL King Off-Road Shocks Z-S1818 off road Ally TOY
RC4WD
MSRP: £15.99RRP £14.49Additional Information - RC4WD Shock Ends for King Off-Road ShocksHaving some trouble getting your King shocks to fit your project? Not anymore! Use these new RC4WD shock ends to extend the length of your King Off-Road shocks to better fit your...Z-S1818MSRP: £15.99RRP £14.49 -
Replacement Shock Shafts King Dual Spring Shocks 120mm Med OD Z-S1283 RC4WD
RC4WD
MSRP: £13.49RRP £11.99Additional Information - Replacement Shock Shafts for King Dual Spring Shocks (120mm)Specifications:Steel MaterialCNC MachinedLength: 2.45in / 62mmOD: 0.16in / 4mmTotal OD: 0.2in / 5mmHead OD: 0.12in / 3mmE-Clip Size: 0.1in / 2.5mmThread Size: M3 Thread...Z-S1283MSRP: £13.49RRP £11.99 -
Replacement Shock Shafts King Dual Spring Shocks 110mm Med OD Z-S1281 RC4WD
RC4WD
MSRP: £13.49RRP £11.99Additional Information - Replacement Shock Shafts for King Dual Spring Shocks (110mm)Specifications:Steel MaterialCNC MachinedLength: 2.25in / 57mmOD: 0.16in / 4mmTotal OD: 0.2in / 5mmHead OD: 0.12in / 3mmE-Clip Size: 0.1in / 2.5mmThread Size: M3 Thread...Z-S1281MSRP: £13.49RRP £11.99 -
RC4WD Shock Cap for Top of King Offroad Shocks MEDIUM OD Z-S1280 RC4WD Pair
RC4WD
MSRP: £15.99RRP £14.49Additional Information - RC4WD Shock Cap for Top of King Offroad ShocksSpecifications:CNC Machined King LogoBall Width: 0.25in / 6.3mmBall Lip Diameter: 0.19in / 4.8mmBall ID: 0.12in / 3mmTotal Weight: 0.17oz / 5gShown installed with RC4WD King Off-Road...Z-S1280MSRP: £15.99RRP £14.49 -
Replacement Shock Shafts King Dual Spring Shocks 100mm Med OD Z-S1279 RC4WD
RC4WD
RRP £13.49Additional Information - Replacement Shock Shafts for King Dual Spring Shocks (100mm)Specifications:Steel MaterialCNC MachinedLength: 2.05in / 52mmOD: 0.16in / 4mmTotal OD: 0.2in / 5mmHead OD: 0.12in / 3mmE-Clip Size: 0.1in / 2.5mmThread Size: M3 Thread...Z-S1279RRP £13.49 -
Replacement Shock Shafts King Dual Spring Shocks 80mm Med OD Z-S1275 RC4WD
RC4WD
RRP £13.49Additional Information - Replacement Shock Shafts for King Dual Spring Shocks (80mm)Specifications:Steel MaterialCNC MachinedLength: 1.65in / 42mmOD: 0.16in / 4mmTotal OD: 0.2in / 5mmHead OD: 0.12in / 3mmE-Clip Size: 0.1in / 2.5mmThread Size: M3 Thread...Z-S1275RRP £13.49 -
Rebuild Kit for King Off-Road Dual Spring Shocks Z-S1263 RC4WD off road 1 pair
RC4WD
MSRP: £13.49RRP £11.99Additional Information - Rebuild Kit for King Off-Road Dual Spring ShocksThis is a shock rebuild kit for the Dual Spring scale shocks. This works on all sizes of the Dual Spring King Shocks. Enough to rebuild one pair. Specifications:PlasticRubber...Z-S1263MSRP: £13.49RRP £11.99 -
Replacement Shock Shafts King Dual Spring Shocks 90mm Med OD Z-S1277 RC4WD
RC4WD
MSRP: £13.49RRP £9.99Additional Information - Replacement Shock Shafts for King Dual Spring Shocks (90mm)Specifications:Steel MaterialCNC MachinedLength: 1.85in / 47mmOD: 0.16in / 4mmTotal OD: 0.2in / 5mmHead OD: 0.12in / 3mmE-Clip Size: 0.1in / 2.5mmThread Size: M3 Thread...Z-S1277MSRP: £13.49RRP £9.99 -
King Off-Road Short Course Racing Shocks Replacement Shaft 90mm Z-S1037 RC4WD
RC4WD
MSRP: £11.99RRP £9.99Additional Information - King Off-Road Short Course Racing Shocks Replacement Shaft (90mm)What's Included:2x King Off-Road Short Course Racing Shocks Replacement Shaft (90mm)Notes:Fits RC4WD King Off-Road Short Course Racing Shocks (Slash Front) (90mm)...Z-S1037MSRP: £11.99RRP £9.99 -
King Off-Road Short Course Racing Shocks Replacement top Cap Z-S1035 RC4WD
RC4WD
RRP £15.49Additional Information - These DO NOT fit the stock Axial Bomber shocks, you need AX31430.King Off-Road Short Course Racing Shocks Replacement CapSpecifications:CNC MachinedKing Logo What's Included:2x King Off-Road Short Course Racing Shocks Replacement...Z-S1035RRP £15.49 -
SSD M3 M4 Plastic Rod Ends (10) SSD00116 17mm M3 Ball M4 Shaft Suspension Link
SSD
RRP £4.99Additional Information - DESCRIPTION Part No. SSD00116 M4/M3 Plastic Rod Ends FEATURES Injection...SSD00116RRP £4.99 -
RC4WD Spring Assortment for King Off-Road Short Course Shocks Rear 110mm Z-S1545
RC4WD
MSRP: £15.49RRP £11.99Additional Information - RC4WD Spring Assortment for King Off-Road Short Course Shocks (Rear 110mm)Optional spring rates for King short course 110mm shocks. Allow you to adjust your dampening for many applications. Specifications: Direct fit for King...Z-S1545MSRP: £15.49RRP £11.99 -
70mm 2.75" Aluminum Link for Gelande 2 RC4WD G2 Z-S0819 Servo Arm PanHard Bar
RC4WD
RRP £8.99Additional Information - 70mm (2.75") Aluminum Link for Gelande 2Specifications: 70mm (2.75") End to EndLength: 2.75in / 70mmDiameter: 0.23in / 6mmScrew Holes: M3 What's Included:1x 70mm (2.75") Aluminum Link for...Z-S0819RRP £8.99 -
RC4WD 120mm King Off-Road Dual Spring Shock Assortment Rate Tuner M OD Z-S1293
RC4WD
MSRP: £18.49RRP £15.99Additional Information - RC4WD 120mm King Off-Road Dual Spring Shocks Spring AssortmentOptional spring rates for King Dual Spring 120mm shocks. Allow you to adjust your dampening for many applications. Specifications:Direct fit for King Off-Road Dual...Z-S1293MSRP: £18.49RRP £15.99 -
RC4WD 110mm King Off-Road Dual Spring Shock Spring Assortment Rate Tuner Z-S1291
RC4WD
MSRP: £18.49RRP £15.99Additional Information - RC4WD 110mm King Off-Road Dual Spring Shocks Spring AssortmentOptional spring rates for King Dual Spring 110mm shocks. Allow you to adjust your dampening for many applications. Specifications:Direct fit for King Off-Road Dual...Z-S1291MSRP: £18.49RRP £15.99 -
RC4WD 90mm King Off-Road Dual Spring Shocks MEDIUM Assortment Rate Tuner Z-S1287
RC4WD
MSRP: £18.49RRP £15.99Additional Information - RC4WD 90mm King Off-Road Dual Spring Shocks Spring AssortmentOptional spring rates for King Dual Spring 90mm shocks. Allow you to adjust your dampening for many applications. Specifications:Direct fit for King Off-Road Dual 90mm...Z-S1287MSRP: £18.49RRP £15.99 -
RC4WD 80mm King Off-Road Dual Spring Shocks Assortment Rate Tuner Z-S1285 MEDIUM OD
RC4WD
MSRP: £18.49RRP £15.99Additional Information - RC4WD 80mm King Off-Road Dual Spring Shocks Spring AssortmentOptional spring rates for King 80mm shocks. Allow you to adjust your dampening for many applications. Specifications:Direct fit for King Off-Road Dual 80mm Spring...Z-S1285MSRP: £18.49RRP £15.99 -
RC4WD Rock Krawler Extended Length Aluminum Links Axial Wraith +19mm Z-S0770
RC4WD
MSRP: £20.99RRP £17.99Additional Information - RC4WD Rock Krawler Extended Length Aluminum Links for Axial Wraith Specifications: Smooth Anodized Coating Laser Etched Logo on Each Link 3mm Female Threading 6mm Outside Diameter Uses Plastic Rod End Z-S0833 Extends Wheel...Z-S0770MSRP: £20.99RRP £17.99 -
Axial SPRING 14 x 70mm 3.27lbs/in FIRM YELLOW 2 RR10 Bomber Wraith AX30221 XR10
Axial
RRP £9.99Additional Information - AXIAL SPRING 14 X 70MM 3,27LB/ IN (2) FIRM YELLOWAX30221RRP £9.99 -
M3 HD Plastic Rod Ends for Trailing Arms Larger & stronger than normal x5 SSD00050
SSD
RRP £2.99Additional Information - DESCRIPTION Part No. SSD00050 M3 HD Plastic Rod Ends for Trailing Arms FEATURES ...SSD00050RRP £2.99 -
M3 Bent Plastic Rod Ends 10 Injection black rod end Axial Width Balls SSD00023
SSD
RRP £3.99Additional Information - DESCRIPTION Part No. SSD00023 M3 Bent Plastic Rod Ends Injection molded black plastic rod end ...SSD00023RRP £3.99 -
Replacement Shock Shafts for King Off Road Shocks 70mm RC4WD Z-S0787 Shaft 2
RC4WD
RRP £12.99Additional Information - Replacement Shock Shafts for King Shocks (70mm)What's Included:2x Replacement Shock Shafts for King Shocks (70mm)Optional Parts:RC4WD King Off-Road Scale Dual Spring Shocks (70mm) (Z-D0037)Z-S0787RRP £12.99 -
Replacement Shock Shafts for King Off Road Shocks 80mm RC4WD Z-S0786 Shaft 2
RC4WD
MSRP: £13.49RRP £12.99Additional Information - Replacement Shock Shafts for King Shocks (80mm)What's Included:2x Replacement Shock Shafts for King Shocks (80mm)Optional Parts:RC4WD King Off-Road Scale Dual Spring Shocks (80mm) (Z-D0035)Z-S0786MSRP: £13.49RRP £12.99 -
Replacement Shock Shafts for King Off Road Shocks 90mm RC4WD Z-S0785 Shaft 2
RC4WD
MSRP: £13.49RRP £12.99Additional Information - Replacement Shock Shafts for King Shocks (90mm)What's Included:2x Replacement Shock Shafts for King Shocks (90mm)Optional Parts:RC4WD King Off-Road Scale Dual Spring Shocks (90mm) (Z-D0033)Z-S0785MSRP: £13.49RRP £12.99 -
Replacement Shock Shafts for King Off Road Shocks 100mm RC4WD Z-S0784 Shaft 2
RC4WD
RRP £13.49Additional Information - Replacement Shock Shafts for King Shocks (100mm)What's Included:2x Replacement Shock Shafts for King Shocks (100mm)Optional Parts:RC4WD King Off-Road Scale Piggyback Shocks w/Faux Reservoir (100mm) (Z-D0031)Z-S0784RRP £13.49 -
80mm 3.15" Threaded Aluminum Link SILVER 4 Steering suspension Z-S1405 RC4WD
RC4WD
RRP £14.49Additional Information - Thread depth 15mm80mm (3.15") Internally Threaded Aluminum Link (Silver) (4)Photo shows various sizes available (you only get the size listed)Specifications: Smooth Anodized Coating Laser Etched sizes on the Link 3mm Female...Z-S1405RRP £14.49 -
100 mm King Off-Road Dual Shock TUNER Spring Shocks Assortment MEDIUM OD Z-S1289
RC4WD
MSRP: £18.49RRP £15.99Additional Information - RC4WD 100mm King Off-Road Dual Spring Shocks Spring AssortmentOptional spring rates for King 100mm shocks. Allow you to adjust your dampening for many applications. Specifications:Direct fit for King Off-Road Dual 100mm Spring...Z-S1289MSRP: £18.49RRP £15.99 -
M3 Medium Straight Plastic Rod Ends w/ Axial Width Metal Balls 20 RC4WD Z-S0947
RC4WD
MSRP: £11.99RRP £10.49M3 Medium Straight Plastic Rod Ends w/ Axial Width Balls (20x)This rod end is an all new advanced plastic compound from RC4WD. These are a much better product than our previous material and will hold a great deal better. Specifications:Length: 24mm...Z-S0947MSRP: £11.99RRP £10.49 -
M2.5 E-clip 10 retainer e clips RC4WD Z-S0937 Kind Ultimate shocks M 2.5 RC
RC4WD
MSRP: £7.49RRP £6.99Additional Information - M2.5 E-clip (10)Specifications:OD: 0.23in / 5.8mmThickness: 0.015in / 0.4mmCombined Weight: 0.07oz / 2g What's Included:10x M2.5 E-clip (Black)Z-S0937MSRP: £7.49RRP £6.99 -
AXIAL M3x6mm Tapping hex Socket Button Head Black 10 AXA433 SCX10 Lockout
Axial
RRP £5.50Additional Information - Genuine Axial factory hardware is built to last. Comes with a precision hex head for the best fit which helps prevent stripping.• M3x6mm Tapping Hex Socket Button Head - Black (10pcs)• Precision hex head for the best...AXA433RRP £5.50 -
Axial M3 x 16mm Set Grub Screw BLACK 10 Suspension Steering Links AXA186 RC
Axial
RRP £5.50Additional Information - Genuine Axial factory hardware is built to last. Comes with a precision hex head for the best fit which helps prevent stripping.• M3x16mm Set Screw (Black) (10pcs) • Precision hex head for the best fit which helps...AXA186RRP £5.50 -
AXA1331 Steel Flanged Ball 3 x 5.8x 7mm 6 VERY Durable replaces AX80018 Eyes RC
Axial
RRP £8.99Additional Information - The length is 7mm the balls are 5.8mm diameter.Flanged Ball 3x5.8x7mm (6pcs)Keeping you suspension running smoothly for longer is key whether you are running a Wraith, EXO, SCX10 or the AX10. There has now been no better or...AXA1331RRP £8.99 -
Axial Threaded Aluminium Pipe Link Suspension 7 x 94mm GREY Gray 2 AX30720
Axial
RRP £10.19Fits AX80057Linkage Set and AX80059 Lower Link Slider Set (Front Lower link on XR10).AX30720RRP £10.19 -
Replacement Shock Shafts for King Off Road Shocks 110mm Pair RC4WD Z-S0783
RC4WD
MSRP: £13.49RRP £12.99Additional Information - Replacement Shock Shafts for King Shocks (110mm)What's Included:2x Replacement Shock Shafts for King Shocks (110mm)Optional Parts:RC4WD King Off-Road Scale Piggyback Shocks w/Faux Reservoir (110mm) (Z-D0030)Z-S0783MSRP: £13.49RRP £12.99 -
Center Spring Retainer for King Offroad Shocks Metal BLUE RC4WD Z-S0706 RC Toy
RC4WD
MSRP: £18.49RRP £9.99Additional Information - Center Spring Retainer for King Offroad ShocksSpecifications:CNC MachinedKing LogoSmooth Blue AnodizedWhat's Included:2x Center Spring Retainer for King Offroad ShocksZ-S0706MSRP: £18.49RRP £9.99 -
100mm Rock Krawler RRD Shock Tuner Spring Assortment x4 RC4WD Z-S1187 RC
RC4WD
RRP £18.49Additional Information - RC4WD 100mm Rock Krawler Shock Spring AssortmentSpecifications:Direct fit for Rock Krawler 100mm ShockEnough for One PairLength: 1.53in / 39mmRate "Blue" OD: 0.59in / 15.2mmRate "Red" OD: 0.57in / 14.6mmRate "White" OD: 0.56in /...Z-S1187RRP £18.49 -
Shock Ball End for Bottom of Rock Krawler RRD Shock Mount x2 RC4WD Z-S1186 RC
RC4WD
RRP £11.99Additional Information - Shock Ball End for Bottom of Rock Krawler RRD ShockSpecifications:CNC Machined AluminumSmooth Black Anodized Finish Total Weight: 0.14oz / 4gShown installed on RC4WD Rock Krawler RRD Emulsion Scale Dual Spring Shocks (100mm)...Z-S1186RRP £11.99 -
Lower, Center and Threaded Spring Retainer for Rock Krawler RRD Shocks Z-S1184
RC4WD
MSRP: £26.49RRP £14.99Additional Information - Lower, Center and Threaded Spring Retainer for Rock Krawler RRD ShocksSpecifications: CNC Machined AluminumEnough for 2 ShocksTotal Weight: 0.24oz / 7gShown installed on RC4WD Rock Krawler RRD Emulsion Scale Dual Spring Shocks...Z-S1184MSRP: £26.49RRP £14.99 -
Internal Springs Superlift 100mm Shocks Tuner Spring RC4WD Z-S1183 Super Lift
RC4WD
RRP £11.99Additional Information - Internal Springs for Superlift 100mm ShocksOptional spring rates for Superlift 70mm shocks. Allows you to adjust your dampening for many applications. Specifications:Direct fit for Superlift ShocksEnough for 4 ShocksOuter...Z-S1183RRP £11.99 -
Shock Cap for Top of Rock Krawler RRD Shocks x2 RC4WD Z-S1182 BLACK RC Mount
RC4WD
MSRP: £13.49RRP £12.99Additional Information - RC4WD Shock Cap for Top of Rock Krawler RRD ShocksSpecifications:CNC Machined AluminumSmooth Black AnodizedRock Krawler LogoTotal Weight:0.24oz / 7gShown installed on RC4WD Rock Krawler RRD Emulsion Scale Dual Spring Shocks...Z-S1182MSRP: £13.49RRP £12.99