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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AX80018 Plastic Flanged Ball 3 x 5.8 x 7mm 16pcs Steering Knuckle Spacers
Axial
RRP £8.99Additional Information - Flanged Plastic Balls 3x5.8x7mm (16pcs) Keeping you suspension running smoothly for longer is key whether you are running a Wraith, EXO, SCX10 or the AX10. Always have a few packs of these in your tool box and replace as they...AX80018RRP £8.99 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
RC4WD 70mm King Off Road Scale shock Spring Choice Rates Shocks Tuner Z-S1123
RC4WD
MSRP: £18.49RRP £16.47Additional Information - 70mm King Scale Shock Spring AssortmentOptional spring rates for King 70mm shocks. Allow you to adjust your dampening for many applications. Specifications:Direct fit for King 70mm ShockEnough for One Pair Length: 0.86in /...Z-S1123MSRP: £18.49RRP £16.47 -
RC4WD Leaf Spring Shoulder Screws and nuts Trail Finder 2 TF2 BLACK Z-S0275
RC4WD
MSRP: £13.49RRP £12.99Additional Information - Leaf Spring Shoulder Screws (Black)These are the screws used in mounting your leaf springs on trucks. Specifications:CNC MachinedBlack Anodized CoatingDirect fit for Trail Finder 2What's Included:8x Leaf Spring Shoulder Screws...Z-S0275MSRP: £13.49RRP £12.99 -
Axial SCX10 OPTIONAL SPRINGS Fine tune your Trucks ride, will Fit ProLine Shocks[Large Long 40mm x 12.5mm,Medium (Green)
Axial
RRP £5.99Axial Springs Short or Long (2pc) also fit ProLine Power Stroke Shocks These are the tuning Springs for Axial - SCX10, Honcho, Dingo, CF100. These will aslo fit the ProLine Power Stroke Scaler Shocks 6060-00 and Axial alli shocks...AX30207RRP £5.99 -
Axial SCX10 OPTIONAL SPRINGS Fine tune your Trucks ride, will Fit ProLine Shocks[Small Short 20mm x 12.5mm,Firm (Yellow)
Axial
RRP £6.99Axial Springs Short or Long (2pc) also fit ProLine Power Stroke Shocks These are the tuning Springs for Axial - SCX10, Honcho, Dingo, CF100. These will aslo fit the ProLine Power Stroke Scaler Shocks 6060-00 and Axial alli shocks...AX30203RRP £6.99 -
Carisma GT14 R14 Shock Rebuild Kit for 4 Shocks CA14342 Regain smooth shocks
Carisma
RRP £2.29Carisma GT14 R14 Shock Rebuild Kit for 4 Shocks CA14342 This is the Shock rebuild Kit for GT14 and R14 range of Carisma Cars. This set includes everything to rebuild your four shocks - 4 Bladder caps & 16 O-rings. If you need...CA14342RRP £2.29 -
15mm (0.59") Internally Threaded Aluminum Link (Black) (4) Z-S1455 RC4WD M3 6mm
RC4WD
RRP £12.9930mm (1.18") Internally Threaded Aluminum Link (Black) (4)Specifications: Smooth Anodized Coating3mm Female Threading6mm Outside Diameter30mm (1.18") End to End Laser Etched Size Listed on Link What's...Z-S1455RRP £12.99 -
100mm (3.93") Internally Threaded Aluminum Link SILVER (4) Z-S1399 RC4WD M3 6mm
RC4WD
RRP £12.99Additional Information - 100mm (3.93") 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 Threading 6mm...Z-S1399RRP £12.99 -
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 -
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 -
Lower Spring Retainer 2 for King Offroad Shocks SILVER Spacer RC4WD Z-S0707 RC
RC4WD
RRP £10.49Additional Information - Lower Spring Retainer for King Offroad ShocksSpecifications:CNC MachinedWhat's Included:2x Lower Spring Retainer for King Offroad ShocksZ-S0707RRP £10.49 -
Suspension Link Set for RC4WD C2X Competition Truck Z-S2036 Links C 2X Steering
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RRP £21.49Additional Information - Suspension Link Set for RC4WD C2X Competition TruckSpecifications:CNC MachinedBillet AluminumBlack Anodized Finish?�Total Weight: 2.94oz / 83.5gShown installed on RC4WD C2X Class 2 Competition Truck w/ Mojave II 4 Door Body...Z-S2036RRP £21.49 -
RC4WD Lower Center & Threaded Spring Retainer M OD King Offroad Shocks Z-S1282
RC4WD
MSRP: £23.99RRP £19.99Additional Information - RC4WD Lower, Center and Threaded Spring Retainer for King Offroad ShocksSpecifications:CNC Machined King Shocks Logo on Center RingWeight: 0.26oz / 7.5gShown installed with RC4WD King Off-Road Dual Spring Shocks (100mm Medium OD)...Z-S1282MSRP: £23.99RRP £19.99 -
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 -
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 -
Lower Bottom Spring Retainer Holder Dual Spring Ver 2 Shocks G2 RC4WD Z-S1113
RC4WD
RRP £10.99Additional Information - Lower Spring Retainer for Dual Spring Ver 2 Shocks Specifications: CNC MachinedWeight: 0.1oz/3gWhat's Included:2x Lower Spring Retainer for Dual Spring Ver 2 Shocks Notes:These are replacement lower spring retainers for...Z-S1113RRP £10.99 -
Center Spring Retainer for Dual Spring Ver 2 Shocks G2 Galande D90 RC4WD Z-S1111
RC4WD
RRP £10.99Additional Information - Sizes ID is 9mm and them OD is 11 & 12mm due to the step.Center Spring Retainer for Dual Spring Ver 2 Shocks Specifications:CNC Machined Weight: 0.1oz/3gWhat's Included:2x Center Spring Retainer for Dual Spring Ver 2 Shocks...Z-S1111RRP £10.99 -
RC4WD Aluminum Black M3 Suspension Rod End with Steel Ball 1 Z-S0057
RC4WD
RRP £4.49Additional Information - Aluminum Black M3 Rod End with Steel Ball (1) Superior in durability and shiny finish! Made with advanced manufacturing technology! Specifications: Manufactured & Engineered by RC4WD USA Generation II Rod End technology...Z-S0057RRP £4.49 -
Element RC Enduro Rod Ends EL42040
Element RC
RRP £18.49Additional Information - ELEMENT RC ENDURO ROD ENDSEL42040RRP £18.49 -
Steering Links for Wide D44 Axles Z-S2027 RC4WD Axle link 170 74mm Set
RC4WD
MSRP: £13.49RRP £11.99Additional Information - Steering Links for Wide D44 AxlesSpecifications:CNC MachinedBillet AluminumSilver Anodized Finish�?�Total Weight: 1.57oz / 44.6gShown installed on RC4WD Carbon Assault 1/10th Monster Truck w/ Manticore Lexan Body Set (Z-RTR0041)...Z-S2027MSRP: £13.49RRP £11.99 -
20mm (0.79") Internally Threaded Aluminum Link (Red) (4) Z-S1417 RC4WD M3 6mm
RC4WD
RRP £12.99Additional Information - 20mm (0.79") Internally Threaded Aluminum Link (Red) (4)Photo shows various sizes available (you only get the size listed)Specifications: Smooth Anodized Coating Laser Etched sizes on the Link 3mm Female Threading 6mm Outside...Z-S1417RRP £12.99 -
15mm (.59") Aluminum Long Shiny SOLID Links (4) Z-S1404 RC4WD M3 10mm Thread
RC4WD
RRP £12.9915mm (.59") Aluminum Long Shiny Solid Links (4)Fit T-Maxx Rod Ends or RC4WD Aluminum M3 Rod Ends Specifications:Super Shiny Polished FinishCNC Machined by RC4WDM3 Threaded HolesDiameter: 1/4 (Links)***Length: Please refer to the product title for the...Z-S1404RRP £12.99 -
Aluminum 57mm (2.24") Long SOLID Links (4) Z-S1396 RC4WD M3 10mm Thread
RC4WD
RRP £3.49Aluminum 57mm (2.24") Long Solid Links (4) Much Stronger than Aluminum Links! Fit T-Maxx Rod Ends. Specifications:Super Shiny Polished Finish CNC Machined by RC4WDResists Rust and Corrosion M3 Threaded Shaft (10mm long) Diameter: 6mm -...Z-S1396RRP £3.49 -
73mm (2.87") Long Shiny SOLID Links (4) Z-S1394 RC4WD M3 10mm Thread G2 Bottom
RC4WD
RRP £12.99Additional Information - 73mm (2.87") Long Shiny Solid Links (4)Fit T-Maxx Rod Ends or RC4WD Aluminum M3 Rod Ends Specifications:Super Shiny Polished Finish CNC Machined by RC4WDM3 Threaded HolesDiameter: 6mm - .24 " (Links)***Length: Please refer...Z-S1394RRP £12.99 -
Aluminum 27mm (1.06") Long SOLID Links (4) Z-S1391 RC4WD M3 10mm Thread
RC4WD
RRP £12.99Aluminum 27mm (1.06") Long Solid Links (4) Much Stronger than Aluminum Links! Fit T-Maxx Rod Ends. Specifications: Super Shiny Polished Finish CNC Machined by RC4WD Resists Rust and Corrosion M3 Threaded Shaft (10mm Long) Diameter: 6mm - .24 "...Z-S1391RRP £12.99 -
RC4WD Rock Krawler Replacement 3/4 Link kit for Trail Finder 2 Z-S1486 RC4WD-UK
RC4WD
MSRP: £29.49RRP £19.99Additional Information - RC4WD Rock Krawler Replacement 3/4 Link kit for Trail Finder 2Complete replacement link set for the 3/4 link setup for your Trail Finder 2. Specifications:CNC MachinedBillet AluminumAnodized Black3mm Female ThreadingOD: 0.17in /...Z-S1486MSRP: £29.49RRP £19.99 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
Shock Cap for Top of King Offroad Shocks Z-S0866 RC4WD King Off Road BLUE Alli
RC4WD
MSRP: £15.99RRP £14.99Additional Information - Shock Cap for Top of King Offroad ShocksSpecifications: Machined Billet AluminumKing Logo Smooth Blue AnodizedWhat's Included:2x Shock Cap for Top of King Offroad Shocks2x O-RingsNotes:Fits RC4WD King Off-Road Scale Dual...Z-S0866MSRP: £15.99RRP £14.99 -
Axial Steering Suspension Links parts trees for SCX10 4 link Honcho or Dingo[AX10 RTR Suspension Links AX80016 Scorpion]
Axial
RRP £11.04Axial Steering and Suspension LinksYou can choose the link you need in this listing to replace those damaged or broken on your truck. There are options for all From Dingo to Honcho and even the steering links.Fits all Axial SCX10 chassis, CF100, Dingo,...AX80016RRP £11.04 -
Element RC FT Enduro Links 93mm EL42184
Element RC
RRP £8.49Additional Information - ELEMENT RC FT ENDURO LINKS 93MMThe Enduro links are now sold separately by length.FEATURESLinks are available in straight and high clearance (HC) geometryMade from high strength steelAll FT links are nickel plated with a...EL42184RRP £8.49