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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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 -
AX80018 Plastic Flanged Ball 3 x 5.8 x 7mm 16pcs Steering Knuckle Spacers
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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 -
Shock Parts Tree AX80032 for SCX10 Axial Shocks inc Spring Spacers bottom mount
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RRP £13.99Additional Information - Axial Shock Parts TreeAxial���s shock parts tree is worth having in your tool box - there is nothing worse than loosing a spring cup on the trail, and why not replace those worn rod ends too.Shock PartsMolded plastic shock parts...AX80032RRP £13.99 -
FLEXISHAFT Teflon Waterproof RC Grease for Model Boats 5ml
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RRP £3.99Flexishaft and Boat Grease With added Teflon this grease will last longer than many others Super Slick and made with Teflon® fluoropolymerst his high grade 100% synthetic oil grease coats all parts, preventing wear and distortion, even in...RCBflexGRRP £3.99 -
RC Shock GREASE 5ml for Silicone O-rings STOPS leaking great addition to toolbox
rc Bitz Ltd
RRP £3.99RC Silicon O-Ring Grease - an alternative to Team Associated Green Slim With the use of this item leaking RC shocks are a thing of the past **** SPECIAL PRICE **** All that is required is to add a small amount of this grease to you O-rings during...RCBGRRP £3.99 -
SERVO Gear Grease 5ml metal or plastic waterproofing shaft help makes gears last
rc Bitz Ltd
RRP £3.99Servo Grease for Gears With the use of this item you can reduce wear on you gears **** SPECIAL PRICE **** A Simple way to look after you servos - simply add a small amount of this to the internal gears, (metal or plastic) and seal the...RCBservoGRRP £3.99 -
Associated Green Slim 5ml alternative STOPS shocks leaking
rc Bitz Ltd
RRP £3.99RC Silicon O-Ring Grease - an alternative to Team Associated Green Slim With the use of this item leaking RC shocks are a thing of the past **** SPECIAL PRICE **** All that is required is to add a small amount of this grease to you O-rings during...RCBshockGRRP £3.99 -
King Off-Road Piggyback adjustable coil over Shocks 90mm SCX10 TF2 Z-D0033 RC4WD
RC4WD
MSRP: £55.49RRP £47.49Additional Information - Stock shock spring rate is 1.1RC4WD King Off-Road Scale Dual Spring Shocks (90mm)These are the all new Licensed Scale Shocks to hit the market and are officially Licensed from King Off-Road Shocks. These new shocks feature a ...Z-D0033MSRP: £55.49RRP £47.49 -
King Off-Road adjustable Dual Spring coil over Shocks 70mm TF2 Z-D0037 RC4WD RC
RC4WD
MSRP: £55.49RRP £47.49Additional Information - RC4WD King Off-Road Scale Dual Spring Shocks (70mm)These are the all new Licensed Scale Dual Spring Shocks to hit the market and are officially Licensed from King Off-Road Shocks. These new shocks feature a completely new...Z-D0037MSRP: £55.49RRP £47.49 -
Soft Steel Leaf Spring Trail Finder 2 4 Sets 25% softer MORE Flex RC4WD Z-S0518
RC4WD
MSRP: £40.99RRP £34.99Additional Information - 4x Soft Leaf Springs for Trail Finder 2These leaf springs are 25% softer than stock Tamiya High Lift Leaf Springs, which allows for more flex!Specifications:Super dubrable steel leaf SpringsStiff Spring increases payload...Z-S0518MSRP: £40.99RRP £34.99 -
Red Super Soft Flex Leaf Springs 4 RC4WD Trail Finder Direct replacement Z-S0570
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RRP £40.99Additional Information - 4x Red Edition Super Soft Flex Leaf SpringsOur new flex leaf springs are 35% softer than stock, manufactured out of high alloy spring steel. Offer more flex and improve articulation!Click here to read a review about these leaf...Z-S0570RRP £40.99 -
Rebuild Kit for King Off-Road ARB RRD Superlift Scale Shocks ALL SIZES one Pair Orings e-clips
RC4WD
MSRP: £13.49RRP £12.99Additional Information - Rebuild Kit for Scale King, ARB & Superlift ShocksThis is a universal shock rebuild kit for the dual spring and faux piggyback scale shocks. This works on all sizes of the scale King Shocks. Enough to rebuild a pair. What's...Z-S0788MSRP: £13.49RRP £12.99 -
RC4WD 80mm Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Sport Shock ARB Yellow G2 Gelande 2 Z-D0036
RC4WD
RRP £47.49Additional Information - RC4WD 80mm Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Sport Shock by ARBThis is the all new Licensed Scale Shock to hit the market. Licensed from ARB 4x4 Accessories. These new shocks feature a complete new design from the ground up and are...Z-D0036RRP £47.49 -
RC4WD 70mm Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Sport Shock ARB Yellow TF2 Scale Z-D0034 RC
RC4WD
MSRP: £47.49RRP £42.49Additional Information - RC4WD 70mm Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Sport Shocks by ARB This is the all new Licensed Scale Shock to hit the market. Licensed from ARB 4x4 Accessories. These new shocks feature a complete new design from the ground up and...Z-D0034MSRP: £47.49RRP £42.49 -
Ultimate Axle 4 Link Upper Suspension Mount K44 Trail Finder 2 TF2 Yota Z-S0133
RC4WD
MSRP: £34.49RRP £29.99Additional Information - Ultimate Axle 4 Link MountThis is the 4 Link Mount for the several Ultimate Scale Axles. This will allow you to turn many Axles from Leaf Spring setup to a 4 Link. Allowing your truck more articulation.Specifications:CNC...Z-S0133MSRP: £34.49RRP £29.99 -
RC4WD Axle U Bolt fitting Kit for Leaf Springs Yota II G2 Gelande II 1 axle set Z-S0304
RC4WD
RRP £40.99Additional Information - Axle U Bolt KitSpecifications:CNC Machined PartsEngineered by RC4WDShown installed with RC4WD Yota II Ultimate Scale Cast Axle (Rear) (Z-A0081) and RC4WD Soft Steel Leaf Spring for Trail Finder 2 (Z-S0518) for example (Not...Z-S0304RRP £40.99 -
RC4WD M3 Long Straight Plastic Rod End x20 27.8mm Suspension Link Ball ends Z-S0403
RC4WD
RRP £11.99Additional Information - M3 Long Straight Plastic Rod End (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: 27.8mm...Z-S0403RRP £11.99 -
RC4WD Superlift Suspension Lift Block Set BLACk Leaf springs TF2 Metal Z-S0834
RC4WD
MSRP: £16.49RRP £14.99Additional Information - RC4WD Superlift Suspension Lift Block SetSpecifications:CNC Machined AluminumSmooth Black Anodized3 Sizes (2mm, 4mm, and 6mm)Direct fit to most Leaf Spring Axles (RC4WD and Tamiya)What's Included:2x 2mm Lift Block2x 4mm Lift...Z-S0834MSRP: £16.49RRP £14.99 -
50mm 1.97" Internally Threaded Aluminum Suspension steering Link Bar Z-S0884
RC4WD
RRP £5.2550mm (1.97") Internally Threaded Aluminum Link (Black)Specifications:Smooth Anodized Coating3mm Female Threading6mm Outside Diameter50mm (1.97") End to EndLaser Etched Size Listed on LinkWhat's Included:1x 50mm (1.97") Internally Threaded Aluminum Link...Z-S0884RRP £5.25 -
FRONT Shock Suspension Hoops Absorber Mounts Mounting Gelande 2 G2 RC4WD Z-S0798
RC4WD
MSRP: £26.49RRP £21.99Additional Information - Front Shock Hoops for Gelande 2 ChassisSpecifications: CNC MachinedBlack Anodized What's Included:2x Front Shock Hoops for Gelande 2 ChassisNotes:These can be used on TF2. They have 2 mounting positions...Z-S0798MSRP: £26.49RRP £21.99 -
Super Scale Shock Boots YELLOW 4 RUBBER Absorber Covers ARB EMU RC4WD Z-S0962
RC4WD
RRP £11.99Additional Information - Super Scale Shock Boot (Yellow)Shock Boots protect exposed shock absorber shafts against flying rocks, dirt, and mud, while enhancing the appearance of your suspension.Specification: Quality Rubber...Z-S0962RRP £11.99 -
Super Scale Shock Boots RED 4 RUBBER Absorber Covers RC4WD Boot TOY Z-S0948
RC4WD
RRP £11.99Additional Information - PLEASE NOTE these are a Toy Model item and not for a full sized truck.Super Scale Shock Boot (Red)Specifications: Quality Rubber MaterialFlexible Accordion StyleMade to fit Multiple Shocks LengthsPerfect fit...Z-S0948RRP £11.99 -
Rock Krawler 4 Link Package Axial Jeep Rubicon SCX10 Long wheelbase Honcho TOY Z-S0939
RC4WD
MSRP: £19.99RRP £17.99Additional Information - RC4WD Rock Krawler 4 Link package for Axial Jeep RubiconThe new Rock Krawler 4 Link package is just what you need to top off your Axial Jeep Rubicon. It is a replica of the same 1:1 links offered by Rock Krawler. The 4 Link bars...Z-S0939MSRP: £19.99RRP £17.99 -
Rebuild Kit Dual Spring Ver 2 Shocks King Off Road O-rings Washers RC4WD Z-S1108
RC4WD
RRP £12.99Additional Information - Rebuild Kit for Dual Spring Ver 2 ShocksThis is a universal shock rebuild kit for the dual spring shocks. This works on all sizes of the scale Dual Spring Ver 2 shocks. Enough to rebuild a pair. What's Included:6x Large O-Ring...Z-S1108RRP £12.99 -
10mm Shock Parts Tree 2 Axial 3 ROD lengths Cups Spacers Wraith EXO Shocks
Axial
MSRP: £11.99RRP £9.99Additional Information - Axial 10mm Shock Parts Tree • 10mm hock parts tree 2 • Molded lastic • Includes 3 different length rod ends, lower spring ups and spacers • Compatible with Wraith, Ridgecrest and EXO Will work with AX30091...AX80034MSRP: £11.99RRP £9.99