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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10 Aluminum Black M3 Rod End w/ Steel Ball 28mm long RC4WD Z-S1420 Suspension
RC4WD
MSRP: £27.49RRP £22.99Additional Information - Aluminum Black M3 Rod End with Steel Ball (10)Superior in durability and shiny finish! Made with advanced manufacturing technology!Specifications:Manufactured & Engineered by RC4WD USAGeneration II Rod End technology28mm Long...Z-S1420MSRP: £27.49RRP £22.99 -
RC4WD Rock Krawler RRD Emulsion Scale Dual Spring Alluminium Shocks 90mm Z-D0052
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MSRP: £55.49RRP £47.49Additional Information - These can be oil filled.RC4WD Rock Krawler RRD Emulsion Scale Dual Spring Shocks (90mm)Specifications:CNC MachinedBillet AluminumSmooth Black AnodizedRock Krawler Logo on TopDual Spring DesignHole to Hole (Compressed): 2.55in /...Z-D0052MSRP: £55.49RRP £47.49 -
Bully 2 II Lightweight Competition Crawler Front Axle MOA Z-A0012 40.75:1 14t
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RRP £244.99Additional Information - M2.5 x 6mm x14 Z-S0855 M3 x 6mm x4 Z-S0651 M2.5 x 8mm x 2 Z-S0829 M3 x 10mm x10 Z-S0653 M3 x 8mm x 2 Z-S0652Bully 2 Competition Crawler Front AxleBuilt on Bully Strength and Durability with a complete new design with lightweight...Z-A0012RRP £244.99 -
110mm Rock Krawler RRD Emulsion Shock Spring Assortment Rates RC4WD Z-S1185
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MSRP: £18.49RRP £15.99Additional Information - RC4WD 110mm Rock Krawler Shock Spring AssortmentSpecifications:Direct fit for Rock Krawler 110mm ShockEnough for One PairLength: 1.73in / 44mmRate "Blue" OD: 0.59in / 15.2mmRate "Red" OD: 0.57in / 14.6mmRate "White" OD: 0.56in /...Z-S1185MSRP: £18.49RRP £15.99 -
Drag Steering Link for Gelande 2 for Yota II axle RC4WD Metal Z-S0810 G2 GII
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RRP £11.99Additional Information - Drag Link for Yota II (104.5mm / 4.11in) Specifications:Length: 4.11in / 104.5mmOD: 0.23in / 6mmScrew Holes: M3Each Height: 0.15oz / 4g What's Included:1x Drag Link for Yota II (104.5mm / 4.11in) Notes:Set Screws are here...Z-S0810RRP £11.99 -
RC4WD Rock Krawler RRD Emulsion Scale Dual Spring Scale Shocks 110mm Z-D0048
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RRP £55.49Additional Information - RC4WD Rock Krawler RRD Emulsion Scale Dual Spring Shocks (110mm)Specifications:CNC MachinedBillet AluminumSmooth Black AnodizedRock Krawler Logo on TopDual Spring DesignHole to Hole (Compressed): 2.94in / 74.7mmHole to Hole...Z-D0048RRP £55.49 -
Billet Steely M3 Rod End Heim Joint 10 Stainless Steel Suspension RC4WD Z-S1446
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MSRP: £40.99RRP £34.99Additional Information - Steely M3 Rod End (Heim Joint) (10) Steely rod end is our 3rd generation full metal rod end. Not only it is extremly scale, it is also compact in size. Each Steely is super durable and machined out of billet stainless steel...Z-S1446MSRP: £40.99RRP £34.99 -
RC4WD 70mm Ultimate Scale Shocks Internal Spring Assortment Rates Tuner Z-S1345
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RRP £11.99Additional Information - 70mm Ultimate Scale Shocks Internal Spring AssortmentOptional internal springs for 70mm Ultimate Scale shocks. Allow you to adjust your dampening for many applications. Specifications:Surface Treatment: Black Enough for 4...Z-S1345RRP £11.99 -
RC4WD 70mm King Off Road Scale shock Spring Choice Rates Shocks Tuner Z-S1123
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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 90mm King Off Road Scale Shock Spring Assortment Rates Tuner Z-S1119
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MSRP: £18.49RRP £16.47Additional Information - 90mm King Scale Shock Spring AssortmentOptional spring rates for King 90mm shocks. Allow you to adjust your dampening for many applications. Specifications: Direct fit for King 90mm ShockEnough for One PairLength: 1.25in /...Z-S1119MSRP: £18.49RRP £16.47 -
100mm King Off-Road Scale Shock Spring Assortment Rates Shocks Tuner Z-S1117
RC4WD
RRP £18.49Additional Information - 100mm King Scale Shock Spring AssortmentOptional spring rates for King 100mm shocks. Allow you to adjust your dampening for many applications. Specifications: Direct fit for King 100mm Shock Enough for One Pair Length: 1.39in /...Z-S1117RRP £18.49 -
RC4WD 110mm King Off Road Scale Shock Spring Rates Shocks Tuner Springs Z-S1115
RC4WD
MSRP: £18.49RRP £16.47Additional Information - 110mm King Scale Shock Spring AssortmentOptional spring rates for King 110mm shocks. Allow you to adjust your dampening for many applications. Specifications:Direct fit for King 110mm ShockEnough for One Pair Length: 1.56in / 39...Z-S1115MSRP: £18.49RRP £16.47 -
RC4WD Super Scale Shock Boot BLUE Z-S0961 4 Boots ARB Superlift Emu Shocks Rubber
RC4WD
RRP £11.99Additional Information - Super Scale Shock Boot (Blue)Shock Boots protect exposed shock absorber shafts against flying rocks, dirt, and mud, while enhancing the appearance of your suspension.Specifications: Quality Rubber...Z-S0961RRP £11.99 -
Shock Cap for Top of King Offroad Shocks Z-S0866 RC4WD King Off Road BLUE Alli
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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 -
RC4WD 59mm (2.32") Aluminum Link for Gelande 2 D90 Z-S0807 Front Top 3 Link
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RRP £7.99Additional Information - 59mm (2.32") Aluminum Link for Gelande 2Specifications:Length: 2.32in / 59mmOD: 0.23in / 6mmScrew Holes: M3Each Weight: 0.07oz / 2g What's Included:1x 59mm (2.32") Aluminum Link for Gelande 2Optional Parts:RC4WD 59mm (2.32")...Z-S0807RRP £7.99 -
Gelande 2 Front 3 Link & Panhard Mount BLACK Z-S0794 G2 II D90 Pan Hard RC4WD
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Steely M3 Rod End HEIM JOINT Suspension SILVER RC4WD Z-S0424 Suspension Steering
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RC4WD Lower 4 Links for Axial Wraith PAIR Gun Metal inc Rod Ends Z-S0350
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RRP £29.99img{max-width:100%}Lower 4 Links for Axial Wraith (pair) Gun MetalThese are the Lower Straight 4 link links. These links are made with billet aluminum an CNC machined for precision. They come with plastic straight rod ends for a perfect fit on the stock...Z-S0350RRP £29.99 -
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 -
Dual Spring 80mm Scale Black Shocks Ver 2 BlackZ-D0039 Gelande II G2 RC4WD
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MSRP: £40.99RRP £34.99Additional Information - Dual Spring 80mm Scale Black Shocks (Ver 2)Featuring a entirely new internal design, the Dual Spring (Ver 2) shocks are ready for any adventure. These now hold oil and have true performance in mind. Specifications: ...Z-D0039MSRP: £40.99RRP £34.99 -
RC4WD Superlift SUPERIDE 100MM SCALE SHOCK Absorbers Shocks WHITE Z-D0032
RC4WD
MSRP: £44.99RRP £40.49Additional Information - RC4WD Superlift Superide 100mm Scale Shock Absorbers This is the all new Licensed Scale Shock to hit the market. Licensed from Superlift Suspension Systems. These new shocks feature a complete new design from the ground up and...Z-D0032MSRP: £44.99RRP £40.49 -
RC4WD King Off-Road Dual Spring Shocks 110mm MEDIUM OD Z-D0065 Shcok Blue
RC4WD
MSRP: £55.49RRP £47.49Additional Information - RC4WD King Off-Road Dual Spring Shocks (110mm Medium OD)These are the all new Licensed Dual Spring Shocks to hit the market and are officially Licensed from King Off-Road Shocks. These new shocks feature a completely new...Z-D0065MSRP: £55.49RRP £47.49 -
RC4WD King Off-Road Dual Spring Shocks 80mm MEDIUM OD Z-D0055 Shock Blue
RC4WD
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RC4WD 55mm 2.16" Internally Threaded Aluminum Suspension Link Rod BLACK Z-S0886
RC4WD
RRP £5.25Additional Information - 55mm (2.16") Internally Threaded Aluminum Link (Black) Specifications: Smooth Anodized Coating Laser Etched Size Listed on Link 3mm Female Threading OD: 0.24in / 6mm Length: 2.16in / 55mm Each Weight: 0.14oz / 4g What's...Z-S0886RRP £5.25 -
RC4WD 45mm 1.77" Internally Threaded Aluminum Suspension Link Rod BLACK Z-S0879
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RRP £5.25Additional Information - 45mm (1.77") Internally Threaded Aluminum Link (Black) These are not hollow all the way through but to a depth of about 12mm and this is threaded with M3 thread. Walls are about 1.8mm thick. Specifications: Smooth Anodized...Z-S0879RRP £5.25 -
RC4WD 35mm 1.37" Internally Threaded Aluminum Suspension Link Rod BLACK Z-S0878
RC4WD
RRP £5.25Additional Information - 35mm (1.37") Internally Threaded Aluminum Link (Black)Specifications:Smooth Anodized Coating3mm Female Threading6mm Outside Diameter35mm (1.37") End to EndLaser Etched Size Listed on LinkWhat's Included:1x 35mm (1.37") Internally...Z-S0878RRP £5.25 -
King Off-Road Dual Spring Shocks 90mm MEDIUM OD Z-D0061 RC4WD Metal shocks RC
RC4WD
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RC4WD 90mm Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Sport Scale Shock ARB Yellow SCX10 Z-D0038
RC4WD
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M3 Short Plastic Rod Ends 10 Axial Width Steel Balls 19mm long SSD00020 SSD
SSD
RRP £3.99Additional Information - DESCRIPTION Part No. SSD00020 M3 Short Plastic Rod Ends Injection molded black plastic rod end Steel ball No slop Axial width ball Eye to Eye Length: 15mm Total Length: 19mm Shaft Diameter: 6mm Ball Width: 7.45mm...SSD00020RRP £3.99 -
M3 Long Plastic Rod Ends 10 Axial Width Steel Balls 19mm long SSD00017 SSD
SSD
RRP £3.99Additional Information - M3 LONG PLASTICROD ENDS DESCRIPTION Part No. SSD00017 M3 Long Plastic Rod Ends ...SSD00017RRP £3.99 -
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 -
Super Scale Shock Boots BLACK 4 Rubber Absorber Covers Stops Shaft Wear Z-S0981
RC4WD
RRP £11.99Additional Information - Super Scale Shock Boot (Black)Shock Boots protect exposed shock absorber shafts against flying rocks, dirt, and mud, while enhancing the appearance of your suspension.Specifications:Quality Rubber MaterialFlexible Accordion...Z-S0891RRP £11.99 -
RC4WD Yota II Steering Link Set 103.5 & 100.5mm bars inc rod ends etc Z-S0938 D90
RC4WD
MSRP: £14.49RRP £13.99Additional Information - Yota II Steering Link SetSpecifications: CNC Machined Individually Laser Etched Weight: 0.5oz / 14gWhat's Included: 1x 103.5 mm Yota II Steering Link Set (Black) 1x 100.5 mm Yota II Steering Link Set (Black) 4x M3 x 15mm...Z-S0938MSRP: £14.49RRP £13.99 -
Internal Springs for ARB 70mm Scale Shocks Absorbers RC4WD Z-S1177
RC4WD
RRP £11.99Additional Information - Internal Springs for ARB 70mm ShocksOptional spring rates for ARB Old Man Emu 70mm shocks. Allows you to adjust your dampening for many applications. Specifications:Direct fit for ARB Old Man Emu ShocksEnough for 4 ShocksOuter...Z-S1177RRP £11.99 -
RC4WD Internal Springs for ARB & Superlift 90mm Shocks Pair 4 grades Z-S1181 Tuner
RC4WD
RRP £11.99Additional Information - Internal Springs for ARB and Superlift 90mm ShocksOptional spring rates for ARB Old Man Emu 90mm shocks. Allows you to adjust your dampening for many applications. Specifications:Direct fit for ARB Old Man Emu and Superlift...Z-S1181RRP £11.99 -
RC4WD M3 M4 Plastic Long Rod End Z-S1375 Suspension Steering Ends Metal Ball 20
RC4WD
RRP £11.99Additional Information - The silver balls are M3 and the plastic parts are M4.RC4WD M3/M4 Plastic Long Rod Ends (20)These rod ends are made from an all new advanced plastic compound from RC4WD.Specifications:Plastic Body and Steel BallBlack Varnish...Z-S1375RRP £11.99 -
RC4WD M3 M4 Plastic Short Rod Ends Straight Z-S1378 Suspension Steering 22mm
RC4WD
RRP £11.99Additional Information - The silver balls are M3 and the plastic parts are M4.RC4WD M3/M4 Plastic Short Rod Ends (20)These rod ends are made from an all new advanced plastic compound from RC4WD.Specifications:Plastic Body and Steel BallBlack Varnish...Z-S1378RRP £11.99 -
Super Scale Steel Leaf Spring for TF2 & Tamiya Bruiser Z-S1476 Scaler Detail
RC4WD
RRP £55.49Additional Information - Super Scale Steel Leaf Springs for TF2 & Tamiya Bruiser (2)Specifications:Super Durable Steel Leaf Springs Stiff Spring Increases Payload Capacity Simple Installation, No Modification RequiredScrew Hole OD: 0.1in / 2.6mmEye...Z-S1476RRP £55.49 -
M3 Long Plastic BENT ROD END 20 Ends Suspension Steering RC4WD Metal Ball S0074
RC4WD
RRP £11.99Additional Information - M3 Plastic Bent Rod Ends (20) 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: Heavy Duty...Z-S0074RRP £11.99 -
M3 Mini Plastic ROD END 20 Ends Suspension Steering RC4WD Metal Ball End Z-S0398
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MSRP: £11.99RRP £10.49Additional Information - M3 Mini 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 is :16.9mm / 0.665...Z-S0398MSRP: £11.99RRP £10.49