filling shocks

[Mike Calver]

Hello

is there any special trick to filling the losi xxxs g+ shocks as i think i need some help.
all the oil oozes out when i try to tighten it and i am running out of 70wt oil so i can't waste much more :P
any help greatly received
thanks Mike

[gingapaint]

losi shocks are by far the easiest and best shocks i've used.... filing is easy.

top up the cartridge to the start of the screw threads.
leave until all air bubbles are out.
slowly start to screw in the cartridge with the piston and shaft fully extended. (out)
leave about 1/4 turn out from tight.
slowly compress shock and excess fluid/air etc will seep out
when fully compressed, nip cartridge and body tight.

fine tune each pair for desired rebound characteristics.

good luck ;)

[LisaKeen]

I can't really put it any better than Chris. You will always loose some oil as you are trying to get rid of excess air and fluid, as you can't compress a fluid you have to lose some of it. There aren't many shocks I have come across where you loose oil from filling. the reason is if you only put in as much as you thing there is in the shock you would still lose some through air pushing the oil out when you seal it and you would end up with an air gap, so thats why you put more in than needed to eliminate this. ;D

[Mike Calver]

thanks Guys looks like i'll be rebuilding tonight :-
thanks Mike

[al]

ive had a simlar problem with mine i think im gona rebuild mine now ive seen this !

al ::)

[Kev Cooke]

How often should shocks be rebuilt, with new oil added ?

[Doughty]

losi shocks are by far the easiest and best shocks i've used.... filing is easy.

top up the cartridge to the start of the screw threads.
leave until all air bubbles are out.
slowly start to screw in the cartridge with the piston and shaft fully extended. (out)
leave about 1/4 turn out from tight.
slowly compress shock and excess fluid/air etc will seep out
when fully compressed, nip cartridge and body tight.

fine tune each pair for desired rebound characteristics.

good luck ;)


just to add to this, I have found it best to hold the shock at 45 degrees while SLOWLY compressing the piston.

[gingapaint]

in fairness, i'd listen to mr doughty before i'd listen to me.... lol, his set up seems much better than mine... ;D

[Doughty]

Could be a little high on ride hight for a typical touring car though! :P

[gingapaint]

yeah, but you've never seen a tc jump like it!!

[al]

ill try it cheers guys

al :D

[Ben Turner]

Hi guys,
Your advice really makes sense, and i am following it to the letter, but i still cant get it right. I either have to little oil, and so a squeeky shock, or to much oil, and a shock that doesnt compress all the way. Ive tried it loads of times and just cant get it right. It would be great if you could go over some key points which i might be missing.

Ta
Ben

[TimG]

Ben,

This is how I do my shocks.

Fill the shock body with oil until it reaches the bottom of the thread. Leave for around 10 minutes to allow the air to rise out of the oil. Take the piston and seal assy and pull the piston all the way through the seal, as if the shock is fully extended. Slowly screw the seal into the shock body all the way, do not tighten. Now unscrew the seal 1/2 turn. Gently and slowly tap the extended piston rod down into the shock body whilst the shock is at 45-60 degrees. So the shaft goes in about 1mm with each tap. Once the piston hits the bottom of the shock, tighten the seal finger tight. Now "feel" the shock movement.
Pull the piston out, does it go back in by itself? If so how far? can you compress the shock all the way? If not, then undo the seal and gently tap the piston down from where it stopped, retighten and check again.

All should be ok from here.

HTH.

[Doughty]

another way I have done it in the past is like this

top up the cartridge to the start of the screw threads.
leave until all air bubbles are out.
Push the piston all the way out (so the piston is out and the ball cup is up against the cartridge), slowly dip the piston into the oil in the body of the shock, keeping pressure on the ball cup while screwing the cartridge in

the red bit is different to Ginga's explaination

I have found both ways just as good as each other

[gingapaint]

just have to argue, don't you..... lol.

if you want to be a real pain in the backside, the way you fill shocks makes a small diference to the rebound characteristics of the shock, and the way the car handles. (this is a tiny amount...) a shock with a lot of rebound will typically have a more progressive damping, (ie more resistance as the shock is further compressed) tiny difference, but occasionally worth trying.

[Ben Turner]

Hi, i have always thought that the shock should rise out rather then go back in, so that has been what ive been doiong wrong! I rebuild them tonight and let you know how i get on!

Thanks a lot guys!!

Ben

[al]

i hate the losi shocks worst ive ever used !!!

( credit to schumacher


AL :(

[Doomanic]

Losi shocks are the easiest I've ever built.
Associated have a better action, but it is soo much easier to get Losi shocks feeling the same.

Fill to the threads.
Carefully screw the cartridge in with the shock shaft fully extended, do not fully seat the cartridge.
Slowly compress the shock shaft to expell the excess oil.
Fully tighten the cartridge.

Done, jobs a good'un! ;D