Mini T oil-filled shocks

[university_dave]

I've just spent 4 hours trying to build these with no air. I'm convinced it is impossible by following the instructions that come with them. Does anyone have any tips, or am I going to have to buy some aftermarket ones? >:( >:( >:(

[TimG]

Dave,

You need to build them the same as XXX-4, XXX, XXX BK2 shocks.

Fill the shock body with oil, upto te bottom of the threads.
Pull the piston all the way out of the cartridge ( as if the shock was at full extension )
Screw the cartridge into the shock body, all the way. Undo the cartridge by 1/2 turn.
Now, tilt the shock to 60 ish degrees and slowly and lightly tap the piston into the shock.
Once fully compressed, tighten the cartridge fully. DONE.

It's how I do mine and I have no air and no problems!!

[Doughty]

there are 2 menthods for building the Losi shocks both of which are in the FAQ. they are very similar.
they work for the mini-T shocks also.

once you have your shocks right and drive the car with them on it is amazing, I got some on my car for the first time yesterday at DMS Watford (Thanks Darren!) and I can say that it is the single best upgrade you can do to the Mini-T (maybe other than bearings).

let us know how you get on.

[Dan Reynolds]

How many Spacers do you use on your shock bodies? And what springs do you use?
I just fitted mine the other day and the truck feels a little soft and looks abit low, I wont know how it handles until tomorrow when I get the chance to give it abit of a thrashing at Batley ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Doughty]

I think I have run 1 large and 1 medium spacer all round. it seems to give a nice ride hight. you do need quite a large number of spacers in there to get the truck off the floor.

try and set your ride hight somewhere around wishbones level as a starting point.

I ran 25wt all round with the kit pistons in it. I think that is 3 hole front 2 hole rear.

I think the std springs are too soft for the weight of oil we like to use. you could add some more pre-load spacers to get it a bit harder but then you ride hight will be wrong.

Losi do a spring kit front and rear with the std springs being the softest of the range.

try it first though. mine seems very over damped(under sprung) but was a blast to drive.

As for how it handles, you wont believe the differance between pogo's and oil shocks. unbelieveable!!!

[Dan Reynolds]

Thanks alot Chris i did what you said (i used 30w oil though as it was all i had) and it was amazing
i raced against some of the touring cars at batley (only in practice) and most of the couldn't keep up with me and it looked so cool going round the track, i have perfected a technique where I can corner on my 2 inside wheels, ;D I think I had almost everyone in the hall watching and there were a lot of people talking about it afterwards. ;D ;) ;D

[Doughty]

I would also advise the use of a bit of slipper... when you get into the relms of 'plenty of power' diff gears could become a consumable item until the ball diff is available. I know that first hand.

to be honest it was my poor driving, I should know better than to land a jump with the throttle flat out! ::)

[TimG]

Chris,

Admit it, you were enjoying yourself TOO much last nght !!!!!!

So was I.........But the oil filled shocks do seem to be the best handling upgrade.

I have the front and rear spring kits and ran different oil and springs to Chris, but both were handling well around the track, mine seemed to have a slight edge on the jumps, but Chris had a slight advantage round corners. Of coarse, that could just be he's a better driver than me ;D

[Dan Reynolds]

i have a friend who made a jump over his dads car and when he landed shreded all the teeth off his diff :'( thats what you call bad luck
roll on the ball diff, thats what i say ;)

[lewist]

yeah, mine keeps chewing the diff gear.. i put a new set in on tuesday nite and have started to shred them after about 5 minutes of NO jumps on the track!! i think i am going to go back to the locked diff and lock it better (superglue ent the best)

[Doughty]

Lewis, get your slipper clutch working. I am going to work on mine. I think it will need some more coned washers to get more of a 'spring' out of it. so it has more adjustability

[TimG]

Chris,

Why not have a flat washer, then a spring washer followed by another flat washer??

If you know what I mean. That should operate as a good slipper adjustment.

Lewis,

As for locking the diff, why not try epoxy resin. Thats what I'm going to try on my shredded diff. It sounded even worse last night, but is still going !!!!!

[Doughty]

where are you going to find a suitable strong spring though Tim? if you can find one it would be the best solution.

BTW - my diff was so wrecked that I don't think I can even make a locked diff out of it :-

[TimG]

Not a spring, but a spring washer.

Imagine a normal thick washer, that has been cut in one place, then twisted.

[DA_cookie_monstA]

They are spring washers in the sense that it paushes a nut against a thread, to hold it in place, not the same as a conical washer.

[TimG]

I know what they're meant for, thats why I suggested trying one in between two normal flat washers to act as a very short spring. I dont know if it will work, but it's worth a go for the cost.