why are short course shocks different

Are your shocks and struts working well?

When you drive over a speed bump, pothole, or other rough roads, you’ll be thankful when the shocks and struts on your vehicle are working well. While these two vehicle components are often discussed together, they are individual parts that provide a vital service for keeping your vehicle sturdy and safe.

What is the difference between air shocks and regular shocks?

An air shock combines spring force and dampening force.” A regular shock does generate some spring force, but as Trevor mentions, “That spring force may only be about 80 lbs. That 80 lbs. is not going to hold up your truck.” An Air Bump Stop has a very small gas chamber.

What's the difference between pre runner shocks and regular shocks?

"The smaller shaft is what we typically use in our 2.5 Pre-Runner shocks and it's 7/8 inch in diameter. The larger diameter shock shaft will generate a larger spring force and is the major difference between a regular shock and our air shocks and bumpstops.

What's the difference between Street shocks and off-road shocks?

A desert race vehicle, if in a u-turn, is pedal to the floor and sideways. So when it's a street shock on our shock dyno, we’re focused on a different spectrum than an off-road race shock.” Other factors in shocks, such as coilovers, are the springs and spring rates.

Is a longer shock better?

The larger the passage, the less resistance to motion the shock will give, and the smaller the hole, the tighter. A shock absorber must be “tuned” to match the vehicle it's attached to in order to work properly.

How can I make my RC suspension stiffer?

To stiffen the suspension, there are a few ways:Pistons with less holes or smaller diameter holes.Harder springs.Minor adjustments can be made on the holes of the shock tower by placing the shocks more vertically.By placing the shocks on the outer holes on the lower suspension arms (will effect ride height).

What is the best shock angle?

Most people aim for 90 degrees at full bump. That is from the front leaf spring pivot, to the lower shock pivot, and then to the upper shock pivot. This creates a slight rising rate. That being said there are lots of trucks people just mount the shocks where "they look good".

Why are shocks mounted at an angle?

Mounting shocks at angles reduces the overall dampening effect of the shock. Reason being; the shock's mechanisms will travel geometrically, less of a distance than that of the suspension system.

Should RC shocks have rebound?

2:043:33Shock Rebound - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTrack you want your car kind of more agile because it's a small tight track so you want the shock toMoreTrack you want your car kind of more agile because it's a small tight track so you want the shock to give put some rebound in the shock that way the car is a little bit more lively.

How do you stiffen shocks?

One can get oil-based shock absorbers filled with higher viscosity oil (thick oil) that make the ride quite stiff. Or you could get new gas filled shock absorbers that also provide a slightly stiffer ride. There are race / rally based shock absorbing systems that will make the ride stiffer as well.

Can you install shocks wrong?

The wrong height for the spring plate can result in the spring having no pre-tension. On systems with a side load spring the spring can become stuck or fall out. The shock absorber goes into the compression stop, has higher wear on the buffer and does not allow sufficient bump travel.

What angle should coilovers be at?

On most street rod applications a mounted angle of 15-25 degrees is preferable for great handling. However, a spring rated at 200lbs will offer 200lbs per inch if it is mounted completely vertically. Which means the effective spring rate will decrease as the mounted angle increases.

How does shock angle affect spring rate?

Spring rate refers to the amount of weight that is needed to compress a spring one inch. If the rate of the spring is linear, its rate is not affected by the load that is put on the spring....Spring Rate Tech.Shock AngleAngle Correction Factor (ACF)35°.8240°.7745°.715 more rows

What do shocks do with leaf springs?

Leaf springs can support the weight of the chassis of a vehicle and so it is perfect for use on commercial vehicles. They control axle damping- to damper means the main function of a shock. They are used to control spring oscillation by using hydraulic fluid.

What does shock angle do?

8:5210:24Shock angle - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo with this type of suspension geometry as the chassis rolls more and more to the left or right theMoreSo with this type of suspension geometry as the chassis rolls more and more to the left or right the suspension gets effectively progressively a little bit stiffer.

Which way do you mount rear shocks?

0:271:26Shock Mounting Orientation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith this type type of shock it really doesn't matter whether you're mounted horizontal shaft up orMoreWith this type type of shock it really doesn't matter whether you're mounted horizontal shaft up or shaft down but again my preference is shaft down it's just easier to get to the adjuster.

What is a 4600 series shock?

The Bilstein 4600 series is the industry standard for factory replacement shock absorbers. The famous yellow shock has led the way in stock replacement shocks and struts, utilizing their famous monotube design that increases vehicle control and longevity.

What is serviceable Fox shock?

If your shocks aren't what they used to be, you have options: Fox shocks are 'serviceable' - a complete ride refreshment is possible with a new nitrogen charge and rebuilt internals.

When will Eibach 2.0 coilovers be released?

Eibach has recently arrived in 2020 with a wide range of 2.0 coilovers across many applications, with a product that has significant differences and some advantages over the Fox 2.0.

Is Skyjacker a soft ride?

Where many other manufacturers who focus on lifted and off road suspension systems go by a “stiffer is better” approach for performance reasons, Skyjacker operates under what they call their “Soft-Ride” ethos.

What happens when the diameter of a shock is increased?

When the diameter of the shock is increased, the diameter of the shock piston is increased as well, which can increase the amount of effective dampening available from that shock. When working with larger or heavier vehicles, it is important to pick the proper size shock to accommodate the amount of dampening needed.

How big is a coil over shock?

Coil overs come in many different diameters and lengths, though the most common sizes are 2.0 to 3.0-inches in diameter, with a 6 to 18-inch stroke.

How does bypass shock work?

When the bypass shocks are used in conjunction with a coil over, it can increase the shocks longevity by spreading the damping force needed to control the vehicle between the coil over shock and bypass shock. This keeps heat buildup to a minimum in each shock, which means less fade.

How many damping zones does a bypass shock have?

Depending on the bypass tube configuration, it can have as little as 1 or up to 8 different damping zones.

What is a position sensitive shock?

Position Sensitive shocks, more commonly known as Bypass Shocks, actively change the dampening at different points in the suspension travel, thus adding dampening as the stroke increases. And a recent innovation, secondary dampers or active bump stops, aid in ride quality and durability of suspension components.

What is the benefit of a Bilstein shock?

The main benefit of a gas charged shock is that they help prevent cavitation and foaming of the oil in the shock, which creates a loss of dampening called fade.

Can you change the shim stack on a shock?

You may have to go inside the shocks and change the shim stack to get what you need. Taking a shock apart and making changes to the shim stack may seem like a huge endeavor, but it’s really not that bad, and may be the only way you’ll get the ride your looking for.

What is the difference between a shock and a strut?

The major difference between shocks and struts is that a strut is a structural part of the vehicles suspension system where a shock is not. A strut is also crucial part of the vehicles steering system and greatly affects alignment angles. Camber and caster angles are usually adjusted right on the strut itself.

Why are struts so expensive?

A strut is also a pivot point for the vehicles steering system and contains a coil spring. Because of this an alignment is always needed when replacing a strut. This is also the reason that struts are typically more expensive than shocks.

Do shocks and struts work the same?

This is a common question that we receive as the terms shock and strut are often used interchangeably. A shock and a strut do the same basic job on a vehicle, damping the movement of the spring and stopping oscillation and bounce. Even though they do the same thing, shocks and struts are completely different parts.

Can a shock replace a strut?

Even though they do the same thing, shocks and struts are completely different parts. A shock cannot be used to replace a strut and a strut cannot be used to replace a shock. A vehicle will have either a shock or a strut at each wheel, never both.

Turns and Gliding

An obvious difference between a short and long course pool is the number of turns. A short course race has twice as much turning and gliding, allowing you to spend up to 60% of the race underwater. On the other hand, a long course pool only allows you to stay underwater for up to 30% of the race. Underwaters have a major effect on speed.

Stroke Rate and Power

One of the most important details of racing is stroke rate, especially during a sprint. Attaining a high stroke rate will drastically improve your speed. The fastest sprinters don’t necessarily have more power per stroke than everybody else, but they do have an impressively high stroke frequency. However, stroke rate ties back to muscle fatigue.

Which one is better?

There’s no answer to which format is better. The differences show that based on swimmers’ strengths and weaknesses, some perform better in one pool versus another.

What are the shocks and struts on a car?

While these two vehicle components are often discussed together, they are individual parts that provide a vital service for keeping your vehicle sturdy and safe.

What is a coil over shock?

Coil-Over Shocks: Vehicles with shock absorbers installed on the front are typically called coil over shocks — they have a shock absorb er that is ‘covered’ by a coil spring.

What are the parts of a vehicle suspension system?

Each vehicle driving down the road today has a vehicle suspension system comprised of multiple individual parts — including shock absorbers (or struts) and springs. Springs are designed to support the vehicle and cushion the ride when the vehicle strikes objects in the road. The shock absorbers (also known as struts) limit ...

What is a strut on a steering knuckle?

Struts are typically mounted to a steering knuckle, with the top of the ‘spring’ installed to support the body. Struts are much smaller than shock absorbers, which is a primary reason why they are often used in vehicles with compressed suspension travel.

Do all vehicles have shocks?

All vehicles will use a shock or a strut on each of the four corners. Several use struts on the front with a shock absorber in the rear. Struts are used on vehicles without an upper control arm and connect to the knuckle while vehicles with an upper and lower control arm (independent suspension) or a solid axle (on the rear) use shock absorbers.

Do you replace struts in pairs?

Shocks and struts should always be replaced in pairs (on the same axle at the least) and the vehicle should have a professional suspension alignment completed to ensure the tires, steering, and complete suspension system is aligned straight. Struts. Shock Absorbers. Shocks. Home.

Why do non-pressurized shocks fade?

A majority of the time when you feel your non-pressurized shocks fade or act like there is a space of nothing, it's because of cavitation and aeration which makes the oil an inconsistent fluid. So the pressure from the nitrogen and dividing piston prevents the foaming you see happen in non-pressurized shocks.

What are the factors in coilover shocks?

Other factors in shocks, such as coilovers, are the springs and spring rates. Most coilover shocks have a primary (upper coil) and secondary (lower coil). If you had two 500-lbs/inch springs that worked with each other as a dual rate, the equivalent rate of both springs as they are being compressed is 250-lbs/inch. If you had two springs of different rates, like a 250-lb/inch and a 400-lb/inch, it’s then about 130-lb/inch and lower than the softer spring. With a King coilover, there is a physical stop called a coil nut which the coil slider – a composite, sliding perch that positions both springs on the shock body – will encounter and stop the movement of the upper spring. This then forces the suspension to ride on the lower, bigger rate spring. The coil nuts are also adjustable to the threaded body of the shock.

What are the components of a King shock?

The core components of a conventional OE-replacement King shock include the following: the shock body, oil, nitrogen gas, a piston that separates the gas from the oil, the shock piston with holes and a flapper valving system on each side and the shock rod attached to that piston.

What happens when a suspension hits a large object?

“When your suspension hits a large object and causes the shaft to displace all the way up the cylinder, it then hits this geometric constraint, the needle ," continues Trevor. "The bleed is now closed and the path of least resistance has now closed. It’s now operating on the primary piston. Now, if we didn’t have this secondary piston – if that hole just remained open – the shock wouldn’t generate any dampening until it reached the top half of the stroke and closed off that channel.”

Why do shocks have nitrogen?

The nitrogen gas is there to keep a consistent pressure on the shock oil. This helps prevent cavitation and aeration, which happen when shock oil essentially boils in the low pressure areas of the piston during compression and rebound, which releases gases into the oil. Nitrogen is used because it’s still compressible like air, but is more consistent when temperature changes. If you keep enough pressure on a fluid, you can prevent it from boiling and becoming a gas, much like how the water in your engine doesn’t boil because it’s under pressure. A majority of the time when you feel your non-pressurized shocks fade or act like there is a space of nothing, it's because of cavitation and aeration which makes the oil an inconsistent fluid. So the pressure from the nitrogen and dividing piston prevents the foaming you see happen in non-pressurized shocks.

What are the free bleed holes on a King shock?

Bleed Holes. You probably noticed the small holes on the piston that are not covered by the valves. These are the free bleed holes that King purposely designed. “The free bleed holes are there to control the chatter you get in some off-road shocks as they move the piston through the fluid,” says Trevor.

How fast does a UTV shock work?

Your UTV or tube-chassis race truck may have a shaft velocity of 50 to 65 inches/second. A Trophy Truck going through the whoops at 100 mph can be as high as 300 inches/second. When it comes to making a shock work for a particular vehicle, the shaft velocity is the most important thing to look at.

RC Beginner Series – Shock Positions Explained

This episode of the RC Beginner Series covers shock positions and explaining how changing your shock position effects the handling, dampening, steering and traction of your RC.

Tools Needed

Now, switching up the shock positions isn’t the cure all for the set up of your RC, but making small changes and testing will show small improvements until you get a result you’re happy with. Tools needed for this adjustment: typically a 2.5/2.0mm hex wrench for your bottom shock eyelet and a 5.5mm nut driver for the top mount.

Front Adjustment

On the front, laying the shock down (inner most Shock Tower Mount and outer most A arm mount) will give the car a feeling of more steering and a softer shock. Standing the front shock up (outer most shock tower mount and inner most a arm mount) will give the car a feeling of more steering and a harder sprung shock.

Rear Adjustment

On the rear, laying the rear shock down (inner most shock tower mount and outer most A arm mount) will increase traction but with a softer feeling in the shock. Standing the shock (outer most shock tower mount and inner most A arm mount) up will decrease traction but increase damping of the shock.

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Why use shock oil in RC cars?

If you are using an RC car for racing, using shock oil helps to promote the longevity of the vehicle. The purpose of the oil is to absorb shocks when the vehicle crashes. It is a product that can be pricey, but it is also a lifeline for crashed or damaged RC cars.

What to consider when buying shock oil for RC car?

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Why is silicone used in shock oil?

Silicone is used for many different things, but the use of it in shock oil is because of its incredible lubricating properties. Keeping the parts of the vehicle that absorb the impacts of a crash lubricated prevents maximum damage to the parts.

Can you use motor oil as shock oil?

Motor oil can be used as shock oil, but it’s much worse for the environment than its silicone-based counterpart. Motor oil needs to be measured out correctly to make sure the correct amount is being used for the desired RC car.

Do RC cars use less oil?

If the RC car has a small absorber, it will use less oil. The opposite is true as well – larger absorbers will use more oil. RC car absorbers come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. Check to see what size your absorber is before making your purchase.

Do RC cars come away from races?

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