leaky shocks

[dirtslow]

hello, i recently got a phoenix portal kit to build. It went fairly ok. I watched a lot of youtube and read a lot on the build especially transmission and shocks. I green slimed everything on the shocks and was as careful as i could but, unfortunately all 4 leaks with one leaking very badly. all leaks from the top either the body meets the cap or the bleed screw. is there any way to fix this?

thanks

 

[Speedy-Triple]

unfortunately from experience and readings around the forum vanquish shocks are really good and smooth but they do leak oil ... my SE80s did not leak as much as the incisions on my pro but the oil eventually made its way out. They still perform great but you need to make it a habit and do regular maintenance and filling often. They don't leak like a sieve but they definitely get oil around the shock bodies and spring retainers.

 

[twade984]

The bleeder screws are very easy to over tighten, I’ve heard CA glue on the threads will help once that happens, but not sure what happens when you need to remove them again.

I’ve had a lot of my caps loosen up after runs, so it doesn’t hurt to double check those once in a while.

So far the best luck I’ve had with the newer incision shocks is building like normal, and making sure to not over fill them. Even then, some amount of seepage after a few runs isn’t surprising.

My suggestion would be to look into dlux dravtechs, element enduro shocks, or trx4 shocks for good performance and virtually no leakage. Just be aware the bigger bore shocks can cause interference with the shock mounts.


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[indybama]

Every set ive got leaks. I just bought a set from twade, not long ago, n used 70wt, we'll see how they hold up this weekend as far as leaks.

But my phoenix, i got when they released them originally, has leaked since day one. Iirc, the phoenix is 2 yrs old now? Anywhos, ive yet to refill them. They still have some oil left in them, but majority leaked out. They work flawlessly, n im so used to them bein that way, so why change the way they work lol.

Like twade said though, some trx4 gts shocks would be a nice improvement, or even element shocks. Ive never had a set of dravs, but only heard got thinks about them

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[Col_Sanders]

I've tried building a couple sets with green slime and still had them leak pretty bad. On one of the Vanquish live streams, Brandon said when building the shocks, put your finger over the bottom hole, add a few drops of shock oil, then put the shaft in. I did that on the last set and they dont seem to leak as bad as the previous sets.

For the caps, try teflon tape on the threads?

 

[ferp420]

I use a dab of grease just enuff to keep the workings lubed up so they don't stick
I've got used to little to no dampening
mainly just use them as limiters and for looks half the time I don't even use the springs and run full droop

 

[SteveB1]

My best technique is to carefully hold all four in my hand as I throw them in trash and install a set of Dlux Fab shocks. By far the most efficient process to date.

 

[diezel666]

My best technique is to carefully hold all four in my hand as I throw them in trash and install a set of Dlux Fab shocks. By far the most efficient process to date.

Sadly, my experience has been similar. While I have installed the vanquish shocks on other rigs, all of my other builds are running hand built Traxxas shocks. Only had one leak, and I'm pretty certain it was my fault. After I rebuilt it, it's not leaked since.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

My best technique is to carefully hold all four in my hand as I throw them in trash and install a set of Dlux Fab shocks. By far the most efficient process to date.

I don't understand the fascination with Dlux shocks anymore. They are simply modified, or more likely, copies of modified Traxxas big bore shocks which are now outdated technology. Traxxas GTS, Element shocks, etc have since come along.

 

[Col_Sanders]

I don't understand the fascination with Dlux shocks anymore. They are simply modified, or more likely, copies of modified Traxxas big bore shocks which are now outdated technology. Traxxas GTS, Element shocks, etc have since come along.

They're purty.

My Traxxas GTS shocks still leaked. Havent tried the Elements. I just got a set of Pricey's, which I'll try this Saturday. I had the truck dialed pretty well on the Dravs so I'm a bit nervous about the change.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

They're purty.

My Traxxas GTS shocks still leaked. Havent tried the Elements. I just got a set of Pricey's, which I'll try this Saturday. I had the truck dialed pretty well on the Dravs so I'm a bit nervous about the change.

Crazy. This is the first I ever remember of hearing about GTS shocks leaking. Definitely an exception and not the norm.

 

[SteveB1]

I don't understand the fascination with Dlux shocks anymore. They are simply modified, or more likely, copies of modified Traxxas big bore shocks which are now outdated technology. Traxxas GTS, Element shocks, etc have since come along.

Because the work fine every time I order them. Over a half-dozen sets, I have yet to find an issue with any of them.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

Because the work fine every time I order them. Over a half-dozen sets, I have yet to find an issue with any of them.

Well that should be expected of shocks. Traxxas Big Bores (what Dlux started with and then slightly modified) and GTS shocks are leak free. I know Element/Associated can do it as well. I do wonder these days if Dlux is still using Traxxas Big Bore bodies or if they get their own made to their specs. Either way, it is tough for me to swallow a now ancient set of Big Bore shocks costing, at minimum, $76. You can get a set of Big Bores from Traxxas for $53.90 and then just add your own springs. You can also convert your Traxxas Big Bores to "Dlux" wannabes to use Mini-T springs with 3D printed or purchased parts for another $16 on eBay.

 

[Col_Sanders]

Well that should be expected of shocks. Traxxas Big Bores (what Dlux started with and then slightly modified) and GTS shocks are leak free. I know Element/Associated can do it as well. I do wonder these days if Dlux is still using Traxxas Big Bore bodies or if they get their own made to their specs. Either way, it is tough for me to swallow a now ancient set of Big Bore shocks costing, at minimum, $76. You can get a set of Big Bores from Traxxas for $53.90 and then just add your own springs. You can also convert your Traxxas Big Bores to "Dlux" wannabes to use Mini-T springs with 3D printed or purchased parts for another $16 on eBay.

The big bores are old, but really....what kind of innovations have there been in the RC shock world in the past 20 years? There are only a few different basic designs.

The price isnt bad compared to other aftermarket options. Proline's shocks are ~$60-65/pair, Pitbull's are $90/pair, Ottsix are $50/pair. The GTS look like they are $30-50/pair retail depending on color. The Priceys were ~$90 shipped IIRC. And in your example there $54+16=$70, so for $6 more you can get your choice of color, plus an aluminum lower cup instead of 3d printed.

 

[Fricker08]

Jato, I’ve heard dlux is having their bodies machined and they have gone to their own shafts as well where as the first few sets used Traxxas shafts.
My s8e’s have been hit n miss. I was really disappointed when I bought the machined caps and the stock seals sit too deep causing oil to leak out of the cap itself. I bought 8x1.5mm o-rings and they stick out a bit but they don’t leak anymore

 

[SteveB1]

Well that should be expected of shocks. Traxxas Big Bores (what Dlux started with and then slightly modified) and GTS shocks are leak free. I know Element/Associated can do it as well. I do wonder these days if Dlux is still using Traxxas Big Bore bodies or if they get their own made to their specs. Either way, it is tough for me to swallow a now ancient set of Big Bore shocks costing, at minimum, $76. You can get a set of Big Bores from Traxxas for $53.90 and then just add your own springs. You can also convert your Traxxas Big Bores to "Dlux" wannabes to use Mini-T springs with 3D printed or purchased parts for another $16 on eBay.

Yes, I understand the above. I just find it far easier to get exactly what I want and have yet to be disappointed with the Dlux Shocks. It's one of the few things in the RC world that seems to work every time. I have a few sets of the Traxxas but I prefer the Dlux Shocks.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

The big bores are old, but really....what kind of innovations have there been in the RC shock world in the past 20 years? There are only a few different basic designs.

The price isnt bad compared to other aftermarket options. Proline's shocks are ~$60-65/pair, Pitbull's are $90/pair, Ottsix are $50/pair. The GTS look like they are $30-50/pair retail depending on color. The Priceys were ~$90 shipped IIRC. And in your example there $54+16=$70, so for $6 more you can get your choice of color, plus an aluminum lower cup instead of 3d printed.

Get Traxxas GTS take-off shocks on eBay. You can get all 4 for under $60. I'd take those over any of the others you mentioned. Priceys look cool and are scale, but I can't see them performing well and the feedback on the FB groups seems to back that up. Proline scale shocks seem to be notoriously leaky. That's a shame since their big bore monster truck shocks are awesome. The other brands are just unproven. Ottsix is owned by a clown so there's that too.

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[JimrC]

I have a set of GTS shocks on a vs4-10 chassis and in 3 months of trailing/crawling there is no signs of seepage or leaks at all ... been very impressed with them. GTS shocks are far easier to come by here in Ontario.

 

[89Industries]

For what it's worth (probably not much) the Traxxas big bore shock bodies are hard anodized vs the dravtech/dlux fab versions which are normal anodizing. Hard ano has a significantly lower coefficient of friction. Makes huge amount of difference in bicycle shocks and forks, but the piston has more contact with the body the larger you get.

That's a good price on used take off Traxxas GTS shocks though. I've got a year on 2 sets with zero leaks. They do have a bit more friction than others when new though. I'm willing to deal with it to not have leaking shocks though and would also fully recommend gts shocks if you don't want leaks.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

I have a set of GTS shocks on a vs4-10 chassis and in 3 months of trailing/crawling there is no signs of seepage or leaks at all ... been very impressed with them. GTS shocks are far easier to come by here in Ontario.

Which springs are you running?

For what it's worth (probably not much) the Traxxas big bore shock bodies are hard anodized vs the dravtech/dlux fab versions which are normal anodizing. Hard ano has a significantly lower coefficient of friction. Makes huge amount of difference in bicycle shocks and forks, but the piston has more contact with the body the larger you get.

That's a good price on used take off Traxxas GTS shocks though. I've got a year on 2 sets with zero leaks. They do have a bit more friction than others when new though. I'm willing to deal with it to not have leaking shocks though and would also fully recommend gts shocks if you don't want leaks.

I think the coating matters when the pistons are tighter against the shock bodies. I believe a lot of RC shocks are designed with a lot of slop between the piston and body which allows for a ton of "blow by", but that is how they seem to control damping rather than by just using holes in the pistons.