shock mounting question

[FordFixer]

Ive been looking at pics around the forum and noticed that some people mount their shocks with the body down and the shaft up..is there a reason for this? or is just a matter of preference?

[Lobonyc]

Is this what you mean?



The shock body contains the shock fluid and spring therefore it is the heavier end. When you run them the way i have them in the picture you are keeping the weight closer to the axle or center of gravity.

It might not seem like a lot but when you multiply the weight by 4 (or 8 depending on the amount of shocks you are running) the weight adds up.

Another added benefit is "no leaking" but its dependent on the type of shock body. The GMADE and LOSI shocks have closed tops and not a threaded cap end.

When the shock body is on the top and the shaft by the axle, the shock fluid tends to slowly leak past the O-rings even when the rig is not used.

When you mount them upside down, the shock body acts like a cup and holds the fluid with no leaking.

Hope this helps.

[FordFixer]

it does help cause i didnt think of it in that way...now, can all shocks be flipped or would a should with a shock cap on top leak?

[ScaleFreak93]

They all could be flipped though there are a few that may leak and another thing to consider is some shocks may not be as smooth when flipped.

[552jrider]

If u run them flipped there is more unsprung weight.

[northernerbill]

Also sometimes when you are changing brands of shock there diameter may be larger and they might bind on the chassis when in their normal orientation, flipping them removes this issue, another example of the above is when you use 1.9-2.2 height adapters.

[Lobonyc]

Originally Posted by 552jrider

If u run them flipped there is more unsprung weight.

This is totally true; it does create more unsprung weight. However, the weight factor becomes evident at high speeds.

Motorcycles for the most part have the shock bodies located at the axle and shafts up top at the triple clamps(look at cruisers, standard bikes, & low end sport bikes; ie Yamaha FZ6R). If you look at performance motorcycles such as a Yamaha YZFR1 you'll note that the shocks are flipped; shock body uptop and the shaft located at the axle.

This is reduces unsprung weight and allows the suspension to react faster at high speeds.

In our case, the weight is better at the bottom by the axle. The crawlers are slow going and having more weight at the axle means less chances of flipping over. This is also why some crawlers have their batteries mounted on the axles as well.

On my nitro trucks i have the shock bodies up top and shafts at the axles due to the higher speeds and faster shock activity.

[Kurtsara1800]

Originally Posted by Lobonyc

Is this what you mean?


The shock body contains the shock fluid and spring therefore it is the heavier end. When you run them the way i have them in the picture you are keeping the weight closer to the axle or center of gravity.

It might not seem like a lot but when you multiply the weight by 4 (or 8 depending on the amount of shocks you are running) the weight adds up.

Another added benefit is "no leaking" but its dependent on the type of shock body. The GMADE and LOSI shocks have closed tops and not a threaded cap end.

When the shock body is on the top and the shaft by the axle, the shock fluid tends to slowly leak past the O-rings even when the rig is not used.

When you mount them upside down, the shock body acts like a cup and holds the fluid with no leaking.

Hope this helps.

Your springs are not inside the shaft are they?

[Lobonyc]

Originally Posted by Kurtsara1800

Your springs are not inside the shaft are they?

The GMADE shocks in the photo have the springs located inside the shock body.

[FordFixer]

cool thanks guys...im used to running them body up on my SC trucks...this is still new to me.

[WraithCrawler]

Note that your lower seals, when mounted correctly (body up), will be covered in fluid and likely have less stiction against the shock shaft than they would if mounted body down and being dry. While the tiny difference in unsprung weight will mean nothing at crawling speed, any minute increase in stiction will be noticed. It's something to keep an eye out for.

[FordFixer]

u think tjey would dry out if installed body down?

[FordFixer]

well i just flipped mine on my dingo and it didnt feel as smooth as they were in the stock posotion...i guess ill wait to buy some new shocks like the g shocks