Shocks:I'm confused

[Rockin140]

Built the GTS shocks for the TRX4 Sport kit. Felt very smooth so continued build. After sitting a week they now have a squishy sound when fully compressed. Searched for answers saying it's likely air in the shocks. But I also found an RC Driver article stating emulsion shocks need air to mix w/ the oil for compression since there is no bladder. Today I removed one shock. Just a little squishy sound when worked off the chassis. Removed cap, worked piston, saw air bubbles. Dumped oil to re-do. Intend to tear down completely, green slime the bottom - is it the x-ring (blue ring) - and rebuild. Did see tips not to tighten the bottom cap too tight. In building, I've seen youtubers fill to top and screw on top cap letting excess fluid spill out. Manual shows to NOT fill to top leaving air space.



So, between air is making squishy sound vs air and oil mix is needed, and fill to top vs not fill to top, I'm confused. Need help. Thanks!

 

[Voodoobrew]

Can you hear the squishy sound when it's driving on the rocks outside?

The spring rate matters, the shock oil (IMO) dosen't. I just need enough to keep it lubed. The shock oil controls bounce, but crawling around, I go too slow to bounce.

For bashing or rock racing, possibly trailing, a vehicle would see benefit with the appropriate shock oil.



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[Rockin140]

Not completed yet. Waiting for beadlocks and shock tool Thur. LHS for paint tomorrow. Thinking back I may have introduced air when fiddling w/ the lower cap tightness after getting rid of excess oil from top cap. Not sure.



I'll be trailing on 140-acres I have in upstate NY. The soil there is quite rocky. A lot of shale that breaks apart once exposed to the elements. A few rocks and boulders here and there. About 60% is wooded w/ a creek running across and freshwater springs run down the hills into the creek. I won't be running until deer season is over.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

Yes, emulsion shocks need air, but not too much air. Shocks are going to get air bubbles with use and that's especially true with emulsion shocks as they're designed for the air mixing with oil.

You should have smooth travel throughout the stroke. If you have a spot that is different than the rest of the shock it sounds like you do not have enough oil.

 

[Rockin140]

Solved the squishy shock issue. Partly not enough oil, partly it may have been plastics making the noise. Loosened the link bolts a bit and that helped. From here I'd say it simply needs to be run. Getting there.

Anyway, completely tore down shocks. Went w/ the TRA2362 rebuild kit for the slightly thinner washer between the x-rings. Now that I know what "buttery smooth" really is, here's what I did...

Even w/ the white spacer, the lower cap had to left a tiny bit loose for max freedom of the shaft. The rebuild kit had four small, clear washers; let me try that. By using two clear washers, the cap could be snugged leaving no gap to the shock body. Used Noleen SF-3 on the x-rings. By the numbers...

The original black washer is .103" thick. The rebuild kit's white washer is .090" thick. The two clear washers are .066" thick. I went w/ two clear washers so the cap could be snugged up w/o fear of loosening or leaking. Not run yet (still building TRX4 Sport kit) but no static leaking.

Filled shocks per the manual, fiddled quite a bit, learned quite a bit, and now have them truly buttery smooth and QUIET! Rebound is 9mm each; is that about right?

Chassis is done. Now to finish painting the body.)