You fill your tank, you put air in your tires, but do you check your shocks?
Your shocks need to be operating properly for the car to give its best performance in the turns.
We have people sending back shocks because they're leaking oil.
Now a small amount of oil leakage is totally normal: there will always be a small amount of oil bypasses the seals each time the shock moves, just as it does on the piston in your engine. It will accumulate on the shaft and since its ultra-low viscosity it will drip off the end.
More than that is an issue. For instance, it can be that the compression and rebound adjusters were screwed out too far, that will cause a big leak.
However, we are seeing a number with blown seals. The number one cause: the N2 charge has been lost. When that happens, bad things happen in the shock.
The nitrogen charge drives the nitrogen piston to keep the shock oil under pressure and to stop cavitation. It also compensates for the volume displacement when the shock shaft is pushed into the cylinder.
When the nitrogen charge is lost rather than compressing the oil when the shock is compressed, the lower section goes on vacuum causing cavitation and the shaft seals to be reversed over every bump. That damages them. Then you get a bigger leak, and the shock needs to be rebuilt.
Why does the nitrogen charge leak off? Nitrogen is a very small molecule, it will find the smallest of leaks anywhere, typically at the Schrader Valve or NPT fitting.
So how often should your shock pressures be set? At least once per day. The nitrogen charge will bleed off within a week of sitting in most cases to a level where it is too low to stop cavitation. We need a minimum of 200psi. We fill to 300 psi in the shop with the car jacked up / shocks at full extension.
So, do I have to spend hundreds of dollars on a N2 bottle and charge system? NO!
We recommend N2 but using AIR is 100x better than nothing. The downside of air: it will change pressure more with temperature. This is insignificant in the overall operation of the shock, the change in pressure causes less of a force change than the tolerance between different springs. The other negative of air is that it contains moisture which can cause corrosion. This will be over a long period, the shock will need replacing before this is an issue. You can use an inline desiccant filter if you're worried about this.
95% of our drivers will not be able to feel any difference between a shock charged with nitrogen and one filled with air. However, 95% of drivers will feel the difference in cornering from a shock that is charged vs not.
Yes, here are links to the three items you need to be able to charge your shock using air.
Or you can buy an N2 System from Power Tank too for $559.95
Or a cheaper version for $253 (not endorsing this one).
Your shocks need to be operating properly for the car to give its best performance in the turns.
We have people sending back shocks because they're leaking oil.
Now a small amount of oil leakage is totally normal: there will always be a small amount of oil bypasses the seals each time the shock moves, just as it does on the piston in your engine. It will accumulate on the shaft and since its ultra-low viscosity it will drip off the end.
More than that is an issue. For instance, it can be that the compression and rebound adjusters were screwed out too far, that will cause a big leak.
However, we are seeing a number with blown seals. The number one cause: the N2 charge has been lost. When that happens, bad things happen in the shock.
The nitrogen charge drives the nitrogen piston to keep the shock oil under pressure and to stop cavitation. It also compensates for the volume displacement when the shock shaft is pushed into the cylinder.
When the nitrogen charge is lost rather than compressing the oil when the shock is compressed, the lower section goes on vacuum causing cavitation and the shaft seals to be reversed over every bump. That damages them. Then you get a bigger leak, and the shock needs to be rebuilt.
Why does the nitrogen charge leak off? Nitrogen is a very small molecule, it will find the smallest of leaks anywhere, typically at the Schrader Valve or NPT fitting.
So how often should your shock pressures be set? At least once per day. The nitrogen charge will bleed off within a week of sitting in most cases to a level where it is too low to stop cavitation. We need a minimum of 200psi. We fill to 300 psi in the shop with the car jacked up / shocks at full extension.
So, do I have to spend hundreds of dollars on a N2 bottle and charge system? NO!
We recommend N2 but using AIR is 100x better than nothing. The downside of air: it will change pressure more with temperature. This is insignificant in the overall operation of the shock, the change in pressure causes less of a force change than the tolerance between different springs. The other negative of air is that it contains moisture which can cause corrosion. This will be over a long period, the shock will need replacing before this is an issue. You can use an inline desiccant filter if you're worried about this.
95% of our drivers will not be able to feel any difference between a shock charged with nitrogen and one filled with air. However, 95% of drivers will feel the difference in cornering from a shock that is charged vs not.
Yes, here are links to the three items you need to be able to charge your shock using air.
- 400 psi Shock Pump $26.99
- Shrader Valve $2.78
- No Loss Chuck $39.95 (I really like these).
Or you can buy an N2 System from Power Tank too for $559.95
Or a cheaper version for $253 (not endorsing this one).
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