Kyosho Optima Shock Building Tips/Alternates

[RustyHunter 80]

Hi all, I'm looking for any tips or suggestions on building the front shocks for the re-release Optima. We've built them following the manual with the addition of green slime on the shaft and seals. The rears have not been very leaky, but the fronts have leaked a ton, despite rebuilding them twice. Do any of you have tips we can try for the next rebuild? I'm thinking we might need new seals for the fronts.

Otherwise, are there alternative shocks that are a more modern design and fit well on the Optima front? What has everyone else been doing?

 

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

[Saito2 7651]

Interested to hear what others have to say since I have similar problems from time to time. Too much oil not leaving enough room for the piston rod maybe?

To be honest, the older I get the more I appreciate the simple Tamiya CVA shock with its bladders and easily replaceable o-rings. They may not be some pretty anodized aluminum but they do work.

[Twinfan 2013]

I believe you can fit Kyosho Big Bores if you want to use a different shock.  They're listed in the manual as an option for the '87 Worlds kit.

[RustyHunter 80]

16 hours ago, Twinfan said:

I believe you can fit Kyosho Big Bores if you want to use a different shock.  They're listed in the manual as an option for the '87 Worlds kit.

I'll have to take a dig into that, thanks for the suggestion.