FILLING DAMPERS???

[freak]

hi i wounder if some one can help me by how to refill dampers???

cheers cal[sn]

[Gruntfuggly]

• Take the cap off and clean out the old oil.
  
• Fill with new oil to the brim
  
• Slowly pump the shaft up and down until there are no more air bubbles in the oil
  
• Wipe away the spillage
  
• Refit the cap making sure that the diaphram fits into the top properly
  

[HunterZero]

Oil dampers I take it?

First, disassemble the damper, and unscrew the cap at the top to get into the oil chamber. Pour out the old oil if you're changing the weight/type of oil.

The key to filling an oil damper is to get all the air bubbles out of the oil chamber. To do this, start with the piston at the bottom then fill the damper with shock oil (silicone oil). Move the piston up and down slowly, and air bubbles will come through the piston as the air comes out from underneath. You can flick the damper with your finger to get rid of the smaller bubbles that float to the surface. Top off the damper with oil, and repeat gently moving the damper piston until no more air comes out. Then put on the oil seal, wipe off the excess oil with a tissue and screw the top on.

Easy!

You can tell if there's still air in the damper cylinder if you can hear a squelching sound when you compress the damper.

- James

[VonBlade]

Does it matter which of the pistons I use? 1,2 or 3 hole. I'd assume 1 hole = stiff, 3 = soft? It's just my front shocks (70ish mm) don't rebound anywhere near as fast as my rears. If fact they almost need coaxing back to their full extension.

[rhenbelz]

The hole thing you are correct on.

One tip about filling dampers - on some shocks, you will always have air in them unless you:

-fill it up

-work out the bubbles

-push the shaft up almost to the top but still in the fluid

-put the rubber on and bend the edge as you put it on so no air is trapped (displace it all), then let the edge go to make a good seal

-pull the shaft down and you will see the rubber suck down a tiny bit

Not all shocks need that, but some do

[Lord Humungus]

Does it matter which of the pistons I use? 1,2 or 3 hole. I'd assume 1 hole = stiff, 3 = soft? It's just my front shocks (70ish mm) don't rebound anywhere near as fast as my rears. If fact they almost need coaxing back to their full extension.

The difference in rebounding could also be a result of binding in the suspension arms or even the shocks themselves.  Be sure to check all the hinge pins and shock shafts to see if they are bent or so dirty they no longer move freely.  As for rebuilding the shocks Tamiya makes a Damper OIl Air Remover part# 53710  I have one and it works great.  You put the shocks in with out their caps on and pump it up to remove all the air bubbles.

 

[Rabiedmushroom]

I thought the procedure was:

1. Take damper cap off. Accidently tip it and drip oil everywhere.

2. Mop up oil.

3. Pour old oil out. Oil accidently dribbles on hand and recepticle.

4. Mop up oil.

5. Put absorbant paper round damper and refill with new oil. Accidently jerk hand and oil dribbles down the tiny gap you've left accidently wrapping the paper.

6. Mop up oil.

7. Put in rubber seal, and squidge it down to make sure no air gap at the top. Oil leaks out on purpose, but not necessarily where you want it to go.

8. Mop up oil.

9. Mop up oneself.

10. Mop up oily slippery surfaces.

11. Have a beer to celebrate the first damper done, and 3 more to go! []

 

[VonBlade]

lmao. That's very accurate. **** it goes everyfreakingwhere

VB

 

[HunterZero]

Heheheh. Once when I was refilling a damper, I pulled the piston down a bit too quick, and the oil shot out of the piston hole - right into my open mouth! Eee-urgh.

- James

[MikeG8]

And I thought I was the only one who struggled.  We need to set up some form of self-help group and counselling...we could probably get lottery funding for it - just think how many sets of dampers we could buy!!!

 

Mike

[Zjor76]

As for rebuilding the shocks Tamiya makes a Damper Oil Air Remover part# 53710  I have one and it works great.  You put the shocks in with out their caps on and pump it up to remove all the air bubbles.

 Well advised!! That gizmo is the duck's nuts for rebuilding dampers! I actually ENJOY rebuilding dampers with this unit. One time I told the boys to bring their oils and dampers to the next meet and I'll happily rebuild their dampers all day for some pizza and a beer! [pi]

24 dampers, 8 pizzas and 2 cases of Carlsberg later, ALL were happy and having a good time. Not much racing happened that day.. [:S]