Grasshopper Front Parma Shock Rebuild Q's

[OnceAGrasshopper]

Hi Guys-

I want to "rebuild" the front Parma oil shocks for our Grasshopper. There really doesn't seem to be much you can do - clean em up and put new oil in. I don't even see replaceable seals or o-rings (maybe my set is missing them???). I do have a Parma "rebuild kit" but by looking at it me thinks it is for the rears. Anybody know for sure - I can post a P/N later.... Lacking a manual for the shocks - some advice would be appreciated.

What weight oil? I have the package of the 3 middle-weight oils from Tamiya. Was thinking I'd go lightest of the middle set.

Do I fill the shock tube full? Half full? Is there a "proper" procedure?

Thanks much!

Brandon

[dimblum]

You will want to use very light weight oil for sure.. These are vintage shocks from the 80's and Parma went a little overboard with the spring tension..

Each shock tube should be completely filled with oil and all air bubbles removed.. You can bleed the oil a little if the shock action is too hard. They should move smoothly and hopefully not have too much tension when you are done..

Here are the original instructions that came with the shock kit (I am a collector).. If your shocks are different then they are probably a Team CRP brand.. Hope this helps.

[OnceAGrasshopper]

OK this helps very much thanks! Apparently I have CRP shocks. I had seen both kinds and thought I had Parma. Now I know. And this diagram really answers my question about the rebuild kit I have - it just did not make sense to me looking at my shcoks and comparing to the seals in the kit. Now it's all coming together

Is there a way to edit the title of this thread? So I can change it from Parma to CRP? That said any info on the CRP shocks would be great. They do seem different - I'll have to look at them again and take a pic but my recollection is it has brass plunger on the end of the shaft and I don't recall any sealing o-rings....we'll see.

Thanks again

Brandon

[dimblum]

OK this helps very much thanks! Apparently I have CRP shocks. I had seen both kinds and thought I had Parma. Now I know. And this diagram really answers my question about the rebuild kit I have - it just did not make sense to me looking at my shcoks and comparing to the seals in the kit. Now it's all coming together

Is there a way to edit the title of this thread? So I can change it from Parma to CRP? That said any info on the CRP shocks would be great. They do seem different - I'll have to look at them again and take a pic but my recollection is it has brass plunger on the end of the shaft and I don't recall any sealing o-rings....we'll see.

Thanks again

Brandon

I'm not sure if you can edit the thread name, I have never tried before.. You could always contact the TamiyaClub moderator - just click "About Us" , then "Contact Us" when you are back at the home page.

In the meantime, here is the information for the Team CRP Front Shock kit they made back in the 80's.. If this doesn't match your shocks then I will need to see a picture of them.

[OnceAGrasshopper]

Well sheesh. Between this manual above - and browsing around the site ( I found a clone to the chassis I bought) I guess I _actually_ have You-G shocks (I think!). Yeah I feel a little silly -oh well not first - or last time.

I did take a pic but left the camera at home - will post tomorrow. I'm very curious if either my shocks are missing parts or the You-G shocks are very very primitive. I have another set coming on another chassis I recently bought off ebay so it will be interesting to see how they compare...Hopefully I can make 1 good pair from the 4 shocks

Thanks again for the help.

Brandon

[tamman77]

Keep going Dan!!! This thread is making for a great lesson in vintage shocks lol Brandon if you end up with bits you don't need i have a great home for them on various projects (need a cheeky faced smiley about here) Hope you end up with 2 shocks that work