Boing! Springs...

[o0wiz0o]

Hello.

My Emaxx has the stock red springs all round. I have some white progressive rear springs off my stampede lying around. They are all rears and would fit.

Are these firmer? Would I best benefit by putting one red and one white per corner? Does it matter which shock they go on?

Edit: I have four of the white rear springs...

[M n M]

They may fit but I'd have to check with Traxxas or somehow measure the spring rate. If it's the same part number for the spring between the Pede and E Maxx then I'd say yes they are the same rate. But if they are a different part number I'd be leaning towards no they are a different rate.

I see a lot of folks mix up their spring rate. Personally I just can't wrap my head around this. I understand the concept of it, but it's the mechanics of it that still has me wondering.

I total see the benefit of stacking a softer spring on top of a stiffer spring as in the Pro-Line Power Stroke shocks. Although they are very hard to come by for the Maxx trucks. I believe you can get them as a set for the Slash.

So, as I see it, the idea or concept is that having a softer spring is to absorb the small choppy terrain and have the heavier springs come into play for ride height and jumps. My problem is that it seems when a soft spring is placed next to a stiff spring… the stiff spring won't allow the softer on to work as intended. The two shocks on are mounted to one lower A-arm, so in effect they are working as a single unit.

Any of you veterans please assist, I'd like to know some other opinions.

Well that's my rambling for the day.

[PowerToTheMaxx]

Yes and no. When 2 springs of different rates are on the same shock you get that progressive rate like the Power Strokes. The same can be acheived with progressive rate springs which mearly combines the 2 springs into one. Thats how the white progressive rate/dual rate springs that are on the BL Maxx and the Pede.

When 2 different springs are on 2 shocks on the same arm you get basically the mean of their rates. For example, I run 4 stock springs and 4 aftermarket springs that are about twice the rate of the stock springs. I do this because running all 8 aftermarket springs is to stiff and all 8 stock springs is to soft for my truck and driving.

When you have different rate on the same corner you get little to no progressive action. However if you run one dual rate and one single rate, you get a combined effect that you would get by stacking that dual rate ontop of the single rate in a super-size shock.

Basically MnM is right, I just added alot of detail.

Some basic tips but not alot about springs:
http://www.myrcbox.com/articles/tech...-tuning-guide/

[o0wiz0o]

I think it makes sense. So if I add a single stronger white spring to each corner the suspension will be slightly stiffer overall which I think is what I'm after.

[trax de max]

If you want stiffer go with stronger springs and increase the fluid in the shocks. Just changing the springs would make it bounce like a crazy mule, You've probably seen some vids and think that seems bouncy while others seem more smooth.

[o0wiz0o]

Good point.

[trax de max]

remember the same goes for too heavy too. Whats good for one person may not be the same for another, but it does give you a good starting point.

[o0wiz0o]

I'm just after the front not hitting the floor as much...Only doing mild jumps really....

[trax de max]

That would be heavier oil ,if you have option to change the piston holes and are using two, change to one. also because of the more resistance of the piston stronger springs is needed to extend the shocks again.
Just using stronger springs won't fix the problem that your having.
If you keep landing on the front wheels, keep practising to land on all 4's.
larger capacity shock body the better for more oil.

[o0wiz0o]

Thanks matey. You are a wise one. That all makes sense...What shock oil would you use? What is stock? I have no parts so cannot alter the pistons. This was second hand so no parts tree.

[M n M]

Staying on the throttle will help keep the front end up. Too much throttle and you'll land on the tail end.

As an example of what Trax is referring to as far as setting up for what you like. For my 13 pound truck and my driving style, two hole pistons with 80wt oil sitting on 6.9 lbs/in rated springs work well for me. I still slap the skid plates on big jumps but the suspension is nimble enough to control it over rough terrain.

If your truck is still pretty much stock, I'd try starting with 50wt oil with the white progressive springs. Add whatever preload clips you feel is needed to give you the ride height and rebound you desire.

Like Trax said, you can always replace the 2 hole pistons with the 1 hole piston. Or you can increase the oil thickness.

Not sure what brand comes stock, I think Traxxas has their own brand, but the stock wt is 30. I'm currently using Losi brand oil and happy with it. I've used Associated oil before and while it's a good name brand I found it to thin out only after a month worth of bashing.

[o0wiz0o]

Ta guys.....

[trax de max]

i got the power strokes with 32.5 wt, but this is a completley different to what you are using. I have no idea of what the spring rates are, or whats available, as I never had them.

[goalieman3037]

when it comes to shocks, i believe theres something you need to remember about changing shock oil that I never see anyone say...until i went back and seen that trax already said what i was going to say....lol... that will teach me to ready all the post before i add my 2 cents...that would be post #9

[M n M]

when it comes to shocks, i believe theres something you need to remember about changing shock oil that I never see anyone say...until i went back and seen that trax already said what i was going to say....lol... that will teach me to ready all the post before i add my 2 cents...that would be post #9

Which part, changing the pistons? Or landing on all 4's? Or the bigger the body the more oil the better damping?

I tried one hole pistons a while back with 50 wt oil and white progressive springs. They worked well together. But I tried to push it and bumped up to 70wt oil and then I started to blow the pistons off the shaft inside the body. So I went back to the two hole pistons but added 80wt oil.

[goalieman3037]

lol sorry M n M the part about using heavier oil,and or a less hole piston needing a stronger spring to extend the shock again!

[M n M]

lol sorry M n M the part about using heavier oil,and or a less hole piston needing a stronger spring to extend the shock again!

Yeah I figured thats what you meant. I was just goofing. But you are right, there are very few people suggesting to change out there pistons. It's not that hard to do. I think that folks either don't have the pistons anymore. Or they feel that if they have to open up the shock and dump oil in order to change up the pistons, it's easier to just go thicker.

[goalieman3037]

M n M I dont know how you do it? I was thinking that 50wt was the limit for traxxas shock without blowing the plastic caps off the shocks...are using the aluminum shock caps too?

[trax de max]

don't forget the weight of the truck too, thats also a factor in spring rate. Start adding metal and the pounds will soon add up.

[M n M]

M n M I dont know how you do it? I was thinking that 50wt was the limit for traxxas shock without blowing the plastic caps off the shocks...are using the aluminum shock caps too?

Umm, I'm trying to remember what wt I was using with my all stock Ultra's. I believe I was using 50wt with 2 hole pistons. I never blow off any caps and no I wasn't using aluminum ones either. But I'm not a real high jumping hard basher either.

My problem was when I changed to Aluminum Team Blue Star shocks and tried to use 70wt with one hole pistons. The oil was so thick trying to pass through that one hole it would rip the piston off the shaft! I was doing some routine maintenance after a run and noticed the suspension was bouncy. I took the shock off, removed the cap and found the piston and e-clip floating in the oil.

So that's when I went back to the two hole pistons.

Yep, Trax... You are very correct, the heavier the truck the beefier the suspension needs to be.

[o0wiz0o]

I think mine is almost stock. Had a 775 motor stuck in it which may reduce weight I guess. Going to add some Ally skid plates as the plastic ones are being eaten alive. I do like the handling as is. It's a really fun truck to drive.

[PowerToTheMaxx]

Also relize that not all oils are created equal. Some oils will react to temps, they get thicker when cold and thinner when hot. I know that LOSI gaurentees their oil will stay the same in a certian temp range. I dont know if other manufacters do the same or not.

Whenever you have the choice, go with LOSI oil cause it aint that much more expensive and it really works great.

Just my opinion.

[MaxxRacer 2012]

They would fit if they came off of the progressive shocks, But if you want awsome springs use losi springs.