HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 10 – Shocks

Tony Phalen October 30, 2012 RC Build Blog - HPI Savage XS SS Build 408 Views

The Build – Part 10
Step 10 involves building and attaching the front and rear shocks. There’s nothing new or complicated about the shocks so it’s a pretty straightforward build.

Build Notes:
Shocks involve shock fluid which, if you’re not careful, can easily get all over the place. Have some clean towels ready for clean up.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 147 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 147

The first step is to build 4 shock shaft assemblies. Take the shock shaft and, on the end that has the smaller threaded area, slide the parts on as shown: steel shim, piston, shim, locknut. Tighten down the locknut. You can go pretty tight here; we don’t want the piston wiggling around at all. Build 4 of these.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 148 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 148

Place two red o-rings into the bottom of the shock body as shown. Drip a drop of two of shock fluid down into the center of the o-rings and screw the lower shock cap into place. Build 4 of these.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 149 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 149

Slide one of the rubber downstops onto the shock shaft as shown. Take the shock shaft and SLOWLY feed it through the shock body and through the o-rings at the bottom of the shock. Once through, plunge the shock shaft a couple times to get it coated with the shock fluid you installed in Step 148. Now feed the two outer rubber bump stops onto the shaft (note the direction of the first bumpstop). Screw the shock eyelet onto the shock shaft and press the shock eyelet ball into place. Build 4 of these. Make sure they are all the same length; if they’re not, you can tighten or loosen the eyelets to adjust the length. WASH YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY WITH SOAP AND WATER BEFORE THE NEXT STEP!!

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 150 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 150

We will now press the black spring collar o-ring into the spring collar nut. This is much easier if you’re hands are not covered in shock oil so if you haven’t yet, WASH THEM! Build 4 of these and screw them onto the shock bodies. If they feel sticky, apply a small drop of shock fluid to the inside of the collar and thread them on.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 151 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 151

Press the orange o-ring into the shock cap as shown. This is a much easier step than Step 150. Build 4 of these.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 152 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 152

Set the shocks in your shock stand (you do have a shock stand, don’t you?) and fill them up with shock fluid. Plunge the shock shaft slowly up and down to release any air bubbles below the piston. Place back in the stand and let sit for a few minutes. Once the bubbles have risen to the top (and popped), fill thoe shocks up again to the top and screw the shock tops on about 90% of the way.

HPI Savage XS SS Build - Part 153 — HPI Savage XS SS Build – Part 153

Pull each shock from the shock stand and slowly collapse the shock shaft into the body as shown. You should see some shock fluid pour out the bleeder hole in the side of the shock cap. If you don’t you may not have enough oil in them. Open and fill with oil to the top of the body and repeat. If the shock won’t collapse, unscrew the cap another 1/2 turn and repeat this step. Once you have bled the shocks, tighten down the shock cap.