As I wrote in my review of the 1:8 Scale Team Losi Raminator Monster Truck:
“The problem I have with the shocks is that instead of one huge shock with a puny shaft it wold have been better to put two medium sized shocks on each tire. That way you won't put 13lbs of moving muscle stress on one shock per tire. During my early runs the shock shaft snapped in half at the bottom on the right front tire. Don't get me wrong the massive shocks do look cool but really aren't the right choice for this truck, in my opinion.”
1. Broken Shaft
Shaft broken at bottom threads; inset: bottom piece of shock that had the broken piece down inside.
All I did was run off the side of a curb (not fast or roughly) and ended up with a limping, lop-sided RC. One of the shock shafts broke off at the bottom threads, as shown in the picture.
Fortunately, the shock rebuild itself is reasonably easy given you have the right tools...
2. Wrenches
Set of mini wrenches fit small RC parts just right.
I have a set of wrenches which I call my lucky wrenches because every time I have used them for small nuts and bolts they luckily fit just right. I don't remember where my friend got them before he gave them to me but they sure are handy.
If you don't have a set of mini wrenches you will have to possibly resort to using the good ol' trusty needle nosed pliers.
3. Hex Drivers
Color-coded hex drivers.
4. Shock Oil
Shock Oil
5. Partially Disassemble the Shock
Plastic bushing, lock nut, and flat washer for top portion of shock.
6. Remove the Shock Oil
If you plan on using the same shock oil that is in the shock that you are repairing simply remove the little hex screw at the top of the shock cap, pump the shock shaft back and forth and the fluid will squirt out in a controllable stream into whatever container you have handy. Less messy than pouring it out of the top of the shock and having it flow down the sides.
After you remove most of the shock oil you can then remove the top cap of the shock by turning it counter clockwise. It might be tough so what you can do is carefully take and put a screwdriver in the top loop of the the shock and carefully turn it with the screwdriver to get a little more leverage. Be careful not to twist or break the top loop.
7. Remove the (Broken) Shock Shaft
Removing the shock shaft is easy. There are no menacing e-clips here. Loosen the little lock nut on the inside of the shock.
After you remove the lock nut push the shock shaft upward a bit to remove the dampening disc. Then push the shock shaft downward back through the bottom of the shock.
Looking closely at the broken shock shaft I noticed rough edges where it broke. This could have cut or roughed up the little rubber seals at the bottom of the shock causing the shock to leak and loose fluid. Pushing the shaft downward through the bottom kept that from happening.
8. Replace the Shaft and Reassemble
New Losi shock shaft, special ordered through local hobby shop.
Now just replace the new shock shaft in place of the old one and put it back together. If you kept the old fluid pour it back into the shock and use the standard method of shock fluid replacement to work all the air bubble out and put the cap back on and tighten it down just a tad more than snug.
Make sure to put that little hex screw back into the top cap of the shock or you will have a big mess when you go to take that first big jump. Cleaning shock fluid off of you electronics is definitely not a fun job!
I hope that this shock shaft lasts. I had to order mine through my local hobby shop and wait a week to get it and when you have as much fun as I do with this RC you will not want to wait to get it up and running again.