Kraken or IRC shocks?
- Thread starter HXRC
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I 100% do not reccomend the Kraken shocks. Their plastic is very stretchy and brittle. I couldn't keep the ends from stretching and breaking, so I went back to stock and haven't had an issue.
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I appreciate the response, this was the R&D info I was looking for.
I keep bending shafts and getting leaks. Granted I'm not using them on a Baja, they take a lot of abuse before bending, and I can buy a lot of stock shocks/shafts for the price of the IRCs. I just can't shake the feeling I'd have less problems with a higher quality shock.
For instance I just had a VVC cap break when changing the oil. I'm also having to run ridiculously thick oil.
I keep bending shafts and getting leaks. Granted I'm not using them on a Baja, they take a lot of abuse before bending, and I can buy a lot of stock shocks/shafts for the price of the IRCs. I just can't shake the feeling I'd have less problems with a higher quality shock.
For instance I just had a VVC cap break when changing the oil. I'm also having to run ridiculously thick oil.
Following along out of curiosity but was wondering where you are seeing complete Kraken shocks. Piecing together anything is 100's of percent more expensive than finding take off's for instance.
Ferrebee88 shock looks smashed like an exposed buggy shock would be. Without a guard, 1 good smash might break it on a whim. Stretching and smashed i see as two different things but he has way more experience than i do.
HXRC:
Hopefully the below doesn’t read like I am slamming you cause that is the last thing I want it to write like. If so, accept my apologies and I will edit as I like to learn even if I don’t have your particular RC platform.
One: For your VVD ends how do you take them off? The tooling mark looks like they are held in a vise. The vise is fine but invest in some soft jaws. How are you taking the cap off tool wise? Pliers, needle nose etc are bound to snap that powdered metal.
Two: Before a major investment in different shocks how do you build them? Dry, Green Slime or shock oil? Does putting an o-ring(s) or fuel tubing under the piston help? Shafts bend because they have nowhere else to go under full compression. Do you run Limiting Straps? They also bend because at full extension they have nowhere to extend and more 50% the original shaft size. A shock shaft is like a leverage bar. The more there is trying to lift a heavy load (aka your RC) the more chance of that bar bending or snapping trying to pick up that heavy load.
That shock was definitely not smashed. It looks like that because it completely snapped at the top. I had the same issue on my Vekta.5 with the rod ends stretching out. The Kraken shocks for the Baja would be great if they would put some harder plastic on the top cap.
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DDM has the complete front kraken shocks on sale right now.
The shock cap was put in a vice after the top broke off to get it out of the shock body. They're typically removed with a pair of crescent wrenches, which is how it broke. I assume it worked itself tighter or I over tightened it last service.
I'm no stranger to why they're bending. Chassis slaps the ground and I'm running droop screws. (Again, not a 5b, but I'm using 5b shocks for their dimensions),
They're bending in accidents, this weekend it was getting T-boned by a K8 at full speed.
They're bending from hard hits and is usually the only thing that fails. Now, I know that energy has to go somewhere. However, I can't help feel 8mm shafts would handle the abuse better and keep me racing.
I'm running ddm HD springs with 2-4k diff fluid in the VVC shocks without O-rings on the aluminum pistons to get my damping correct. And they still leak, although typically only once they get the slightest bend. I assemble my shocks/seals with whatever silicone oil I'm using; and I'm getting sick of doing it every week.
(Correct weight oil with the piston O-rings installed would result in the O-rings blowing off the piston. Edit: stock plastic pistons the plastic gets blown out.)
Edit: rumor has it 5ive caps fit the kraken shocks
The shock cap was put in a vice after the top broke off to get it out of the shock body. They're typically removed with a pair of crescent wrenches, which is how it broke. I assume it worked itself tighter or I over tightened it last service.
I'm no stranger to why they're bending. Chassis slaps the ground and I'm running droop screws. (Again, not a 5b, but I'm using 5b shocks for their dimensions),
They're bending in accidents, this weekend it was getting T-boned by a K8 at full speed.
They're bending from hard hits and is usually the only thing that fails. Now, I know that energy has to go somewhere. However, I can't help feel 8mm shafts would handle the abuse better and keep me racing.
I'm running ddm HD springs with 2-4k diff fluid in the VVC shocks without O-rings on the aluminum pistons to get my damping correct. And they still leak, although typically only once they get the slightest bend. I assemble my shocks/seals with whatever silicone oil I'm using; and I'm getting sick of doing it every week.
(Correct weight oil with the piston O-rings installed would result in the O-rings blowing off the piston. Edit: stock plastic pistons the plastic gets blown out.)
Edit: rumor has it 5ive caps fit the kraken shocks
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Gotcha. Was the rest of the shock ok? What did Kraken say about the break?
I wonder if the Primal RC Shock Caps would fit. Not many other RC out there with big arse shocks to raid parts form.
Gotta hit up Mick Mars for some V1/V2/V3 parts to try.
Got irc shocks on the 5t 2.0. Very stiff springs but other than that seem OK. Definitely get the special wrench that they need for disassembly or your going to struggle. I'm not sure but I know I tried a set of ddm red springs and super stiff, truck 3 wheeled around corners. I think I have the springs that came with the irc shocks on right now and makes rear end hop on bumps and jumps. Couldn't get losi shocks at the time and would prefer them but one had busted shaft. I think I have raminator ends on as a shock extender . Been like 2 years and being 61 memory not so good.don't be afraid to experiment, part of the fun!!!! Actually I think raminator steering rod ends as shock extension....the stock steering link ends. Believe it or not since shock oil doesn't compress can cause shafts to bend if over filled or to thick too.
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The rest of the shock was ok. I noticed the first run with them that the ends popped out easily, so I put a stopper/washer on the end to keep them in place. What hapens is that they stretch very easily and then wobble around, so it slams. I was having the same issues with my Vekta.5 with the rod ends on the rear links, so I replaced the ball ends with Heim joints.
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Oh yeah if I'm spend the money on shocks I'll get them the special wrenches!
Agreed!
I do know that. I make sure all of the shocks I build don't hydro-lock on the bench.
John Parks
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Irc Shocks are better, thicker shafts, bigger bodies, alot more spring options. Great quality, the have billet caps as well so no worries about breaks.
Other options though are losi 5ive-t shocks, and the kraken Vekta.5 shocks. They take a bit of modding, but so far the Vekta.5 shocks are my favorite, extremely smooth, huge, and durable. They don't take much extra work
Other options though are losi 5ive-t shocks, and the kraken Vekta.5 shocks. They take a bit of modding, but so far the Vekta.5 shocks are my favorite, extremely smooth, huge, and durable. They don't take much extra work
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I've thought about going to 5ive shocks, but the bore is a bit large and the shaft a bit short for my use. The spring might rub on the axle and I'll loose some travel. Honestly though, that's what's in the spare parts bin, so that's probably what I'll try next.
I do really like the look of those vekta shocks.
Thanks for the idea! Though they seem expensive compared to the IRCs.
Here's the RC these shocks are actually going on. A heavily modified Dbxle
I do really like the look of those vekta shocks.
Thanks for the idea! Though they seem expensive compared to the IRCs.
Here's the RC these shocks are actually going on. A heavily modified Dbxle
ccpm raptor
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John Parks
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If you install the shock extentions from Detroit Performance it puts them at the correct length, and you can run irc springs from the losi irc shocks to get a stiffer spring rate. They also don't rub the axle, on a baja. The vekta shocks are about twice the size of irc shocks and run way smoother.
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Limit straps aren't going to keep the shocks from turning into an L.
I've only ripped out 1 rod end.
Hmm, good thought John on the shock extenders. That'd also give me more clearance at the axle.
The beefy vekta shocks are sounding like they'll be too big and rub the axle. I currently have 0mm of clearance between a 5ive shock and the axle.
I've only ripped out 1 rod end.
Hmm, good thought John on the shock extenders. That'd also give me more clearance at the axle.
The beefy vekta shocks are sounding like they'll be too big and rub the axle. I currently have 0mm of clearance between a 5ive shock and the axle.
John Parks
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Wow that's tight lol. Looks like vekta shocks are for sure not an option lol
FG-paul
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out of curiosity lads is the fixings for these shocks m4 ? and the overall lengh ?
cheers paul
cheers paul
FG-paul
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cheers mate for that info mate it helps loads