CrazyCooter
Member
Ron I think you will understand this better as in names of parts than most because you know shocks. When I asked him about having these shocks serviced in the future by another person since you are closing can I get some details about the interior guts, possibly part numbers to explain to my shock builder to see if he can service them. He replied basically I don’t have time for this “crap” (used Otherword). You bought a f’n precision performance shock and it won’t need serviced. I replied that I didn’t mean any disrespect but I’m planning on buying either a 2025 or 2026 RT and would like to possibly put these on that if possible so these shocks will last for the next 10 years. Any shock will need recharged or sealed over that time and mileage. He replied everything on his shock is rebuildable. Anyone should be able to figure it out with any knowledge. I’ve got to much f’n work to get done. When did you buy them? He asked. Replied ordered last august received in April. He said you want numbers, I’ll send you my April spyder shocks orders and you waste your time figuring out which one. They are all custom made. I received the excell print out. I’ll admit he kept good records. There are no customer names but I looked at my spring and found that on his list first and think I’m #2 produced. All 9 say custom tube with no number. That’s the body tube. Fine that’s his. He list the seals. After finding them online they are all about same specs as in sizes. Here is where I am questioning things. The first 2 (I think mine has Bilstein with part number) bilstein is mass produced and very reputable. Not best, not worst. Middle line product. He didn’t make them just purchased and force fitted in his custom cap. The next 2 have Ohlins. Again reputable but why the change? Why another 2 in a row? Better, possibly. Now to me, the seals should be the same for all his shocks for the spyder rt or f3 for consistency. Seals have nothing to do with weight and ride style. Maybe not but weird that seals changed 2 in a row. The last 5 are different yet. They are listed K-Tech. Again reputable and standard definitely different again . Now other things. The First 2 have McMaster part number using a split end piston. Why split? Seems a bit odd to me. The Other 7 are using a solid pin can’t figure out where they came from. Why the 2 different pin types? For the end cap and dust caps they say in-house. So he had the tubes or housing obviously sent out and produced somewhere else. The thread for the caps and ends match so are probably standard thread but he made with his CNC equipment. Why different seals? Couldn’t figure out which was better or worked better? Then why the difference in pin types? My guess the split didn’t work so changed it.
Next the oil. Won’t even say what it is but it’s no where’s close to amsoil! Again that’s normal for shocks I guess. I know for example KYB shock oil is nothing close to ams and that’s the first thing done or changed from the factory built shocks. These are custom high precision shocks and agin I’m not listing the oil but not the highest in my opinion. The only consistent part with all 9 was standard 14mm X-Ring. There is nothing special on this list other than the actual housing and The seals cap for the bodytube. He used standard BUNA O-Ring that you can get anywhere. The end parts and connectors again have multiple different numbers but I understand using different venders for same parts I assume. I can’t find those vendor numbers but guessing price related for changing parts. I totally understand the different companies for the springs. Those are custom for each and what makes it special for style and weight.
Now for the pistons. Only part numbers no company name. I found 2 of them listed under TRC pistons. My shock guy shook his head about that. We’ll just leave it at that. But for being told everything is in-house and custom made there’s only 2 parts I can see on list that can’t be purchased elsewhere. In my opinion seals are like tires. A company picks one manufacturer and stays with them. Same with pistons. Maybe changes for different models but all should be same for one model. The seals are reputable, some better than others in my opinion. The machining is good as in appearance. The entire shock is definitely well made and works. Problem is you have no clue what you have till it’s ripped apart. Why the different pins? Why the different seals? Why that oil? And where did these pistons come from? All custom made with custom parts? Nope I don’t think so. Just a custom tube and mass produced mixed parts.
Willing to share the part #'s? In my conversations with Marcus, he complained about all the leak problems he had with the Bilstein bearing head assemblies and had found something that would work much better. Not sure if that was truth or BS since he never delivered our shocks, but I could guess a seal spec'd for a Bilstein with the same shaft diameter would be a fit - I have a bunch of those on the shelf.
Oil - That's a whole 'nother can of worms in itself! Without knowing what oil your shock has in it, I'd only service them in pairs. I'm a faithful Amsoil guy and have probably $15K in inventory on the shelf, but I WILL NOT use Amsoil's suspension fluid in a shock due to its low viscosity index spec. The damping changes SO much through the temperature range that if you tune for say a 125° shock temp, it will be way too firm when cold and the opposite when hot. My KTM 1290 rear shock is right behind the exhaust pipe, so it starts off too firm and "goes away" as the shock temp exceeds 150°+. Using something from Maxima or Redline who shares the actual viscosity specs has been a huge help for me.
Any info you could share would help me service people on the West Coast should the need arise. I fully intend to make a new decision on what shocks to purchase and suspect they won't be to our liking out of the box as has happened with all of our ZJeep, truck, and moto suspension which has led to my custom tuning and tricked down to servicing people all over the world and a few locals too.
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