Missing/Loosing Shock lowers on Mini's

[sylentk]

So at first I thought it was just the wife bashing around the mini JRX2. Then in happened to me with a mini T 2.0.

The lower part of the shock, where it holds the spring in place. Magically disappeared. How does that happen?

And you can't really tell until you figure out it's driving a little wonky. Or do thorough inspection. Or like on the mini T, one rear tire is bald. But still kinda drove just fine. Like what?

As far as I know, you can t just get the lower "shock collar" (I'm going to call it that. Please advise if you know better.). But a new set of shocks. They're mini, it doesn't cost much, but it's just annoying. And who knows what other issues it has caused.

Anyone experience that?

I'm thinking of just glueing (or maybe taping) that lower shock collar. I wanted to experiment with springs on the mini t's (I've got 2) so glueing may not be the best answer. But an answer.

I do love my mini's, but I find I drive them more than my 1/10 racer. (The racer is the best, BTW) And therefore need to put more work into the minis? Insert wife and kids into the equation with the minis and there you go. IDK

 

[DavidB1126]

Yep. The spring cup or spring perch. Used to race my mini b last summer in carpet and that's a popular issues with the minis. At first I spray painted them yellow so if they were to go flying into the air I can see them on the grey/black carpet. Tried using zip ties which didn't work as the spring would rotate and undo the zip tie. Personally on some I glued the spring cup to the shock eyelet and spring which did help. Wouldn't recommend doing that if you are like me and rebuild shocks so often. My buddy 3d printed spring cups out which has a bigger lip so it will hold the spring in better VS the stock one was very small/short. The 3d printed ones were a bit too big and would rub on the lower shock body when compressed so I cut a little bit of plastic off the spring cup and worked better. Now since I don't track and race it alot, under bashing it holds up well. Using the aluminum shocks on mine. I can find links and pictures in the morning but in the meantime you can check out my mini b build thread and showcase here:

Losi Mini B club racer build thread
Losi Mini B showcase

 

[DavidB1126]

One of these 2 I believe my buddy printed out
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6557061
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6166258

 

[sylentk]

Thanks for the feedback on what you've tried. Very helpful.

That's super cool! I need a 3D printer. Pretty sure the wife won't let me

So I'm glad someone else has experienced this. Possibly confirms I'm not crazy. But still I'm wondering why they pop off in the first place? Never had that happen in my 1/10 world.

This is another reason I want to mess with spring weight and shock oil. It's just weird.

As for going forward protection. I'm thinking the KT tape I have (think stretchy sticky tape for physical therapy/sports) could help. Or Ductk tape. Or Gorilla Glue. IDK pick an animal and call the solution that? HA. we'll see.

 

[WickedFog]

Drill a tiny hole in the spring perch. Maybe even do a couple places. Use some stainless jewelers wire and run through the hole around your spring. Twist tight with a needle nose plier.

 

[DavidB1126]

Drill a tiny hole in the spring perch. Maybe even do a couple places. Use some stainless jewelers wire and run through the hole around your spring. Twist tight with a needle nose plier.

Or that can help
Edit: Maybe . Tried the same thing with zip ties and the spring would rotate around. But since you will be twisting the stainless wire I'm sure it will stay secure.

But still I'm wondering why they pop off in the first place?

The factory spring cups, the lip on them are alot shorter which makes the spring pop out. Vs the 3d printed ones I found on thingiverse, they are alot bigger which can hold the spring in place better. Or what can possibly help is firmer springs. When I ran on carpet, I was running kit black springs, but most of my race buddies were running the gold springs.

Kit vs modded spring perch:

I need a 3D printer. Pretty sure the wife won't let me

Do you have a local hobby shop or anywhere you know of that can do 3d printing? Might help. My local hobby shop is family owned, he does soldering, RC, PC repairs, stickers and 3d printing. Most of any 3d printed parts I need I get from him.

 

[tntpoof]

I had this happen on more rc than just minis 1/10 scale . I used a dab of thick super glue with a Q tip sprayed with ca accelerant.never lost one after