Blown (hehe) Shocks (dampers)

[Sirbelch]

I was staring off into space today at work and I came to the conclusion that I really have no idea what a blown shock (damper) is. I know what the symptoms of a blown shock (damper) are, the ride is rough and shock (damper) doesn't control the frequency of the spring too well, but what i want to know is what is actually physically happening inside the shock (damper) when the shock (damper) is blown. Does anybody know?

[LucasBlack]

(*nasty semi-NWS metaphor soon following)

imagine the point in time where a male has reached sexual physical climax. that certain part of him is "fully functioning". now imagine the point immediately after he "blows". that certain part of him "becomes weak" and tends to not be able to perform as it did before it "blew".

how's that work?


*i.e. - loss of fluids.

[FBP FG2]

Originally Posted by LucasBlack

(*nasty semi-NWS metaphor soon following)

imagine the point in time where a male has reached sexual physical climax. that certain part of him is "fully functioning". now imagine the point immediately after he "blows". that certain part of him "becomes weak" and tends to not be able to perform as it did before it "blew".

how's that work?


*i.e. - loss of fluids.

LMAO dude that was creative. I love that.

[Jardiniboy]

You'll just see fluid on the side of the shocks or on the floor.

[BATANG CITY JAIL]

seal leak.

[Sirbelch]

^^^ (the 2 above) Seeing fluid is a symptom of a seal leak not a cause of a blown shock (damper). Isn't a seal leak the end result of a blown shock (damper)? I want to know what causes that to happen.

[honda93]

Originally Posted by Sirbelch

^^^ (the 2 above) Seeing fluid is a symptom of a seal leak not a cause of a blown shock (damper). Isn't a seal leak the end result of a blown shock (damper)? I want to know what causes that to happen.

Usually, the actual components in a shock (valving stacks-think of washers with holes) don't wear because they are constantly bathed in oil. However, it is the shock oil that is often the culprit in a worn shock. That oil does get old... It gets dirty, smelly, and cavitates (produces air bubbles) thereby contributing to the sensation of being shot.

A blown shock usually has some sort of leak or let-go that results in the oil coming out from the top seal where the piston shaft enters the shock body. My custom-valved Koni Sports were notorious for this on the old 1993 Civic which is why I am running Bilstein components on the new 2006 Civic.

Just out of curiosity, if anyone has blown or "shot" rear shocks, I'll take them off your hands. I'm still looking for a cheap pair of rears to experiment with.

Anthony "Mario" Crea
NNJR-SCCA

[Sirbelch]

Originally Posted by honda93

Usually, the actual components in a shock (valving stacks-think of washers with holes) don't wear because they are constantly bathed in oil. However, it is the shock oil that is often the culprit in a worn shock. That oil does get old... It gets dirty, smelly, and cavitates (produces air bubbles) thereby contributing to the sensation of being shot.

A blown shock usually has some sort of leak or let-go that results in the oil coming out from the top seal where the piston shaft enters the shock body. My custom-valved Koni Sports were notorious for this on the old 1993 Civic which is why I am running Bilstein components on the new 2006 Civic.

Just out of curiosity, if anyone has blown or "shot" rear shocks, I'll take them off your hands. I'm still looking for a cheap pair of rears to experiment with.

Anthony "Mario" Crea
NNJR-SCCA

Have you heard of anyone else with this problem? I am looking at getting a set of custom koni's right now. Thanks for the explanation. I know the parts of the damper, i just didn't know how it would "blow." I'd rep you if i could.

[Highrev1]

The ots konis are different than the custom ones....THey don't like to be abused on the street as much...Even with the OTS RSX konis they had inital problems with seals going bad but were quickly fixed.

In having the custom Konis for the SI already I autoxed them and street drove them and NEVER had an issue....And the guy who has them NOW has no issues I think you'll be ok for this car Belch....IF your unhappy with customs in ANYWAY then I will trade you mine

[honda93]

Originally Posted by Highrev1

The ots konis are different than the custom ones....THey don't like to be abused on the street as much...Even with the OTS RSX konis they had inital problems with seals going bad but were quickly fixed.

In having the custom Konis for the SI already I autoxed them and street drove them and NEVER had an issue....And the guy who has them NOW has no issues I think you'll be ok for this car Belch....IF your unhappy with customs in ANYWAY then I will trade you mine

Yes, I should have been specific...

On the 1993 Civic the OTS Koni Sports went 3 years (and 3 race seasons) without a problem. Upon having Truechoice rebuild and revalve them one of the fronts blew at its first event. The other front went 2 events later followed by a rear a year after that. All were blamed on a $0.25 seal.

Bilsteins are bulletproof... Well, not literally, I'm sure shooting one would seriously f*ck it up.

Anthony "Mario" Crea
NNJR-SCCA

[Sirbelch]

Well three years of more abuse than i could afford (time/money) seems to make the Koni's reliable enough for me. But it still makes me .

[honda93]

Originally Posted by Sirbelch

Well three years of more abuse than i could afford (time/money) seems to make the Koni's reliable enough for me. But it still makes me .

Unopened, OTS (off-the-shelf) Konis are a great shock for the money.

It's once they get customized is when things have a tendency to get ugly.

Anthony "Mario" Crea
NNJR-SCCA

[Sirbelch]

All they have out now are custom, opened, Konis. Can I ask how much your Blistens cost?

[honda93]

I only have rears, but their revalve rate is $65 per shock for non-adjustables. The shocks themselves cost about $65 as well.

I am almost ready to do a complete write up at which time I will reveal which donor chassis they came from. Once I post it, I expect to me made into an 8th civic demi-god.

Anthony "Mario" Crea
NNJR-SCCA

[Highrev1]

What about the fronts???? What are you doing about those???

[iomatic]

I want a thorough discussion on perfect setups between greg and mario for auto-x, mix (some track and dd), and daily driver-only, including recommended brands and setup start points, and directions from those starting points. PLEASE!

Thanks, guys, I've learned a lot from you and sirbelch.

[Highrev1]

What class??

FIRST THING TO GET IS Seat Time, Seat Time, Seat Time!!!!! And when your done getting that Get more seat time... OK look...Let's say for your first autox you get an awesome set of R comp tires right, they tend to hide mistakes and allow for you to appear to be a better driver than you really are...I do it all the time
Learn your car AS is to its absolute Max then change what you don't like about what the car is doing. That CAN"T be done on the street either.
Just going and slapping on parts won't help you much....Spend some time around the guys who do this stuff...as much time as you can they are all very friendly and will always be willing to help.

Thats the first thing I would do...

[iomatic]

Light mod solo?

Not the Heavily modified class, for sure... i.e., not this far:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Mnt73.jpg

[Highrev1]

G-Stock, StX, Pick a class....:)

[iomatic]

Solo II for our cars?

I dunno, gonna start next season

d-stock?