Shock upgrade or rebuild?

SSuperWRM · 2025-03-28T12:45:25+00:00

Hey all! I have a stock MST RMX 2.0 that the shocks are lack luster. I have tried to rebuild them with the current internals but they leak pretty bad even after greasing up the o-rings. I like the aspect of putting things together and feel that it helps to understand how things work.

Thoughts or experiences with buying upgraded shocks (TR 56/60/TDA, Yokomo Big Bore or different brand) or rebuild current shocks with new internals (new o-rings, piston top with different holes, new bladders)??

Driver2 · 2025-03-29T02:10:38+00:00

SuperWRM I have a suggestion since it sounds like you enjoy tinkering…

You could definitely rebuild those shocks so you can understand the inner workings (tinker) whilst also purchasing an upgraded set of absorbers too.

That way there's a few things you could benefit from:

Understanding how the internals work
Performance of stock vs upgraded
Comparative tuning on your car
An upgrade waiting for you when you're ready

Explore a few different brands as well there are some hidden gems out there that aren't marketed to the masses that produce some top quality parts.

SSuperWRM · 2025-03-29T23:55:57+00:00

Driver2

Love that idea. A lot of fun building things and getting a good tune and really dial things in.

What would be some of the hidden gems? Are most of the shocks roughly the same size internal wise? I was looking at some rev d springs in a couple different stiffnesses to accompany the fresh rebuild.

Driver2 · 2025-03-30T00:37:45+00:00

SuperWRM building is always half of the fun and all of the reward

Yeah most of them are the same internals, you are really only going to have a different bore size (big bore vs standard). Below are two I think which are decent:

3Racing: Big Bore Shock Absorbers, Standard Shock Absorbers
SNRC: Shock Absorbers
- 124000 12mm Front
- 160023 12mm Rear
- 124300 13mm Front
- 160323 13mm Rear

The SNRC does have Aluminium pistons and plastic ones. So you can experiment a little with both, I've found them to actually be quite decent when using our 50cst oil with them.

Have tried a lot of brands, really what it balls down to is what you think feels right for your car for the way you drive. So experiment away and let me know of any feedback you have!

We might need to design some big bores ourselves

SSuperWRM · 2025-03-31T14:13:00+00:00

Thanks for the input and advice! Am going to be ordering parts this morning for some rebuilds. I picked up two RMX's for cheap as my first ones so will be fun setting them up a differently and seeing what works the best.

Combat_drftr · 2025-04-01T05:33:05+00:00

SuperWRM there are alot of brands out there now. All the design and concepts are about the same. Certain brands will have better options. For example I will use are Overdose High Grades which I use in all my chassis.. they are not just for looks, but alot of adjustability.. the tops of the dampers have height adjustability meaning you can make damper longer or shorter, the different pistons you can get not just thickness, but also different sizes of piston holes allow for more tunability for whatever tracks you are running.. and these dampers use mineral exclusively vs silicon based.. mineral oil tends to not get affected by temps..

we will be doing a post in here exclusively talking about dampers and tuning soon.. stay tuned for that announcement and thanks for posting this topic! We at skidpad appreciate these posts!!

SSuperWRM · 2025-04-01T16:21:21+00:00

Combat_drftr

Thank for the input! Appreciate all the help!

What o-rings are you using when you run mineral oil? I have looked into that as the stock MST's are supposed to use mineral oils. In the process of upgrading/rebuilding my shocks, trying to figure out what o-ring to use and that will base what oils I'll need to get is just as hard lol

IdealAutoFactory · 2025-04-03T00:39:58+00:00

SuperWRM

Yokomo Blue or Reve D Red O Rings do the trick. Silicone Oil and done. It such a simple formula…well for me at least. I have had fewer leaks, if any in 2 years since I went blue/red and silicone.

Combat_drftr · 2025-04-11T05:01:00+00:00

SuperWRM regular orings will work with mineral oil. and one more thing about mineral oil is they don't attack o rings. meaning they don't swell the o-rings. selling of rings means binding so the articulation of the damper shaft is limited. But like what Ideal said certain o rings have better materials that prevents this. I have used Tammy rings in the past, but some of these leak overtime..