User's Manual

Form 4957RINST Rev 060221
Progressive Spring Installation Instructions
Covers Part #4957R
www.TRAXXAS.com
Traxxas, 1100 Klein Road, Plano, TX 75074, Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]
Remove the Shock Absorber
1. Remove the 3x12
shoulder screw that
s
ecures the top of
the shock from the
shock tower.
2. Remove the 3x15
countersunk
machine screw that secures
the bottom of the shock to
the lower suspension arm.
3. Lift the shock absorber from the
lower suspension arm and out
through the upper suspension arm.
Replace the Shock Spring
1. Remove the lower spring retainer from
the shock shaft by compressing the spring
toward the top of the shock body to release
tension on the retainer. Next, push the
retainer up off of the shock end, and slide
the shaft through the slot of the retainer to
remove the retainer from the shock.
2. Slide the spring down and off of the shock
absorber, and replace it with the T-Maxx
progressive rate spring.
3. Compress the spring, and install the retainer
by inserting the shaft through the slot in the
retainer. Make sure that the retainer is in the
same orientation as it was with the stock spring.
The spring should fit around the top of the retainer.
4. Release the spring and the retainer so that the bottom
of the retainer slips over the top of the shock end. The
shock is ready for installation.
5. Install the shock absorber using the first three steps in
reverse order.
Progressive Spring Rate Chart
Under light-duty driving, the progressive rate springs soak up
the small bumps as a softer spring would, but when the
c
onditions get rough and the jumps get big, the progressive
rate springs step up to the challenge by getting firmer as the
suspension is compressed. This resists the chassis from
bottoming out from jumps to keep the chassis under control.
• Notice how all of the curves from this graph ramp up. This
illustrates the rapid increase of wheel force as the suspension
is compressed. Compare this chart to the Stock Spring Rate
Chart (below left).
• This graph also shows the effects of mounting the shocks in
the optional shock locations. As the lower shock position is
moved outward, the suspension travel decreases and the
wheel force increases.
Tuning Tips and Suggestions:
• Rough track conditions: lower mount #1 and #2
• Smooth track conditions: lower mount #3 and #4
• Upper mount: Should be used only as a
fine-tuning adjustment:
• Position (A) is best for most conditions.
• Position (B) will decrease the damping
feel slightly while increasing the force of
the spring slightly.
• Position (0) is intended for use with first
generation T-Maxx suspension arms.
With the second-generation arms (2.5 &
3.3-powered T-Maxx), position (0) can be
used for tuning with the inner pair of
lower shock mounting positions on the
arm (1,2). It is not compatible with the lower shock
mounting positions 3 & 4 on the second-generation arms.
Refer to the owners’ manual for more information on Maxx
suspension adjustments.
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2
.5
3
10 20 30 40 50
W
heel Travel (mm)
Wheel Force vs. Wheel Travel
Wheel Force (lb)
60 70 80 90
Lower Mount 1, Upper Mount 0
L
ower Mount 1, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 2, Upper Mount A
L
ower Mount 3, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 4, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 2, Upper Mount 0
L
ower Mount 4
L
ower Mount 3
Lower Mount 2
Lower Mount 1
More Firm
Less Firm
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0
10 20 30 40 60 70 80 9050
Wheel Force (lb)
W
heel Travel (mm)
Wheel Force vs. Wheel Travel
Lower Mount 1, Upper Mount 0
L
ower Mount 2, Upper Mount 0
Lower Mount 1, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 2, Upper Mount A
L
ower Mount 3, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 4, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 1, Upper Mount B
Lower Mount 2, Upper Mount B
Lower Mount 3, Upper Mount B
L
ower Mount 4, Upper Mount B
M
ore Firm
Less Firm
Lower Mount 4
L
ower Mount 3
Lower Mount 2
Lower Mount 1
1.5
2
2.5
3
Wheel Force vs. Wheel Travel
Wheel Force (lb)
Lower Mount 1, Upper Mount 0
Lower Mount 1, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 2, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 3, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 4, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 2, Upper Mount 0
More Firm
Less Firm
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0 10 20 30 40 60 70 80 9050
Wheel Force (lb)
Wheel Travel (mm)
Wheel Force vs. Wheel Travel
Lower Mount 1, Upper Mount 0
Lower Mount 2, Upper Mount 0
Lower Mount 1, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 2, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 3, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 4, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 1, Upper Mount B
Lower Mount 2, Upper Mount B
Lower Mount 3, Upper Mount B
Lower Mount 4, Upper Mount B
More Firm
Less Firm
Lower Mount 4
Lower Mount 3
Lower Mount 2
Lower Mount 1
Stock Spring Rate Chart
3
x12SS
3x12SS
3
x15CM
3x15CM
Spring
Retainer