My SHOCK debate

[Dallas4u]

Mmmm... yummy Fox shoxs. I would definitely look into those (if I was in the market).

Being somewhat of a mountain bike slave, I'm usually of the mind that you ride it till it breaks... meaning, if I get a bike and it's components are ok for what I'm doing, I'll use and abuse till they quit or break. At least you get out of them what you can, and replace only when needed.

Now, on the other hand... I do like to have the best that I can afford. So, I bike shocks are usually one of the first things I replace.

[Joe_Black]

Yeah, I recall that thread about rebuilding the stock units. Rebuilding suspension components is best left to the experienced though. I was just talking with my Dad yesterday about a guy he knows that is now blind in one eye from getting nailed in the forehead by a part that flew out of a shock he was trying to rebuild... that wasn't rebuildable. In any case, you can link to some online retailers from Bilstein's website. I found the Fox units at one of the off-road places listed there. Pretty comparable to the Bilstein units, but I'm more familiar with them than Fox. I have an old Yamaha DT400 with a DeCarbon mono-shock I bounce around from time-to-time, but my cycle passions are with my roadracing past. Kawasaki GPz Uni-Link baby!

On the VX figure $175 for each corner to get a true performance, remote resevoir, rebuildable gas shock. That's $700 or about the price of two OEM shocks. Now figure an average of $25 each for rebuilds for a total of $100. Being better quality shocks up front may mean a bit more mileage, but either way you're looking at a max of $100 each time you'd need to do anything. That sure beats buying cheap OR expensive shock each time they wear out, plus you've got something really snazzy tucked up in the wells you know you can count (and bank) on.

Plain, simple, truth.

[joe-yamma]

I would never want to try to rebuild the shock myself, VX or motorcycle. That is definitely something that is better left to the professionals (IMHO).

I just thought that it is something that is worth looking into that might be economical (assuming that our stock shocks are rebuildable).

Joe

[Dallas4u]

These don't look bad. They aren't adjustable, but are only $99

[joe-yamma]

Originally posted by Dallas4u
These don't look bad. They aren't adjustable, but are only $99

I was just looking at those on offroadwarehouse.com last night... pretty interested option, huh?

[Andrey]

I think the extra short weelbase of VX - thats what killing 'em. I also thought the KYB are awesome for VX "performance hype" Too bad they do not last. I had front left gone at 20K or so. Was replaced under warranty. Now excessive bouncing of rear. I guess I need to take it for repairs. Thats why when i was shopping for extended warranty I got one which covered shocks

[Heraclid]

Ok, looking at the Bilstein site's 5150 specs... anyone know off-hand what version has the proper travel and valving we'd want to put on a stock VX?

[psychos2]

i think it may be the cold. it seems to be farther north were it gets real cold in the winter. shawn

[Navigator]

...And if so, Who does rebuilds? and How much does it cost? Just curious

[VR4-Quest]

Well here is an update. I took both rear shocks off to convince myself one or both were bad, and sure enough, one was. No visible leaking, but if you shock it, you can here sloshing fluid, and then it was so easy to compress and then wouldnt extend back out like the other one. Showed the dealer, and they were all searching for what to say, one service tech said, "we dont get paid to remove the shocks and inspect them". The service advise was mad that a customer had to remove the shocks to prove they were bad and ordered me 2 new rear ones.

I should be good fo a while, but I'm still going to be on the lookout for some replacements for the next time they fail.

As for the roads in Ohio, Pa, Maryland, I dont think thats the issue, rather that most owners of VX's happen to be in these locations for some reason!

[Hotsauce]

5150's are all eye/eye mount, and we need top mount threaded for fronts.

Also, the rod comes out of the wrong end of the shock for out firment, so you couldn't just cut it off and thread a longer one. Bilstein appears to have tried to put the heavy part of the shock on the frame to reduce unsprung weight.

Turning the shock over would cause the fluid to aerate and bubble.

B46-1738 front
B46-1739 rear
These are the #'s for the Bilsteins that fit
John C.

[Joe_Black]

If you look to the remote-resevoir series in both Bilstein and Fox you'll find more options plus the ability to rebuild, all for about $50 - $75 more. As for who does the rebuilding, just check your local yellow pages or do an online search. Most suspension shops do it.

[Reg Hinnant]

Ok, HotSauce,those are the # for Trooper OEM replacements. ($60.00 ea)
Has anyone got any info on what # are there that will work in the remote-resevoir series in either or both Bilstein and Fox?
Think I'll give both company's rep's a call after the holidays to see what they say.
Any one know what valve equivlants the VX OEM would equal?
Educated guess, GramPa Bob?

[Hotsauce]

Isn't the VX the same suspension a Trooper, except for shocks and sways?

I thought all the running gear was interchangable?

Count me in if someone wants to get some custom shocks made up, but I'd want them at least as stiff on rebound as the OEM ones.

John C.

[edyavno]

Hey Nav,
I think you're the only one who went with 5000s, most people who replaced the stock shocks went with 9000s, but since I don't need adjustability, if I'm happy with what RS 5000 provides, I'm interested in them. What kind of improvement over stock are you seeing? Does it take the jaw-rattling out? If anybody compared them to RS 9000, do you know what setting does 5000 correspond to? I'm looking for a slightly softer ride, but still firm enough to remain nimble on turns.

Originally posted by Navigator
...Do as I did, replace your own shocks and have the satisfaction of knowing the job was done right. You can get RANCHO 5000's from www.summitracing.com for around $38 each plus shipping, which isn't bad. The VX uses the same shocks as the Trooper of the same year. I chose Gabriel Ultra's, and I must say the improovement over stock is amazing.

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