Shock Tech

[13inc.]

Hey guys i am new on here, i am no engineer or pro fabber, but hopefully some day.....plus iam only 18

i was thinking that when a shock is built and the oil is put into it, there is obviously a bit of air pressure in there that could inhibit it in some way. I was wondering maybe by putting the inside of the shock in a vacuum that it by some way be more efficient. It seems that if all that is acting on the shock inside would be gravity. The barometric pressure would be lower i assume so it would be more constant? Also like in space it would be much easier for an object to move IE the piston to move more freely with less interferance. But a blown seal would kill the vacuum. Like i said i dont know every thing about shocks, i was just throwing the idea out there.


I would like to learn as much as possible so any info would be greatly appriciated. i am trying to intern at a shop some where or be a shop kid, any suggestions?

[Kritter]

you bleed the air pockets out of the shock when you assemble it. You can put the oil in a vacuum before putting it into the shock or pull a vacuum after the shaft is inserted and piston is bled and yes putting the oil in a vacuum is done. Some will also build the shock submerged so air is not an issue.

[tre5]

The guy that used to build dirt bike shocks in Phx, and moved to Texas a couple years ago, built the shocks in the oil. Submerge them, then assemble under the oil, and there will be no air in the shock.

[FABRICATOR]

...I was wondering maybe by putting the inside of the shock in a vacuum that it by some way be more efficient. It seems that if all that is acting on the shock inside would be gravity. The barometric pressure would be lower i assume so it would be more constant? Also like in space it would be much easier for an object to move IE the piston to move more freely with less interferance. But a blown seal would kill the vacuum...

It sounds like you are suggesting running a constant vacuum in the shock. That would generally be undesirable as it would not only require special sealing methods but would also promote cavitation of the fluid. It is not the job of a shock absorber to help the axle move.

[therail]

It sounds more to me like he wants to assemble the damper in a vacuum chamber.