shock bladders tearing

[vashon10]

I have the XL-5 stampede with stock shocks, except I have replaced the plastic caps with alum ones. I find that most of the time when I screw down the alum cap, I sever the outer ring portion of the bladder. Am I screwing it down too far ?

If I don't screw it all the way down, it seems to leak. Maybe I need to get some teflon tape to make it seal better so I don't have to screw it down all the way ? but will that allow the bladder to still stay in place ?

This happens to me whether I mount the bladder on top of the shock body with it sucked down in place and then put the alum cap on, or if I place the bladder all the way into the shock cap and then mount it to the body.

Any suggestions please ?

[ronestar]

Try oiling the caps slightly on the inside before you screw it down. The bladders are getting caught in the threads hence the tearing. Screw the cap on slowly until there is no more play , then give one final good hard twist.

[vashon10]

thanks for the reply, but this happens also when I've placed the bladders in the cap first and then screwed it on, so I'm kinda puzzled.

[rocknbil]

I haven't worked with those but all shocks are basically the same. You shouldn't have to torque them so tight. Have you considered you are overfilling them?

Many misunderstand shocks and fill them to get "rebound." Shocks aren't meant to suspend, they are only meant to dampen the shock movement. Springs are for suspension, Shocks control the speed of movement. If you overfill, what happens when the shock compresses and the shaft slides into it, the internal pressure rises from the displacement caused by the shaft and the pressure has to go somewhere - usually this is out the shock seals, in your case, at the bladders.

With the lid off, fill the shock then push the shaft almost all the way into the shock. Allow any excess to run out, then put your bladders and caps on but don't torque them so tight. The bladder rim should seal it up fine. Give this a try and see if they don't leak. :D

[NitroCrackers]

what ronestar said is to oil up the bladder before you install it so it will slide instead of getting torn to shreds... other then that, Ive never ran into that particular problem

[Duster_360]

I'm guessing you're overfilling them slightly and tightening the shock cap too much. Use rocknbil's advice on filling them. I start with a dry bladder and tighten cap down until I feel it contact top of the shock. I tighten just enough to give me a good seal, usually not more tha 1/8t. Once bladder gets the fluid on it, if you tighten too much it will move and you'll lose the seal.

Teflon tape helps - but not to seal - it helps strengthen a shock cap to shock body joint. With teflon tape, shocks (esp plastic ones) are a little less likely to blow caps off.