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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build – Shocks

Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build – Part 6 - Assembling the Shocks
Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build – Part 6 – Assembling the Shocks

The Build – Part 6
We’ll be working on the shocks in Part 6 of our Vaterra Ascender build.

Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build Step 96
Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build Step 96
First thing we’ll do is assemble the shafts. Small e-clip, piston, small e-clip. Easy peasy.

Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build Step 97
Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build Step 97
Slide the 2 red o-rings into the bottom of the shock. Apply a bit of oil to them; you can do it before you install them (messy) or after (not so messy). Screw on the bottom cap after you’ve installed them. Assemble 4 of these.

Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build Step 98
Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build Step 98
Pop the ball into each shock rod end. Assemble 4 of these.

Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build Step 99
Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build Step 99
Apply a small drop of oil to the threaded part of the shock shaft and slide it through the body. Install the rubber spacer and, while holding with a pair of shock-shaft pliers, screw the rod end on. If you don’t have shock-shaft pliers, be VERY careful you don’t scratch the shock shaft while holding. Assemble 4 of these.

Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build Step 100
Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build Step 100
Screw the pre-load adjuster onto all 4 shocks.

Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build Step 101
Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build Step 101
We want to prep the shocks caps for the next step so start by inserting a flanged ball into each cap. Gently fit the black o-ring into the cap and make sure it is completely seated.

Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build Step 102
Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build Step 102
Fill the shocks with oil to the top. Slide the shock shaft up and down inside the shock, SLOWLY, allowing the air under the piston to escape. Once you’ve removed most of the bubbles, set aside in a shock stand to let the remaining air escape.

Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build Step 103
Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build Step 103
To bleed, compress the shocks as shown, allowing the oil to spill from the top. Make sure you have some paper towels ready for clean-up.

Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build Step 104
Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build Step 104
Will compressed, screw the cap on slowly. A bit more oil my run out; that’s ok. Slowly tighten the cap and then wipe off any excess oil from the shock body. Assemble 4 of these.

Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build Step 105
Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build Step 105
Install the upper spring followed by the mid-spring retainer, the longer spring and then the lower spring retainer. Adjust the pre-load retainers until they are equal on all 4 shocks.

Part 8 – Assembling the suspension links.

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