Vaterra Ascender K5 Blazer Build – Shocks

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

First thing we’ll do is assemble the shafts. Small e-clip, piston, small e-clip. Easy peasy.

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.

Pop the ball into each shock rod end. Assemble 4 of these.

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.

Screw the pre-load adjuster onto all 4 shocks.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.