Hey Guys!
Lately one of my buds asked me for some help with his Manitou Evolver 9.5" shock. Well... he hated it, because of super harsh topout. Long story short - negative air chamber on Evolver/Swinger/Radium/Split etc. shocks is not a seperate air chamber with equalization port, but rather an elastomer POS (not sure about the new ones, but pretty sure they are different). Huge pressure difference = super poor sensitivity and harsh topout.
Took the shock apart, made some measurments and decided to make an equalisation port like on any modern air shock.
Bought some tools - large diamond coated ball burr for 2$ and a piece of plastic for a stencil (to not scratch the rest of the air can).
Put the stencil inside the air can, went with the ball burr from the other side, ground it, finished it with some fine sandpapers and it was almost done.
As it had no pressure seal behind the piston (elastomer side was not pressurised, so there was only a wiper seal) I had to order a custom air/wiper seal that would replace the original wiper seal.
Went with A11 profile, dual side wiper seal, made out of NBR rubber.
It was custom made and cost like 2.5$ at a local seal supplier/workshop.
Voila!
It works abso-f'kin-lutely fantastic. Super sensitive, barely any stiction, holds up air perfectly. Great shock on a budget. Cheers!
Lately one of my buds asked me for some help with his Manitou Evolver 9.5" shock. Well... he hated it, because of super harsh topout. Long story short - negative air chamber on Evolver/Swinger/Radium/Split etc. shocks is not a seperate air chamber with equalization port, but rather an elastomer POS (not sure about the new ones, but pretty sure they are different). Huge pressure difference = super poor sensitivity and harsh topout.
Took the shock apart, made some measurments and decided to make an equalisation port like on any modern air shock.
Bought some tools - large diamond coated ball burr for 2$ and a piece of plastic for a stencil (to not scratch the rest of the air can).
Put the stencil inside the air can, went with the ball burr from the other side, ground it, finished it with some fine sandpapers and it was almost done.
As it had no pressure seal behind the piston (elastomer side was not pressurised, so there was only a wiper seal) I had to order a custom air/wiper seal that would replace the original wiper seal.
Went with A11 profile, dual side wiper seal, made out of NBR rubber.
It was custom made and cost like 2.5$ at a local seal supplier/workshop.
Voila!
It works abso-f'kin-lutely fantastic. Super sensitive, barely any stiction, holds up air perfectly. Great shock on a budget. Cheers!
