TRAXXAS 4957R - Manual

Form 4957RINST Rev 060221

Progressive Spring Installation Instructions

Covers Part #4957R

w w w . T R A X X A S . c o m

Traxxas, 1100 Klein Road, Plano, TX 75074, Phone: 972-265-8000, Fax: 972-265-8011, e-mail: [email protected]

Remove the Shock Absorber

1. Remove the 3x12

shoulder screw that
secures the top of
the shock from the
shock tower.

2. Remove the 3x15

countersunk
machine screw that secures
the bottom of the shock to
the lower suspension arm.

3. Lift the shock absorber from the

lower suspension arm and out
through the upper suspension arm.

Replace the Shock Spring

1. Remove the lower spring retainer from

the shock shaft by compressing the spring
toward the top of the shock body to release
tension on the retainer. Next, push the
retainer up off of the shock end, and slide
the shaft through the slot of the retainer to
remove the retainer from the shock.

2. Slide the spring down and off of the shock

absorber, and replace it with the T-Maxx
progressive rate spring.

3. Compress the spring, and install the retainer

by inserting the shaft through the slot in the
retainer. Make sure that the retainer is in the
same orientation as it was with the stock spring.
The spring should fit around the top of the retainer.

4. Release the spring and the retainer so that the bottom

of the retainer slips over the top of the shock end. The
shock is ready for installation.

5. Install the shock absorber using the first three steps in

reverse order.

Progressive Spring Rate Chart

Under light-duty driving, the progressive rate springs soak up
the small bumps as a softer spring would, but when the
conditions get rough and the jumps get big, the progressive
rate springs step up to the challenge by getting firmer as the
suspension is compressed. This resists the chassis from
bottoming out from jumps to keep the chassis under control.

• Notice how all of the curves from this graph ramp up. This

illustrates the rapid increase of wheel force as the suspension
is compressed. Compare this chart to the Stock Spring Rate
Chart (below left).

• This graph also shows the effects of mounting the shocks in

the optional shock locations. As the lower shock position is
moved outward, the suspension travel decreases and the
wheel force increases.

Tuning Tips and Suggestions:

• Rough track conditions: lower mount #1 and #2
• Smooth track conditions: lower mount #3 and #4
• Upper mount: Should be used only as a

fine-tuning adjustment:

• Position (A) is best for most conditions.
• Position (B) will decrease the damping

feel slightly while increasing the force of
the spring slightly.

• Position (0) is intended for use with first

generation T-Maxx suspension arms.
With the second-generation arms (2.5 &
3.3-powered T-Maxx), position (0) can be
used for tuning with the inner pair of
lower shock mounting positions on the
arm (1,2). It is not compatible with the lower shock
mounting positions 3 & 4 on the second-generation arms.

Refer to the owners’ manual for more information on Maxx
suspension adjustments.

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

10

20

30

40

50

Wheel Travel (mm)

Wheel Force vs. Wheel Travel

W

h

e

e

lF

o

rc

e

(l

b

)

60

70

80

90

Lower Mount 1, Upper Mount 0

Lower Mount 1, Upper Mount A

Lower Mount 2, Upper Mount A

Lower Mount 3, Upper Mount A

Lower Mount 4, Upper Mount A

Lower Mount 2, Upper Mount 0

Lower Mount 4

Lower Mount 3

Lower Mount 2

Lower Mount 1

More Firm

Less Firm

2.5

2

1.5

1

0.5

0

0

10

20

30

40

60

70

80

90

50

W

h

e

e

lF

o

rc

e

(l

b

)

Wheel Travel (mm)

Wheel Force vs. Wheel Travel

Lower Mount 1, Upper Mount 0
Lower Mount 2, Upper Mount 0
Lower Mount 1, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 2, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 3, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 4, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 1, Upper Mount B
Lower Mount 2, Upper Mount B
Lower Mount 3, Upper Mount B
Lower Mount 4, Upper Mount B

More Firm

Less Firm

Lower Mount 4

Lower Mount 3

Lower Mount 2

Lower Mount 1

1.5

2

2.5

3

Wheel Force vs. Wheel Travel

W

h

e

e

lF

o

rc

e

(l

b

)

Lower Mount 1, Upper Mount 0

Lower Mount 1, Upper Mount A

Lower Mount 2, Upper Mount A

Lower Mount 3, Upper Mount A

Lower Mount 4, Upper Mount A

Lower Mount 2, Upper Mount 0

More Firm

Less Firm

2.5

2

1.5

1

0.5

0

0

10

20

30

40

60

70

80

90

50

W

h

e

e

lF

o

rc

e

(l

b

)

Wheel Travel (mm)

Wheel Force vs. Wheel Travel

Lower Mount 1, Upper Mount 0
Lower Mount 2, Upper Mount 0
Lower Mount 1, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 2, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 3, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 4, Upper Mount A
Lower Mount 1, Upper Mount B
Lower Mount 2, Upper Mount B
Lower Mount 3, Upper Mount B
Lower Mount 4, Upper Mount B

More Firm

Less Firm

Lower Mount 4

Lower Mount 3

Lower Mount 2

Lower Mount 1

Stock Spring Rate Chart

3x12SS

3x12SS

3x15CM

3x15CM

Spring

Retainer