Do I need to fill the struts with oil?

[eddii]

Hi guys,

Just got some Tokico Illuminas, i've seen some owners fill up the struts with oil when inserting the new cartridges. Why is that? The tokico's are seal gas units, I dont see any need to fill it up with oil. Has anyone done this?

cheers

eddii

 

[matt drago]

I had to replace one of my front struts casing as the previous owner just plonked in a new insert without putting in any oil.  The oil has nothing to do with the suspension and has everything to do with stopping the insert from rusting to the casing.  Well, that's my take anyways.

 

When I put my new ones in, I put some oil in too to make sure that these new ones didn't rust.  When I removed the back ones (I think they were still factory original, rode like they were ) they had oil in them.

 

Cheers,

 

Matt D.

[Zedman240®]

I just swapped struts on the front and had to remove the shocks from the old to the new and there was no oil in the old struts. I added some auto fluid to the new installation because I think the oil helps heat transfer from the shock to the casing. As the shock works hard, a lot of heat is generated so the oil helps it move from the shock to the outside with ease. I remember a long time ago with my first zed, when I installed new shocks, the instructions did say to ad some oil so I assume it has to be done.

[C.A.R.]

FWIW, if your a cheaparse & still have the original factory inserts,

you simply pour out the old fluid & replace it with ATF (or fork oil if your keen).

 

I did this to mine years ago & it works a treat  

[Zedman240®]

I think the oil we are referring to is the oil thats filled in the strut tube along with the aftermarket shock and not with the original Nissan oil filled shock. I did notice though that when oil is added and when the shock was inserted into the tube the shock acted like a piston and not wanting to move up and down easily. I think its added to help prevent the shock from moving up and down easily if it wasn't tightened down properly. Just a guess. But the transfer of heat from the shock to the tube to the outside air is where it really helps.

[eddii]

thanks for your input, i suppose the heat transfer sounds logical, can i use any oil eg. motor oil?

my concern with filling the tube with oil is that it'll leak out around the locknut since the replacement locknut doesnt have a seal on it.

also where can i get some rubber replacement for the struts (bump stop/bellow)? mine didnt come with bump stops, just the bellows.

 

[PZG302]

You only need a couple of inches of oil, if you choose to do this.

 

As for the bump stops, if you still have them use the ones off the old shocks, or if they didn't have them I wouldn't be too worried.

 

The Tockiko Illuminas are a good shock, I used them for many years on my circuit racer. I only went to Konis because they couldn't match the spring rate I run, about 420 lb/inch on the front and 400 on the rears.

[matt drago]

I got some bellows and bump stops from Pedders, I think.  Not 100% sure as Dad actually got them for me (He's retired so can get to the shops a lot more easier than I can).

[eddii]

I got some bellows and bump stops from Pedders, I think.  Not 100% sure as Dad actually got them for me (He's retired so can get to the shops a lot more easier than I can).

lol. do you know how much?

[gav240z]

Eddii, Pedders quoted me something like $250 for all 4 corners for the bump stop with integrated dust boot.

 

I found a site in the US (will try digging) that had all 4 for $80 US with postage. As PZG302 said, you may or may not need them. My opinion is that if I'm spending money on my suspension (Tokico's) I'd want to spend a little more protecting them from dust / water and other crud + stop them from bottoming out with the bump stop.

[matt drago]

Cannot remember the price and I don't have it listed on my shopping list.  A quick call and you should be able to find out though

 

Cheers,

 

Matt

[Zedman240®]

Eddii, I used auto trans fluid in my struts, and if you are using Koni's or similar, bump stops are very imoprtant. Especially if you have lowered springs. Last thing you need to happen is the car's suspension to bottom out and damage the shock's valving. 

[eddii]

thanks guys, i will ask the suspension shops to see if i can get them locally.

im also a bit worried that without the bellows it wont pass road worthy.

will let you know tomorrow

trans fluid must be more viscous than engine fluid huh? i just have plenty of new engine oil sitting in the shed, will that do the job?

thanks guys for answering my dumb questions LOL.