Shock Position (Midgets)

xoxide · 6/21/15, 10:54 PM

Is there a "performance related" reason everyone runs nitrogen shocks upside down? Ive been running mine upright both on the front and rear, but I notice nearly everyone runs them upside down.

I come from non-adjustable shocks on sprint cars where we ran them upright to keep moving weight to a minimum.... So I am a little curious if there is a reason to run the gas-filled shocks upside down or if its mainly to protect the shafts, etc. from rocks?

red70racer · 6/22/15, 6:30 AM

I'm old so the reasoning might be different today, when we first started inverting shocks we were trying to reduce unsprung weight

Oops, I just read the rest of your post. (see I told you I was old) so I have nothing, however it raises my curiosity also

jjones752 · 6/22/15, 8:21 AM

I think what red's trying to say is that when we were kids, what you call "upside down" was "rightside up"...

kstudley57 · 6/22/15, 9:08 AM

It's because the shock adjusters are on the eye that is attached to the shaft (opposite end of the nitrogen bulb). If you mounted them with the shock "right side up" it would leave your shock adjuster cable going up and down with the axle, instead of stationary if they are mounted "upside down."

xoxide · 6/22/15, 9:41 AM

Ok that makes sense! We aren't allowed to run in car adjusters so that isn't an issue. I was more concerned on whether they needed to be upside down for the nitrogen to function where it needed to beproperly, or anything like that.

TQ29m · 6/22/15, 9:55 AM

And a lot of guys just do it to make the numbers hard to read, I also do it to keep the unsprung weight down, if it makes that much difference, and as Studley says, with the adjuster cable being where it is, it do make a difference in how you mount them! Bob

racerjim2 · 6/22/15, 12:30 PM

Your all too old to be worried about which way to mount your shocks. Rocking chairs don't have shocks.

TQ29m · 6/22/15, 2:38 PM

Jimmie, you got that right, but I can't help it, just wish I were up to it, I got enough tube here in the shop to build one more new car, but I don't know how long it would take, and I'm not sure if any of my Dr's would approve it, but what do they know, if I get my back, knee's and eyes, OK, my shoulders need some work too, but if that all magically comes together, I just might do it, NOT! Have a good day, Jim, maybe we'll see ya again someday! Bob

racerjim2 · 6/22/15, 4:27 PM

I'll bring my rocking chair over and spend a day with ya Bob.

TQ29m · 6/22/15, 4:47 PM

Do that, I got plenty of shocks! We'll have a cold one, if you're buyin, my social security won't pay for my beer, but it'll pay for my wife's wine, how's that for rubbin it in? Bob

6/22/15, 6:30 AM	#2 Re: Shock Position (Midgets)
red70racer Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 350	I'm old so the reasoning might be different today, when we first started inverting shocks we were trying to reduce unsprung weight Oops, I just read the rest of your post. (see I told you I was old) so I have nothing, however it raises my curiosity also _________________________________________________ Last edited by red70racer; 6/22/15 at 6:32 AM. Reason: Mistake

6/22/15, 9:55 AM	#6 Re: Shock Position (Midgets)
TQ29m Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 6,212	And a lot of guys just do it to make the numbers hard to read, I also do it to keep the unsprung weight down, if it makes that much difference, and as Studley says, with the adjuster cable being where it is, it do make a difference in how you mount them! Bob __________________ "Being old, isn't half as much fun, as getting there"! Ole Robert I!

6/22/15, 4:47 PM	#10 Re: Shock Position (Midgets)
TQ29m Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 6,212	Do that, I got plenty of shocks! We'll have a cold one, if you're buyin, my social security won't pay for my beer, but it'll pay for my wife's wine, how's that for rubbin it in? Bob __________________ "Being old, isn't half as much fun, as getting there"! Ole Robert I!

6/21/15, 10:54 PM	#1 Shock Position (Midgets)
xoxide Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 569	Is there a "performance related" reason everyone runs nitrogen shocks upside down? Ive been running mine upright both on the front and rear, but I notice nearly everyone runs them upside down. I come from non-adjustable shocks on sprint cars where we ran them upright to keep moving weight to a minimum.... So I am a little curious if there is a reason to run the gas-filled shocks upside down or if its mainly to protect the shafts, etc. from rocks?

6/22/15, 9:08 AM	#4 Re: Shock Position (Midgets)
kstudley57 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 298	It's because the shock adjusters are on the eye that is attached to the shaft (opposite end of the nitrogen bulb). If you mounted them with the shock "right side up" it would leave your shock adjuster cable going up and down with the axle, instead of stationary if they are mounted "upside down."

6/22/15, 9:41 AM	#5
xoxide Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 569	Ok that makes sense! We aren't allowed to run in car adjusters so that isn't an issue. I was more concerned on whether they needed to be upside down for the nitrogen to function where it needed to beproperly, or anything like that.

6/22/15, 12:30 PM	#7 Re: Shock Position (Midgets)
racerjim2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 488	Your all too old to be worried about which way to mount your shocks. Rocking chairs don't have shocks.

6/22/15, 4:27 PM	#9 Re: Shock Position (Midgets)
racerjim2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 488	I'll bring my rocking chair over and spend a day with ya Bob.