I know this is a dumb question but I would rather ask than stay dumb. What is inside the cannisters of remote reservoir shocks, and why do they exist at all? The factory R shocks seems to have them too but they are attached. In my KW's they are on a line. Do they have the same basic functionality?
Question on RR dampers
- Thread starter TURBO2GO
- Start date
Like you said, its better to ask than assume or not know.
Their are many different explanations for remote reservoirs (aka: "cannisters", or "cans", or "gas cans"), but to simply state it, they allow the shock body to be shorter and thus the gas (which is needed for the function of the damper) can be located 'remotely' via the cannister. The factory NSX-R suspension's external cannisters, while not adjustable, serve the same purpose to relocate the gas chamber externally from the shock body -allowing it to be shorter.
On 3-way suspension like your KW 3-way motorsport dampers, Moton, or Penske 3-ways, the high and lowspeed compression adjustment is on the remote cannisters and have valves inside them to affect how the damper and gas reacts under compression travel. These cannisters are often remote via a stainless steel line but also can be attached to the damper like the NSX-R. Sachs commonly uses this method.
Moton reccomends Nitrogen to be used in the cans, while KW just reccomends "air" (which is ~78% of 'air'). The problem with 'air' is that it can contain moisture which will make the gas inside your shocks more inconsistent than a Nitrogen which is 'dry'. If you live in the desert, you probably dont need to worry about using 'air' in your dampers, but if you live in a humid area, Nitrogen would probably be better because it will be 'dry' in the bottle with no moisture.
*** You HAVE TO invest in a "shock inflation tool":
http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecID=7363
AND a "Nitrogen tank" (from your local welding supply shop) and a regulator that can handle 300psi or more to fill your shocks with the above tool.
***You HAVE TO set your cannister pressures. DO NOT drive your car with them 'as is'. They are not pre-set and they do leak over time.
While you do have to add air to them occasionally, it's really not as labor intensive or troublesome as many makes it out to be. Check the cannister pressures once a month or even once every other month. It's not that big of a deal.
0.02
Thanks Billy. I've got an event coming up at WGI the 1st of the month, can I temporarily use air this time then drain and refill with nitrogen? Or should I just not bother putting the dampers on at all? I am worried I won't get this stuff in time to do all this, install, align, etc. I still have your email with the settings you recommended to me for both the alignment and the damper settings.
Also, while I am at asking dumb questions, what is a pillow ball mount and do my KW's have it or do I need them? I'm going to get them out of the basement now and measure the spring lengths...
Also, while I am at asking dumb questions, what is a pillow ball mount and do my KW's have it or do I need them? I'm going to get them out of the basement now and measure the spring lengths...
Take a pic of the entire damper so I can see what the top hat looks like.
Air will be fine for now.
Air will be fine for now.
What pressure are the canisters supposed to be at? I just called Costco because they have Nitrogen and asked the guy if he could do 300PSI and he laughed and said "120 max buddy". LOL. Where do I get 300psi even if I have the tool? I did order the tool.
Last edited:
KW recommends 10-BAR (~150psi). FXMD ran 150psi all around.
Moton/JRZ run at 150-250psi. Get a 300psi regulator from a welding supply place (same place to get nitrogen tanks - on a lease basis - return tank for a filled new tank, etc...)
http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/weldingdepot/452N-300.html?id=7QUEvFHc
http://www.kegkits.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=JO300-K4H6BC-N&Category_Code=
Yea, there is suppose to be top hats with that.... Hmm. Contact KW North America and see if you can get the dense foam inserts that adapt the STOCK NSX hats to the KW V3 spring. Assuming you have the stock hats.
Last edited:
How much tension is on that helper spring? (undo the nut).So I can't put them in as is? DETLEF!!!!
Well yeah I guess I have the stock hats I mean I have a stock suspension.
How much is that gonna cost now I wonder. I wonder if Detlef has them.
I'm not sure if you can bolt the stock top hat directly on the top of that spring perch or not...
The foam things I told you about can't cost much atall. Its hard to say without being there...
Why do you ask this? The nuts at the top?
LOL dude what the hell were you thinking doing the work yourself.
