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Hi guys,

I've been wondering if it's worth going to a twin shock front setup for the 834B. What do you guys generally think of the performance of the monoshock up front? Should it be set to sit at full extention when the car is at rest or should there be some droop?

There doesn't seem to be any damping action when the car sometimes shifts it's weight from side to side as the monoshock justs moves with the rest of the suspension without compression.

Just wondering if the monoshock design has been working well for you or if anyone has any tips to maximize this design.

Thanks.

No real comparison .....dual shocks are far better in my opinion

My understanding is that mid 80s Japanese cars has almost no droop, it was not in their dictionary.

tiger1 wrote:My understanding is that mid 80s Japanese cars has almost no droop, it was not in their dictionary.

Maybe the shock travel was so small they'd sit onthe floor if droop was added

lol... thanks guys.

I'll try a dual shock setup if time allows (getting a few cars prepped for a local vintage event).

Any advice on what's the best way to setup a monoshock - zero droop really?

I was thinking to ensure that the length of a fully extended shock maxes out the suspension travel and for the spring to be applying (at least) minimal pressure at full extension - this should apply some pressure to the suspension at all times. The car would still have some droop.

I don't remember anymore why, but at 1989 worlds at least US Yokomo drivers used monoshock at front. Similar system was also in use with Race Prep drivers cars, but it used two shocks. The front shock tower was able to swing. In pic below the two aluminium screw did lock that that system, so it was not in use. The car is from 1991 ROAR nats. Jirka

Bloodclod: you know I love to maintain the monoshock set up in my 834B.

However, with or without droop, these monoshock set up is frankly a flop

There barely work...

someone mounted a monoshock at the best car of its time? I would also love to know why ! Thanks for the photos by the way. I love these old articles, especially if unusual designs are shown.

Michi: I also love those old magazine articles, many interesting/funny/silly ideas

I think the monoshock was an idea of mis-understanding.

Among the first to feature monoshock was FS of super champ. The more famous one were 834B, hotshot, etc..

It was around 1985 that mugen, tamiya, yokomo, even hirobo all came up with 1/10 buggies with monoshocks. RC10 has 4 shocks all along, even MIP monoshock mod at the front did not really pick up. I think the reason was: it did not work as good as 2 shocks at the front in the original rc10 design.

It seems that back then, the understanding of the need of droop was not in the Japanese tool box. (while rc10, the US camp has better understanding of it) There was also little practical needs, off-road, even at the world were just hard packed smooth dirt road. Unlike later on, off road = crazy jump, double and triple and so on

With monoshock, as one side is compressed, the otherside got pushed down as a result of weight transfer (would call it a pseudo 'droop'). So to answer the question of Bloodclod, may be there is really no practical need or functional advantage of incorporating droop into the front monoshock in the 834b. May be the only exception is when there is a very effective anti-roll bar...

One the downside, monoshock, under cornering/weight transfer, straightening the car our of a corner becomes a matter of weight transfer + and - counter-steering. In short, slow response.

My guess is that monoshock has also one major practical advantage: manufacturers save production cost!!

Jirka, they used the monoshock on the WC 89, because the track was very flat and with small bump.

And less weight , too !

prp wrote:Jirka, they used the monoshock on the WC 89, because the track was very and with small bump.

And less weight , too !

..and a lower CG, as well as lower air resistance; especially with some cars having the shock under the body.

Plenty of advantages, just a pitty it doesn't work so well