A couple of months ago, I decided to give the newest version of the Integy alloy shock set (Part # C23033 [URL: http://integy.com/st_prod.html?p_prodid=6954&p_catid=114]) a try. The set was ordered, and it arrived a couple of days later. After using them for several weeks, I have the following to report:
The Order and Istallation
At the same time I ordered the shocks, I was also sent some Integy high clearance lower links (Part # C23023). I must admit that while looking through the products and attempting to decide what to review, I had very little help from Integy's website; they had great pictures of the products, but absolutely no other information was available. For a seasoned rock crawler, this would probably not be too much of an issue. However, for newbies, it makes the decision making process not much more than a mere guessing game (you probably could make just as an informed decision by flipping a coin). Integy would do well to have their webmaster put in some descriptions of the product.
Because of the lack of information from Integy, I had no idea that the high clearance links were NOT compatible with the alloy shock set on my Axial AX10 (even though Integy's website lists them both as Axial AX10 parts). I found out that they were not compatible when I was installing the shocks. I found that the links interfered with the shocks in such a way that the axles of my crawler could not articulate. In fact, when I attempted to articulate the axles, one of the shocks broke right where the metal shaft goes into the plastic eyelet. I hadn't even put much pressure on the shock, and "SNAP!"
I immediately contacted Integy. By the way, did I mention that I do not like the fact that I cannot call Integy's customer service? All customer service inquiries have to be done via email, which sometimes took several days to get a response (I contacted them several times). This made the process long and frustrating. Once I did get in touch with someone about my broken piece, it was then I was informed that the links and the shocks were only intended for a "custom made Axial." That would be some nice information to have BEFORE I made the purchase.
One redeeming aspect about Integy's customer service, was that they replaced my broken shock - no questions asked. Also, once I did get it mailed in, the turn-around time was quicker than Wyatt Earp (they had a new one back to me in a couple of days).
Because I could not use the Integy high-clearance lower links, I stayed with my Axial high-clearance lower links. They too interfered with my shocks a little bit, but I could live with it; my axles still had plenty of room to articulate.
The Shocks
First of all, I absolutely love the look of the shocks! It makes my crawler look like a mean climbing machine. I also like that the springs are internal. This not only looks better (in my opinion), but it also keeps the springs on the shocks. Before, the springs would pop off once in a while because of the high-clearance links would push the bottom bracket up onto the shaft, thus allowing it to come off.
The Shocks come with 3 sets of springs (12 springs total) of varying stiffness. Because of the weight of my Proline tuber chassis, I had to use the stiffest springs that came with the shocks...and they are almost not enough.
I performed a battery of tests and drove my crawler over anything and everything in sight. I climbed on steep and level terrain, large and small rocks, wood, dirt, and I even bounced it down several flights of stairs. The shocks not only held up (even though other parts of my crawler did not), but they worked very well. They were smooth and their recoil was nigh unto perfect. The shocks took every hit, and were able to quickly rebound without bouncing my crawler around. My crawler also seemed to be more precisely; it just climbed much better.
I must admit that I didn't expect to see much of a performance change with a change in shocks, but I was wrong. I found myself climbing things that I was not able to climb before, and I attribute that to the shocks. Great Job Integy! These shocks are definitely something I could constantly run on my crawler.
