Front lowering kit vs shocks w/ ssd [Archive]

Braff1

08-06-2002, 01:57 PM

My brother has a z-400 in which he is wanting to lower the front using dura blue front end lowering kit. I told him that I thought that they were used more for flat track racing and that he would be better off getting a set of shocks with SSD. With the SSD he would still be able to jump hills and still be able to lower the front end. I would appreciate any help from you guys.

HoNdAdude48

08-06-2002, 02:01 PM

dude, he needs the shocks! the lowering kits r junk! they dont ride worth a crap!

BigThumper33

08-06-2002, 02:06 PM

The lowering kits are indeed only for flat tracking, the ssd shocks inable the quad to sit lower but still have the shock travel needed for jumping. If you jump a quad with a lowering kit you will damage it badly!

oynot400

08-07-2002, 08:20 AM

I have a lowering kit on mine, but I only use it flat track racing! :devil I just got a set of Elka's with SSD and I am using them to lower the front end. It doesn't lower it as much as the lowering kit, but close enough for me. I would never jump mine with the lowering kit. It changes the geomeotry of the quad, you will probably not bottom out the shock but you will bottom out the a-arm travel.

Tommy 17

08-07-2002, 08:44 AM

ssd lowered my quad probably a inch or 2 in the front...

i have 18s in the rear and 22s in the front and the quad sits about as even as 20 rear and 22 fronts...

Nausty

08-07-2002, 06:28 PM

get ssd it lowers the cg and leaves the front of the shocks at the wider part of the travel that and it will soak up anything you can throw at it.

400exRacerX

08-07-2002, 06:34 PM

Ok heres something for you to compare.

First pic, works shocks

400exRacerX

08-07-2002, 06:34 PM

Custom Axis, look how much lower the front end sits.

oj250r

08-07-2002, 07:51 PM

why do the axis set so low and the works dont????????:huh

400exBro

08-07-2002, 09:03 PM

well first the 1st pic he has stock a arms and the second he has +2 or +3 a arms so that has to do with it but with the works they don't come with ssd or zero preload you can send it off to tcs i thin and they will revavle them to your specs and make them zps..

Bro

optikid123

08-07-2002, 09:58 PM

he def has to get shocks

Texan32

08-08-2002, 07:09 AM

the works shocks don't have the zero preload option. Axis, Elka and PEP all come with that feature (its standard on the Elka tripple....not sure about the others)

racer_ex55

08-08-2002, 07:13 AM

Not only will his quad ride like crap with the lowering kit but it will also damage his quad. With the lowering kit the frame will hit the ground before the shock bottoms. It also changes the geometry of the front end because it changes the location of the shock mount.

Bean

08-08-2002, 09:31 AM

the reason they wer made is for flattracking only, no jumps, no anything, no need to worry about wierd feelin in the air, cause u aint gunna be in the air, same with a rear lowering strut

400exBro

08-08-2002, 09:59 AM

can you get the works vavled to zero preload????

if not i'll get some elka springs with ssd and put them on, if that will work?
Bro

oynot400

08-08-2002, 10:03 AM

The top of the Elka shock is treaded and the top of the Works shock has groves for a snap ring. Not only that I think that the Elka is a bigger diamater shock, not just the ram. I don't know if you can get a Works shock valved to a zero preload or not. :confused: If you are going to go through that much trrouble why not just sell your works and buy a set of Elka's. :devil

400exRacerX

08-08-2002, 10:09 AM

Axis shocks dont have threaded preload. Its the snap ring style as well.

400exBro

08-08-2002, 10:10 AM

my works are threaded preload i got them like that, i paid 25$ for one shock to have convert over to threaded prelaod a lot easier to change them at the track than the snap ring...

i have seen ppl put elka spring on work shocks i think beerock did it if i can remember correctly???
Bro

airheadedduner

08-08-2002, 02:04 PM

Zero preload has little to do with valveing, its in the spring setup. Axis, PEP, and TCS are the only true non-reload shocks out there. Elka and Ohlins have similar setups but are not completly zps. TCS will convert works for $450 if you already have rezzies. A lot of ppl overlook TCS but they are good shocks for a good price. TRiple rate fully adjustable fronts go for $750. Using a lowering kit is a very bad idea, you lose lots of wheel traval.

08-09-2002, 04:47 PM

i dont wanna sound like an idiot here but what does"ssd" stand for??

Dave400ex

08-09-2002, 04:55 PM

Self Sagging Device. In other words ZPS or Zero Preload.

08-09-2002, 04:57 PM

thanx again

Braff1

08-13-2002, 09:09 PM

Sorry I haven't been able to check my post because my modem got fried. I have talked my brother out of using the lowering kit. I had a pair of stock 400 EX shocks lying around and we mounted them to his Z 400. This set up lowered his front by almost 2 inches. He still would like it even lower but I think he will be happier now. I appreciate your support.