Radflo Front Shocks: Emulsion vs IFP vs External Res

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
So in rebuilding my rear shocks, I've been thinking about an issue with the emulsion shocks in a front application.

The gas pockets in the emulsion shocks provide zero dampening when the piston enters it.

In our rear Radflo emulsion shocks, the shock body mounts up and the gas pocket is at the top and would only come in to play when the suspension is nearly fully compressed. In our low speed, offroad and highway use, it's rarely going to be an issue.

However, in the Radflo emulsion front shocks, the body mounts down. This means that nearly two inches of the shock travel when extending is completely undampened. I believe this is the reason for the hard clunk when our front wheels drop off an obstacle.

That would also increase the chance for damage to the shock when that happens as it will hit the internal stop very hard.

This has me reconsidering my long time stance on the need for external reservoir shocks.

Thoughts?
 
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