S8E Option Spring Set: Tuning RC Shock Spring Rates

Quick answer

Start with the medium (blue) springs, then swap to soft (red) or firm (yellow) one axle at a time based on how the crawler settles and climbs. Change one variable per test run and record the spring color so you can return to a baseline.

Step-by-step spring swap and tuning process

1. Set a baseline and record it: With the crawler ready to run (battery installed), measure ride height at each corner and note the current spring color and collar position. Take a photo of the shocks before disassembly. You cannot judge a change without a baseline; write down the starting numbers.
2. Remove the shock and relieve spring tension: Unthread the lower shock mount and turn the collar down until the spring is loose. Slide the spring off the shock body. Keep the collar and any spacers together so they go back in the same order. Losing a spacer or flipping the collar changes preload; keep parts organized.
3. Install the medium (blue) spring first: Fit the blue spring, set the collar to the same position as your baseline, and reinstall the shock. This gives you a controlled reference before trying soft or firm. Changing only the spring rate—not preload—isolates the effect of the spring.
4. Test on a familiar line and note the behavior: Run the same short course or obstacle you used for the baseline. Watch for bottoming out, excessive body roll, or the chassis packing down under acceleration. Write one sentence about what changed. Use the same test line every time; a different obstacle introduces too many variables.
5. Swap one axle at a time to soft or firm: If the medium spring bottoms out easily, try the yellow (firm) spring on that axle. If the chassis feels too stiff and skips over small bumps, try the red (soft) spring. Change only one axle per test run. Changing both axles at once makes it impossible to know which end needs the adjustment.
6. Recheck ride height and preload after the swap: After you settle on a spring rate, adjust the collar to restore your target ride height. A firmer spring may require less preload; a softer spring may need more. Do not exceed the collar range that keeps the spring captive. Spring rate and ride height are separate adjustments; set rate first, then preload.
7. Record the final setup and keep the unused springs labeled: Write down the spring color, collar position, and test results for each axle. Store the spare springs in a labeled bag so you can return to a known setup after future changes. A written setup log saves time when you change batteries, tires, or terrain.

Product facts

• S8E Option Spring Set: Spring tuning set for S8E shocks with silver-painted springs in red (soft), blue (medium), and yellow (firm). Gives you three clearly identified rates to compare during a test session without guessing which spring is installed.