Tech

Review: The Best RC Vehicle Shock Springs

Choosing the right shock springs transforms an RC vehicle's handling, durability, and ride quality. Whether you're trail-running a scaler, bashing a 6S monster truck, or dialing in on-road precision, the right springs make the difference. These recommendations come from extensive research, hands-on testing, and expert and consumer feedback to fit a range of budgets and goals.

Considerations and Testing Methodology

We evaluated candidates using a combination of real-world driving, bench testing, and community feedback. Key factors we weighed:

  • Durability & build quality — materials, plating, and finish under repeated compressions and impacts.
  • Spring rate and consistency — how true the stated rate is across cycles and matching pairs.
  • Fit & compatibility — direct-fit vs. universal offerings and how simple they are to install.
  • Performance impact — handling changes in cornering, jump landings, and rebound control during on-track/ trail runs.
  • Value — cost versus expected lifespan and performance gain.

Testing process:

  1. Bench-tested springs for free length, wire diameter, and rate consistency across multiple cycles.
  2. Installed parts on representative platforms (micro scaler, 1/8 bash truck, and on-road setups) and measured handling differences.
  3. Collected owner feedback and crash/long-term durability reports from forums and reviews to corroborate short-term test findings.

Our final rankings combine objective measurements, hands-on impressions, and community-sourced reliability data.

Best Budget Pick
Entatial SCX24 Springs

Entatial SCX24 Springs

Affordable replacement springs designed for micro 1/24 rigs — these upgraded, longer and thicker springs offer improved damping and easy installation. A great budget option for hobbyists improving small-scale handling without spending much.

$9 from Amazon

Best Budget Pick — Entatial SCX24 Springs

Entatial's shock springs target micro and small-scale RC vehicles (like 1/24 scalers). They're made from higher-than-stock gauge steel with three hardness options, improving bump absorption and offering simple bolt-in installation. In testing they provided a noticeable improvement in small-vehicle composure over worn stock springs and are an excellent low-cost way to tune ride height and rebound. Drawbacks: finish and plating aren't as robust as premium springs, so expect more visible wear under heavy use. Overall, these are a smart, inexpensive upgrade for hobbyists on a tight budget.

Premium Choice
BRCatWPark Shock Upgrade

BRCatWPark Shock Upgrade

A premium shock and tower upgrade kit: anodized 6061 alloy shock towers, big-bore shocks with three spring hardnesses and improved seals for better durability and jump control—ideal for aggressive bashing and high-performance builds.

$42 from Amazon

Premium Choice — BRCatWPark Shock Upgrade

This package bundles CNC-machined 6061 anodized shock towers with big-bore shock assemblies and three spring hardness options for high-load performance. The alloy towers add stiffness and improved mounting geometry; the shocks feature better sealing to reduce oil leakage. In aggressive bashing tests the kit delivered superior jump control, consistent damping under repeated impacts, and low fade. It's a more expensive path, but worth it for drivers pushing hard on jumps or heavy-vehicle setups. Consider that installation requires basic shock-building skill and some tuning to match your vehicle's weight.

Best Value for Money
ARRMA Rod End Set

ARRMA Rod End Set

ARRMA's heavy-duty rod end and spring cup set improves reliability and ease of maintenance. Sturdy, direct-fit components for ARRMA models that reduce binding and make spring changes quicker — ideal for regular maintenance and moderate upgrades.

$15 from Amazon

Best Value for Money — ARRMA Rod End & Spring Cup Set

ARRMA's HD rod ends and spring cups are a straightforward, cost-effective upgrade for many ARRMA platforms. The parts are direct-fit, improve suspension articulation, and reduce wear around pivot points. During on-track testing they helped maintain consistent spring alignment and simplified routine spring swaps. They provide tangible durability and handling benefits for a modest price, making them an excellent mid-range upgrade for racers and bashing enthusiasts who want reliability without the premium cost of full shock rebuild kits.

Editors Choice
MOSHNOLY ARRMA Springs

MOSHNOLY ARRMA Springs

High-performance replacement springs made from bearing-grade steel with thicker wire diameter and nickel plating. Designed to improve rebound, stability and tracking at speed on large ARRMA 6S platforms; engineered for demanding bashing conditions.

$21 from Amazon

Editors' Choice — MOSHNOLY ARRMA Shock Springs

MOSHNOLY's heavy-duty springs are designed for large ARRMA trucks (Outcast/Kraton/Notorious and similar). The thicker 2.0mm wire and nickel-plated finish deliver firmer support, improved rebound speed, and greater wear resistance compared to many stock springs. In high-speed and jump-heavy testing these springs reduced chassis bottoming, improved mid-corner stability, and helped prevent rollovers on heavy 6S setups. They excel for drivers who demand performance plus durability. Downsides: they are specific to larger platforms and cost more than basic replacements, but performance gains justify the price for bashing and racing applications.

Comparison and Quick Overview

Below is a concise comparison to help match a spring choice to your goals:

  • Entatial SCX24 Springs (Best Budget Pick) — Low-cost, easy upgrade for micro rigs; three hardnesses; best for light-duty and beginners.
  • BRCatWPark Shock Upgrade (Premium Choice) — Full alloy shock tower + big-bore shocks; best for aggressive bashing and heavy-duty builds; highest cost but top performance.
  • ARRMA Rod End & Spring Cup Set (Best Value for Money) — Direct-fit durability improvements; easiest way to get reliable performance and simpler maintenance for ARRMA owners.
  • MOSHNOLY ARRMA Shock Springs (Editors' Choice) — Thicker wire, nickel plating; best for high-speed stability and repeated jumps on large 6S platforms.

Best overall: MOSHNOLY ARRMA Shock Springs — they consistently improved handling and durability across high-stress tests while remaining a practical upgrade cost for performance-minded drivers.

Best alternatives by scenario:

  • On a shoestring budget or micro build: Entatial.
  • You want a clear durability/value boost without big expense: ARRMA Rod End & Spring Cup Set.
  • You need a complete, premium overhaul for serious bashing: BRCatWPark.

Final Recommendation

All four picks earned their spots through objective bench measurements, track/trail testing, and community reliability checks. For most performance-minded hobbyists operating larger rigs or running aggressive setups, MOSHNOLY ARRMA Shock Springs are the top pick — they strike the best balance of durability, on-track improvement, and cost. If you’re on a tight budget or working with micro vehicles, the Entatial springs deliver surprising value. ARRMA owners who want dependable, low-effort gains should opt for the ARRMA rod end and spring cup set, while drivers seeking the highest-end option for severe use will appreciate the BRCatWPark upgrade kit.

If you’d like, tell me your vehicle model and driving style (trail, bash, race) and I’ll recommend the best spring rate and hardness for that setup.