Elka Stage 5's have real crappy seal and scraper design. It sticks and seal leaks easily(plastic). I would not buy those shocks for that reason.
JayM
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Interesting, the shop who setup my sled's suspension is a Elka dealer and puts them on everything, claims they are "the best". Never really heard anything bad about them till now.
number1kyster
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I bought a set of shocks directly from Elka for my Yamaha Grizzly. The setup they sent me was awful!
I have an RTX SE. I'm going to try having these shocks revalved before I decide to buy a new set.
I have an RTX SE. I'm going to try having these shocks revalved before I decide to buy a new set.
The seal and scraper system they brag about on their Website is the issue. Its a completely new way of doing things and it doesnt work. I have converted 3 sets of Stage 5's to the old Sealheads such as used in ATV's and they now work excellent no more sticking and no more leaking.
putz21
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Agree with Cannondale. He converted my seals on my Stage 5's in the offseason and they worked awesome all winter long. I couldn't say that last year. I do love the Elka's though now that Cannondale worked his magic!
JayM
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Interesting, I wonder what the other dude does, I will ask him out of curiosity.
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Steve,
Does Elka use the same seal on their Stage 3 and 4 shocks as the one that has issues on the Stage 5?
Asking because I’ve been looking for Elka, Axis, or Fox upgrades for my RTX-DX.
The system I am talking about uses 4 small screws to hold the scraper on the sealhead. Looking at site all Stages use this. The scraper is too tight or maybe swells over time so shock sticks. The Low friction O-ring they tought is plastic and will leak much sooner than any other I have seen. Good ideas that just dont work.
I know Hygear sells Elka and may be able to build you the shocks with the normal sealhead. I use Impact Solutions for all my Elka needs. I know he can build a Elka that works!
http://impactsolutionsatv.com/
http://impactsolutionsatv.com/
Byam
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Seals problems were solved almost 3 years ago. Everybody that try my sled are amazed how good it ride
Front stage 5
Center stage 5
Byam
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When you are not satisfied.... call them BACK. They don't fleee like others....... they will make sure that you are happy whit what you paid for
Those are definitely different seals than the junk ones I worked on. See thats the problem with some companies. The customers are testing for them and when crap goes wrong like in this case the seals and wiper system didnt work then its up to the customer to find out. In the meantime they are suffering with shitty ride and leaking shocks! Byam Elka should have replaced ALL the old seals free. Heck they never told me they improved them. So why in heck should I trust they are good now! I have a history going way back with Elka. 20 years and they have put out junk at times all the way back. I am not talking just a crummy valve job or something I am talking a dangerous fault like shafts snapping because of poor machining or internal bumpstops falling apart jamming valving. It seems to always be something and if they would notify owners I would gladly overlook it. They dont. Its bull and therefore I dont trust Elka. Luckily you got good sealheads what about all who didnt? These junk sealheads are not that old. 2-3 years at most. End of rant. Take your chances with Elka!When you are not satisfied.... call them BACK. They don't fleee like others....... they will make sure that you are happy whit what you paid for