One SIMPLE Upgrade to Maintain Shock Health - MTS Schrader Valve Reservoir Caps

One of the most common and most overlooked failure points on side-by-side suspension systems is leaking shock reservoir caps. If you’re running aftermarket or OEM shocks and haven’t addressed this issue, you’re putting your suspension and your wallet at risk.

Why Nitrogen Matters in Your Shocks

Shocks rely on nitrogen pressure for one critical reason: to prevent cavitation. Cavitation occurs when air bubbles form inside the shock oil due to insufficient internal pressure. When this happens, air bubbles create turbulence in the oil, that turbulence accelerates internal seal wear, worn seals lead to oil leaks, and oil leaks reduce performance and shorten shock life.

Leaking reservoir caps allow nitrogen to escape, which drops internal pressure and triggers cavitation. Once that cycle starts, it repeats itself until the shock fails. In short: leaking reservoir caps lead to nitrogen loss, nitrogen loss leads to cavitation, cavitation leads to seal failure, and seal failure leads to leaking shocks.

The Most Common Failure Point on Side-by-Side Shocks

Across side-by-side platforms, the reservoir cap is consistently the weakest link. Stock-style caps are prone to slow leaks, difficult to service, and often fail long before the rest of the shock does. Addressing this issue early is one of the smartest suspension upgrades you can make.

The Easy Fix: Schrader Valve Reservoir Caps

The simplest and most effective solution is upgrading to Schrader valve reservoir caps, such as MTS Schrader valve caps. These caps are designed to hold nitrogen more reliably, virtually eliminate leaks, and make filling and servicing shocks significantly easier than stock caps. By maintaining proper nitrogen pressure, they help keep shocks healthy for the long term.

Available Options for Popular Shock Brands

There are multiple Schrader valve cap options available depending on your shock setup. Walker Evans reservoir caps are designed for 2.0 and 2.5 Walker Evans shocks. FOX reservoir caps are available for FOX 2.0 and FOX 2.5 shocks. Extended reservoir caps for FOX 2.5 shocks are also available if you want to increase nitrogen volume for improved pressure stability and performance.

The Best Suspension Upgrade for Long-Term Reliability

If you’re looking for the easiest and most cost-effective upgrade to protect your side-by-side suspension, this is it. Upgrading your reservoir caps helps extend shock life, maintain consistent damping performance, prevent costly rebuilds, and requires only a minimal install.

Final Thoughts

Blown shocks rarely happen overnight. They usually start with something small, like a leaking reservoir cap. Fixing this weak point before it becomes a bigger issue can save you time, money, and frustration. Upgrade your reservoir caps, keep nitrogen where it belongs, and keep your shocks performing the way they should. 

If you’re ready to get more out of your suspension, our team specializes in custom suspension tuning designed for your vehicle, driving style, and terrain. Based in Phoenix, we work with off-road drivers across Arizona to deliver setups that perform where it matters most.

Learn more about our services or get in touch today to start building a suspension system that works for you.