TurboTouch Rear Suspension Service Kit for Kaabo Wolf Warrior 11/GT: Springs, Bush [Kaabo|Fibro]

The eScootNow TurboTouch aftermarket service kit refreshes rear suspension in Kaabo Wolf:

• Warrior 11 Series (including Warrior King) and
• GT Series (Including King GT).

Washer/Sleeve Kit

• Kit includes a pair of:
  • Zinc Plated / Coated flat washers. Thicker 1.6mm (16 gauge) for heavy duty use or firmer aftermarket bushes.
  • A4-70 G316 Stainless Steel flat washers. Thinner 1.2mm for standard use offering increased rust and corrosion resistance.
  • Sleeves 5.2mm inner diameter, 7mm outer diameter in both 6mm and 20mm length to assist centred posture (positioning) of the stock bush to minimise future bush ingress. The longer sleeves are well suited to use in the higher strength Fibroflex spring/bush combo's.
• Washers are appropriate size and the sleeves ensure bush is centred, preventing premature deformation / failure. Washers have approximately 19mm outer diameter and 5.2mm inner diameter (3/4" 3/16" imperial). You can fit both if running the longer Fibroflex springs.

Springs

A pair as Kaabo Factory Spare (Chinese), aftermarket FIBRO Fibroflex High Performance (GmbH) or Aftermarket Chinese. Assembled in image below in ascending strength from light to strong (left to right).

• Stock Kaabo Factory Springs (China, red, round) 40mm x 22mm x 40mm at 8mm thickness, 131 grams.
  • These are generally quite good providing they have not been damaged from extend riding with torn bushes, in most instances renewing the stock spring with factory stock original will result in noticeable improvement in ride. Manufactured in China with spring manufacturer nameplate "strong mould spring, highest strength alloy spring steel (Chromium-vanadium steel)". In instances with prolonged use with torn/worn bushes, it is recommended to renew the stock red springs before considering aftermarket alternative springs
  • Kaabo Red is estimated to be 600lbf, which is slightly lighter than Chinese Red springs (3138N / 705lbf) and between that of the Fibroflex Green (SF 2346N / 527lbf) and Blue (MF 4350N / 977lbf).
  • The maximum compression is not specified but is generous due to the thin wire design which affords good travel.
  • No spring rates are designated, nor are there recommended preload specifications.
  • You can use or renew your stock 40mm bolts with this spring or run with a longer 45mm as when used with wedge washer will usually make full use of the thread depending on your pre-load.

• Fibroflex High Performance Compression Springs (FIBRO GmbH):
  • Available in 4 strengths, 51mm x 40mm x 20mm:
    • Green (SF Standard Force) has 92N/mm spring rate, at 80% (1877N / 421lbf) 14.8mm pre-load plus 5.6mm travel or at 62% (1455N / 327lbf) 15.8mm pre-load plus 8.2mm travel. Total compression of 25.5mm (50%) at 100% (2346N / 527lbf), 20.0mm at 40mm.
    • Blue (MF Medium Force) has 182N/mm spring rate, at 80% (3480N / 782lbf) 13.9mm pre-load plus 5.3mm travel or at 62% (2697N / 606lbf) 7.2mm pre-load plus 7.6mm travel. Total compression of 23.9mm (46%) at 100% (4350N / 977lbf), 18.7mm at 40mm.
    • Red (LF Large Force) has 350N/mm spring rate, at 80% (5348N / 1202lbf) 11.1mm pre-load plus 4.8mm travel or at 62% (4145N / 931lbf) 5.7mm pre-load plus 6.1mm travel. Total compression of 19.1mm (36%) at 100% (6685N / 1502lbf), 15.0mm at 40mm.
    • Yellow (XLF Extra Large force) has 628N/mm spring rate, at 80% (7988N / 1795lbf) 9.2mm pre-load plus 3.5mm travel or at 62% (6191N / 1395lbf) 4.8mm pre-load plus 5.1mm travel. Total compression of 15.9mm (31%) at 100% (9985N / 2244lbf), 12.4mm at 40mm.
  • Fit 50mm bolts with these springs. You can derive the pre-loaded spring length from above to identify appropriate bolt length. For example, the Red set up for 62% would be 51mm spring less 5.77mm preload = 45.23mm pre-loaded spring length. This is 5.23mm longer than the stock 40mm bolt, therefore 50mm length bolts are ideal and accommodate the wedge washer.
  • Try to keep your bolt length short enough to allow for sufficient pre-load, noting the longer Fibroflex springs are longer but also adopt more preload than the original length springs. The strength of spring, strength of bush and length of bush all influence bolt length and pre-load. The more pre-load, the less travel. For example on the Yellow spring (which compresses 12.4mm at 100%, you would preload 9.2mm for 80% compression, 5.77mm for 62% compression. Less pre-load 4.6mm less pre-load, which increases travel from 4.8 to 9.4mm.vs 9.6mm of compression on the 40mm Chinese aftermarket Green.

• Chinese springs (aftermarket)
  • Available in 5 strengths. 40mm x 22mm x 40mm:
    • Yellow (Extreme light) 50% 1254N (279lbs / 128kg), 20mm total compression.
    • Blue (Light) 40% 2117N / 475lbf / 216kg, 16mm total compression.
    • Red (Medium) 32% 3138N / 705lbf / 320kg, 12.8mm total compression.
    • Green (Heavy) 24% 4704N / 1057lbf / 480kg, 9.6mm total compression.
    • Brown (Extreme) 20% 6272N / 1410lbf / 640kg, 8.0mm total compression.

Spring notes:

• Force values are per spring, typically in Warrior there would be two. Specifications of the Chinese springs (compression and force/weight values) are based on 100% compression for 40mm length springs from various AliExpress listings. The FIBRO specs are more defined with greater quality control. Regardless, the values are sufficient for comparative estimates, for example FIBRO Red offers 6685N / 1502lbf for full compression, almost identical to the Chinese Brown (6272N / 1410lbs). The longer Fibroflex spring provides more travel than the shorter Chinese Brown.
• There is limited travel in the higher strength Chinese Springs (the wire is square) and to lesser extent the higher strength Fibroflex springs. The Chinese spring travel is derived from compression to return travel distance (length) and does not account for length of spring. For example without pre-load FIBRO Red has 15mm travel vs 20mm on Chinese Brown (similar strength, different shape wire). After pre-load the FIBRO Red provides 4.8 - 6.1mm travel, which is adequate. For the Chinese Brown 8.0mm total compression doesn't allow much for pre-load and results in travel bot being any more favourable than FIBRO Red in most implementations.
• Both the Kaabo factory and Fibroflex springs are steel alloy grade 50CrVA (China GB) / 50CrV4 (Germany DIN,WNr). The Chinese aftermarkets are ungraded/unknown.
• The Kaabo stock factory springs offer good travel due to spring wire being relatively thin. Conversely there is less travel with heavier springs. Often a renewed Kaabo spring paired with an appropriate FIBRO bush is a good option to maximise travel if not needing a firmer spring.. Generally, unless a heavy rider, most riders seek a lower spring force ("softer" / "lighter" spring).

Bush

• A pair as Kaabo factory stock (Chinese) or aftermarket FIBRO Fibroflex (GmbH):
  • Stock Kaabo factory light yellow / clear replacement polyurethane bushes, 30mm x 20mm with bore 8mm. These are supplied as Kaabo Factory Spare Part (OEM), manufactured in China and are generally quite good when held in place correctly with the supportive hardware in this kit. Only one strength as observed on Durometer typically 82 Shore A (soft), sometimes less (lower 70's, it is not as consistent as Fibro).
    or
  • Fibroflex-Tubular Spring Elements, in three strengths, 32mm x 20mm with bore 8.5mm before settlement, to DIN ISO 10069-1. Available in three strengths:
    • Green 246.5.020.032 (80 Shore A). Soft, max compression of 10.6mm at 1490N / 334lbf load/force
    • Yellow 246.6.020.032 (90 Shore A). Medium, max compression of 9.6mm at 2500N / 562lbf load/force (~9mm at 1490N load/force).
    • Red 246.7.020.032 (95 Shore A). Firm, supports max compression of 8mm at 2950N / 663lbf load/force (~5mm at 1490N load/force).
  • These are 2mm longer than the Kaabo factory bush, so if using with the Stock Kaabo Red factory springs you may wish to cut the bush length down from 32mm to 30mm to match the suitable length of the spring
  • The Fibroflex bush at 32mm length is 2mm longer than Kaabo Factory stock 30mm and compliments the longer Fibroflex 51mm springs well. If using the stock Kaabo Factory spring (40mm length), you can cut 2mm off the FIBRO bush to match the stock bush length depending on your pre-load or fit longer bolts (such as 45mm). Retain the 32mm length if using these bushes with Fibroflex springs.

Bolts

• Re-use the existing stock 40mm or choose option to replace or increase length with optional black M5 high tensile w/10mm socket head bolt with wedge washer. One of the product images shows factory original silver 40mm 12.9 bolt vs aftermarket black 12.9 40mm bolt (the image shows full thread, we supply half thread). Alternative length bolts are offered as the 40mm bolts can fall short, especially with washers. 45mm is a good choice for the stock Kaabo factory spring.
• The longer FIBRO springs are best fitted with 50mm bolts. Being longer, these require use of a clamp or similar method of downforce to line up the bolts. With downforce pressure on the lower suspension plate, lining up the two M5 bolts will be easier. Fitting the pair screw through the plate and swing arms is also aided with a clamp, usually with forward force. You can also insert or remove washers for appropriate length as setting pre-load so that the bolt is well seated in the thread of the casting (hole)..
• Don't forget to use blue medium strength thread locker once you have it setup up appropriately. The bolt kit includes a wedge washer, which will help the bolt coming loose although these tend to hold pretty well. The wedge washer is design to use standalone without any other washers.

Notes:

1. Use the application guide for Fibroflex Compression Springs and Fibroflex-Tubular Spring Elements (bush) to assist determine preload and approximates length of bush for each spring/bush combination across the FIBRO components. When using Fibroflex Green and blue, cut the bush down to length specified in "cut bush to recommended length" according to your desired pre-load. Try and keep within or not significantly greater than the "cut bush to recommended length" of 32mm. This is so that the bush is always under some form of compression (engaged) for stability. Combinations with bush length above 32mm such as with the large force red and especially extra large force yellow springs will have less generous dampening (when not under reasonable compression) although will maintain dampening strength relative to the Colour (Shore A). Refer to eSN Facebook page post for further explanation, and the observed variance of length in the newer Kaabo factory bushes on AliExpress.
   
   
   
2. Ginger on Wheels from PEV Outlet has a good video showing fitment:
   
   
3. Image showing FIBRO Red spring / Red bush fitted, note the use of quick clamp to assist position suspension bracket to line up the pair screw:
   
4. Image below shows the 51mm FIBRO Yellow (XLF Extra Large force) compressed down to match the 40mm Kaabo Factory Stock spring. At 40mm compression, the yellow shown has 11mm pre-load applied, which leaves only 4.9mm travel.
   The longer bolts allow you to restore to the more generous manufacturer specified travel of 9.2mm at 80% compression.
   This spring configured for 62% should be fitted with 4.8mm preload resulting in pre-loaded spring length of 46.2mm (51-4.8) or 41.8mm if optimising for 80% (9.2mm preload). You can run the same calculations for other FIBRO strengths using metrics above but in most instances the 50mm bolt is perfect length for the 51mm spring.
5. Some of the Chinese Aftermarket springs in the workshop (these are the 35mm Kaabo Mantis version):
   
   
6. Some of the early samples of FIBRO stock in the workshop: