The distinctive black anodized shocks are making their presence known in the winner’s circle at race tracks all over the country. We are continuously working to provide the best Quarter Midget racing shocks available. ARS has developed a new check valve and a valving curve that responds quicker to provide more consistent dampening throughout the range of shock speeds. These new advancements will deliver quicker and more consistent lap times. 

The updated check valve contains a new stainless steel poppet that flows more oil to create a quicker response through the shocks transitions. A stainless steel bleed plate with the new poppet reduces wear on these components to provide consistent dampening throughout the race season. A new design of check valve springs are also installed in the updated check valves. These modifications will allow the check valve to control the low speed dampening more accurately and still separate the low speed control of the rebound and compression dampening. The updated check valves are included in all new shocks and can be installed in all earlier built quarter midget shocks. 

By looking at the closure nut of your ARS Quarter Midget shock, you can tell if it has the latest updated valving and check valve installed. The letter QMS will be stamped on the shocks closure nut identifying that you have the latest and greatest Quarter Midget shock package. The chart below is an example of the stamping on the closure nut to identify the generation of your 5500 series shock.

ARS continues to build Quarter Midget shocks with shaft seals that don’t leak and weekly maintenance is eliminated with no external air valve. The 5500 series shock is the only Quarter Midget shock that uses a base valve design allowing for no rod pressure without the shocks oil cavitating under any racing conditions.

ARS has updated the closure nut to provide better shaft sealing to eliminate weekly maintenance. These closure nuts are easily identified by the 4 holes in the top for the spanner wrench. The 5500 series quarter midget shock is still available with no external air valve or with air valve so handlers can change the gas pressure in the shocks.

The development of QM tires that generate more grip than ever before has created the need for more gas pressure in the right side shocks. This is especially the case on hotter rubber down tracks with taller drivers in Honda classes. Now an air valve option is available on the 5500
series shock. The expanded chambers with the air valve can be installed on any existing shocks or ordered on new shocks by adding the letters A.V. to the end of the part number. The #40887 gas gauge is ideal for setting the pressure through the air valve.

The black hard anodized shock body has a detent in the adjusting nut to lock the adjusting nut in place in ¼ turn increments. The pinch clamp on the other side of the adjusting nut allows you to lock the adjusting nut in place, eliminating the need for tape. The slotted spring perch provides for super fast and easy spring changes.

The pre-loaded shim stack on the main piston provides for high speed dampening unequaled in any quarter midget shock on the market. The rougher the race track, the bigger advantage you will have with the A.R.S. 5500 series shock over the competition.