Oil shocks will have a reservoir filled with oil and usually a flat head on the shaft as the shock compresses the oil provides resistance as the flat head pushes or pulls threw it. A method of sealing the reservoir is also needed for smaller scale oil shocks that is usually a small spring on the inside between the shaft head and the seal which keeps the seal pinned to the bottom of the reservoir so that the oil does not leak. The problem with oil shocks at this scale is that the reservoir is small and the oil does leak out so that even with the best you end up having to refill it constantly. An alternative method of sealing the reservoir is a compression nut and O ring at the bottom of the reservoir but that takes up space and more importantly at this scale exes pressure/resistance on the shaft gives the shock too much damping for the cars weight.

Grease shocks use a shaft that is very close to the reservoir wall with heavy grease between that shaft and the wall as the shaft moves the friction between the shaft and grease provide the damping. Or they can have an internal O ring or other friction element usually with lighter grease. Well made grease shocks are very effective at this scale, like oil shocks you can use lighter or heavier grease to control the damping. The problem with grease shocks is that some grease does adhere to the shaft and if driving in dirt it can collect dirt at an amazing rate, this is also a problem with poorly sealed oil shocks.

The smaller the car the greater the effect of even the most subtle suspension change, for shocks the line between too little damping and to much damping is 3.6 times shorter than it is for 1/10 scale cars. Also hardware at this scale doesn’t take kindly to constant maintenance and tinkering, think of giving your prize 1/10 scale car every day to a 20 feet tall mechanic, no matter how careful they are something’s going to break. For a small scale car you want shocks that work but are easy to clean and care for. At this scale I would prefer a well made set of grease shocks.