[d16dcoe45]

I am sure the binding was coming from the shaft going through the bottom cartridge. I took a shaft and pushed it through the opening in the bottom cartridge and it was rubbing--and wouldn't move up and down on its own. I then reamed out the bottom cartridge to match the clearance that the stock Losi cartridges have with their shafts installed. It didn't rub anymore.

with the Worlds pistons and low friction rod guides there is practically zero side to side movement of the shaft in the body--so I don't think it was rubbing on the cartrridge. And there is still 95% of the coating left, it just looks "thinner" or lighter in certain areas--so it might have had to wear in and should be fine from now on. Like I said, shocks are still very smooth, I just want to be sure they last a little while.