Though very basic, automotive shock absorbers are quite important for car drivers. Many people might not be familiar with this component and believe that it just serves as “reducing bumps” in the automobile, but in fact it has an important purpose to guarantee flawless handling and driving of the car. The shock absorber of the suspension system is essential in making the vehicle drive more comfortable and smooth since it controls the vibration of the vehicle body.
Whether you drive a premium SUV or an economical car, the operation of the shock absorber has subtly improved the driving conditions of the automobile. It guarantees not only the stability of the vehicle body and efficient contact between the wheels and the road but also helps to significantly stop the needless severe shaking of the vehicle body resulting from uneven roads or fast lane changes. Though sometimes invisible, the shock absorber is the “behind-the-scenes hero” enhancing driving comfort and safety.
Shock absorber’s basic concept
Shock absorbers have quite straightforward basic functioning principles: its main goal is to minimise wheel-related vibration so maintaining the stability of the car body. A car’s body receives the impact force when its wheels come across an uneven road surface. Acting as a “filter,” the shock absorber transforms these vibrations into heat energy, therefore slowing down the speed and amplitude of the vibration and so preventing strong shaking of the automobile body and increasing driving comfort and stability.
This is clear from an illustration: Imagine yourself seated in a car and the wheels pass across a pothole road. Shock absorbers aid to prevent the car body from bouncing because of the spring’s rebound, which may make you feel as unstable as on a roller coaster. Shock absorbers help to make the spring’s rebound process more under control, so preventing too much car body movement and enabling passengers to keep a rather steady riding experience.
The shock absorber is tightly related to the car’s suspension system. The impact force is absorbed in the spring; the shock absorber regulates the spring’s rebound speed. Should the two cooperate properly, the automobile body’s vibration can be sufficiently reduced, therefore enhancing the comfort and handling of the car. The shock absorber’s adjustment will also vary depending on the type of vehicle, which is exactly to attain the greatest driving experience depending on various driving requirements.
Various kinds of shock absorbers
There are different shock absorbs available on the market. The kind and goal of the car will affect their design and technology. Twin-tube and mono-tube shock absorbs are the two primary varieties of shock absorbs. Every kind of shock absorber offers particular benefits and range of use.
Most regular cars and economy vehicles have a somewhat basic and low-cost shock absorber called twin-tube shock absorber. Two layers of inner and outer tubes make up it; the inner tube is filled with oil while the outer tube offers outside protection. Although this design can regulate automobile body vibration rather well, generally speaking, the performance is not as good as that of mono-tube shock absorbs. Twin-tube shock absorbers have a somewhat reasonable price that fits for normal road use and a robust and lasting construction.
Mono-tube shock absorbers have more sophisticated design than twin-tube ones. Its only big tube is for storing the oil and gas; they are kept apart. Under higher intensity use, this design helps to sustain a steady shock absorption effect and increases the efficiency of the shock absorber. Sports cars and luxury sedans include monotube shock absorbers rather often. Their performance in more severe road conditions and at faster speeds helps drivers to have better handling experience.
Apart from these two standard shock absorbs, certain premium models or sports cars feature electronically changeable shock absorbs. The most remarkable aspect of this shock absorber is its ability to instantly modify the suspension system’s hardness based on road conditions or driving necessity. In sports mode, the driver might adjust the shock absorber firmer to improve handling performance; in comfort mode, the shock absorber might be made softer to maximise comfort. Greater flexibility and ability to satisfy changing driving needs come from electronically adjustable shock absorbers.
Shock absorbs’ service life
Every car has a service life for its shock absorbs. Shock absorbers typically have an 80,000 to 100,000 km service life. Still, this is merely a crude guide. Furthermore influencing the particular service life will be driving behaviour, road conditions, and vehicle maintenance.
The service life of the shock absorber may be longer if your automobile is mostly driven on urban roads and the road surface is somewhat level; on the other hand, if you frequently drive on mountainous roads or bumpy country road, the shock absorber may wear out early. Furthermore influencing the life of the shock absorber will be driving patterns. Regular strong driving—that is, high-speed abrupt braking, frequent acceleration, etc.—will hasten the ageing of the shock absorber.
Regular check of the shock absorber is rather crucial, particularly if you believe that the vehicle’s driving experience has changed or that there is obvious instability. Timely replacement of the ageing shock absorber not only restores the stable performance of the vehicle but also enhances driving safety.
How should one find out whether the shock absorber has to be replaced?
One can easily find out whether the shock absorber requires replacement. The working condition of the shock absorber is readily judged with the following basic techniques:
The body shakes violently: Should you discover that the vehicle’s body shakes excessively while under operation, particularly during pothole passing, it could be the result of a failing shock absorber. Under normal conditions, the shock absorber need to be able to reasonably regulate body vibration.
When braking, the body shakes noticeably; if the body exhibits clear “nodding” phenomenon or if the vibration is too great when decelerating, then the shock absorber’s operating status may be in issue.
Should oil stain or leak occur on the shock absorber housing, the internal seal of the shock absorber is compromised and the oil leaks, therefore rendering the shock absorber ineffective.
Pressing the shock absorber rod with your hand can help you to determine whether there is steady resistance or not. Should you discover that its resistance is unequal or that there is no resistance at all, it indicates either a structural issue within the shock absorber or a spent oil inside the shock absorber.
Why must shock absorbs be changed in pairs?
Should the shock absorber prove to be defective, it is advised to replace a pair concurrently. While some owners could believe that the only broken one is sufficient, in actuality the performance of the left and right shock absorbers must be symmetrical or the driving stability of the vehicle will suffer.
The shock absorber operates with mutual cooperation. Should the left and right shock absorbers have too different hardness, the car may become unstable when driving—that is, left and right tilting, body shaking, etc.? This influences driving comfort as well as maybe creates safety risks. Simultaneous replacement of the left and right shock absorbers will help to preserve the equilibrium and stability of the vehicle.
Shock absorbers for cars: the secret to flawless driving
The system of suspension of an automobile depends critically on car shock absorbers. By absorbing the effect of the road and so lowering the car body’s vibration, they guarantee the automobile’s comfort and safety during driving. Although we may hardly notice the shock absorbers in regular driving, once a problem arises with them, it will compromise not only the comfort experience in the car but also the safety of driving. Improving the performance of the car and extending its service life depend on regular inspection and maintenance of shock absorbers to guarantee their good functioning condition.
Post time: Nov-14-2024