Shock Absorber Manufacturer

The automotive shock absorber may be one of the most popular suspension parts, but how well do you understand them? This comprehensive guide answers every question you may have concerning the components. Find out how vehicle shock absorbers work, the different types out there, and why you need them functional in your car.

What is a Shock Absorber? Shock Absorber Definition

The shock absorber in a car or truck is the device that helps to restrict or dampen the up suspension coil springs. Featuring a cylindrical housing, the shock uses a telescopic construction that allows for up and down movement.

Shock absorbers work together with the springs to lessen the effect of road imperfections such as bumps and potholes. This ensures vehicle drivability, safety, and passenger comfort, among other benefits.

Vehicle shock absorbers mainly exist as two types based on the kind of fluid used.

• Air shock absorbers that work by releasing heated air into the atmosphere
• Hydraulic shock absorbers that work by pushing oil through small holes and expending the resulting heat via the housing.

The hydraulic shock absorber is the most common in automobiles. In our guide, these are the type of shocks we will be referring to.

Shock absorbers are normally installed at the wheels of each side of a car, with one end bolted to the frame and the other the axle. Some vehicles only have front shock absorbers others both front and rear shock absorbers.

Most shocks used in cars today consist of a tube, piston, and hydraulic oil. The oil helps to convert the oscillations of a suspension spring into heat, thereby dampening them. Here is a shock absorber diagram showing the structure of the component as well as location.

Shock absorbers are used in all types of vehicles, from compact cars to heavy trucks. Motorcycles also depend on them to ensure comfortable rides in rough terrain. Having seen the shock absorber meaning and several other facts about the component, let’s now move on its function and working.

What Does a Shock Absorber Do? Shock Absorber Function

The kinds of shock absorbers used in today’s vehicles are highly efficient devices that employ complicated constructions and operation mechanisms. Their benefits are, therefore, more than offering ride comfort. The many functions of shock absorbers include the following.

1. Allow for effective steering and vehicle control by keeping the wheels on the road at all times.

2. Ensure ride quality by controlling the vertical and sideways movements of the vehicle chassis.

3. Provide for smooth transition from even to bumpy roads by minimizing suspension spring movements.

4. Prevent wear of the suspension components by limiting their movement

Shock Absorber Working Principle

When a vehicle is in motion, the wheels are constantly moving up and down following the unevenness of the road. These movements increase when going over bumps or when the wheels hit potholes. Various suspension parts normally absorb the road irregularities, chief among them being the suspension springs.

But springs are not designed to dissipate the energy that they absorb. Instead, they convert it into oscillation or up and down motion. That could cause your car to bounce violently and for a long time (if it were not for shock absorbers).

Shock absorbers help to take convert the kinetic energy of the bouncing springs into thermal energy. This causes the spring oscillations to die out quickly. The wheels remain on the ground, and the driver maintains control of the car. Rides also become more comfortable even on uneven roads, among other benefits.

To help you understand how the conversion of kinetic energy to heat happens, here is a brief explanation of the shock absorber working principle.

• A simple shock is a telescopic cylinder filled with hydraulic oil and inside which a piston slides. The piston contains tiny holes or valves
• When the vehicle is moving, unevenness on the road causes vertical movement of the wheels. These movements are absorbed by the spring which starts to compress and expand repeatedly
• The oscillating spring causes the shock absorber piston to slide down the housing and up. The piston pushes into the oil, with some of the oil flowing through the small openings
• Because of the restricted flow, the oil heats up, resulting in the kinetic energy of the spring converting into thermal energy.
• The faster the movements of the spring and piston, the higher the pressure exerted by on the oil. That causes the shock absorber to be more effective at dampening the spring oscillations when the spring movements are severe
• Rapid movements of the shock in rough causes overheating. That, in turn, leads to foaming and the shock not working efficiently. To prevent that from happening, some shocks use pressurized nitrogen gas.

The shock absorber working described here is the most basic. It illustrates the general principle employed in these devices. All hydraulic shocks utilize this mechanism but differ in the level of complexity. The most advanced shock absorbers are electronically controlled systems that can react to road changes.

Shock Absorber Designs

The hydraulic shock absorber used in motor vehicles comes in different constructions and other features. In that regard, the most common types of hydraulic shocks on the market include the following.

Mono Tube

This is the most basic design of the device. As its name implies, the mono tube shock absorber comprises a single tube. Inside the tube, a piston moves to provide the required action of controlling the motion of the springs.

Single tube shocks offer the benefit of efficient loss of heat since the housing is exposed to the atmosphere. The are more costly, though, owing to the special processes used to produce them.

Twin Tube

Twin tube shock absorbers consist of two cylinders, the inner and outer cylinder. The inner tube is the moving part, while the outer cylinder acts as the hydraulic reserve. Twin tube shock absorbers are more common in automobiles than the mono tube type. They are cheaper to produce, which makes them affordable.

Despite being less costly, double tube shocks have their disadvantages. They tend to overheat in demanding situations such as driving on bumpy roads. Twin tube shocks are also prone to foaming in the oil, mostly due to their inability to dissipate heat quickly.

Gas-Filled

This type of shock features a chamber filled with nitrogen gas. The gas helps to prevent the foaming of the oil caused by overheating and which often makes a shock ineffective. Gas-filled shock absorbers offer reliable performance in harsh driving conditions, but at a price. They are more expensive.

External Reservoir

This kind of shock absorber design involves holding the hydraulic oil in a separate reservoir instead of the main body or tube. The reservoir can be in a remote location or mounted on the shock itself. When installed away from the shock’s body, the reservoir usually delivers hydraulic fluid via a hose.

External reservoir shocks offer several benefits. Because the oil is elsewhere, the device’s weight and size can reduce considerably. These types of shock absorbers also dissipate heat rapidly to remain effective over long periods. They, therefore, perform well in severe road conditions.

Adjustable and Standard

Standard shock absorbers come pre-calibrated to suit what the manufacturer considers normal driving situations. Adjustable shocks, on the other hand, offer the ability to alter the dampening force. These shock absorber types come in different versions. The adjustment can be a simple knob that you rotate manually or electronic and computerized settings.

Coil Over

The coil-over shock absorber, as the name suggests, features a coil spring around its housing. The spring is either installed at the factory or mounted as a separate component. The coil-over shock absorber design is common and among the most used in motor vehicles. The advantages of these shocks include the improved operation from the incorporation of a spring. They also allow you to adjust the ride height.

Heavy Duty and Standard

Besides the standard shock absorber design, manufacturers make heavy-duty shocks for special applications and needs. A heavy-duty shock absorber features stronger parts that suit demanding conditions. They also use better quality materials that can stand up to damage and heavy loads. In addition to quantity and robust components, these shocks come with better oil than the standard versions.

Parts of Shock Absorber

Shock absorbers may look simple. However, most are complex devices that contain many different components. A complex working mechanism, too. Major shock absorber parts include the following.

Housing

This is the shock’s body that contains all the other components. Depending on the design of shock absorber the housing can be single tube or two. It’s usually made from high strength material (steel) to resist the damage caused by impacts, corrosive materials, and wear.

Mounts

Shock absorber mounts refer to the end sections of the device and by which it connects to the vehicle. There’s the lower mount that attaches the shock to the axle and the upper mount that secures it to the vehicle frame. The mounts mostly contain openings to accommodate a fastener.

Bolt

Shock absorber bolts are used to secure the shock at the points where it connects to the frame. They install in the “eyes” of the shock mounts. When torqued incorrectly, these bolts can cause a shock absorber to fail. It’s also necessary to check their condition from time to time so they do not come loose unknown.

Bushings

Manufactured from either rubber or polyurethane, shock absorber bushings help to ensure quiet operation. They absorb vibrations when the shock is in operation as well as prevent metal to metal contact of the shock and mounting surfaces. Bushings are found st the ends of the shock where it attaches to the vehicle.

Piston

The piston is one of the main shock absorber components. Its action is what constitutes the working mechanism of the device. Connected to a rod, the piston moves up and down the shocks tube, pushing against the oil and converting kinetic energy to heat. That helps to control the movements of the chassis.

Coil Spring

Although not found in all shocks, the spring is a common part of the device. When integrated with the shock, it helps to enhance the dampening action for smoother rides. Shock absorber springs also allow for height adjustments.

Other parts of a car shock absorber include seals and washers to prevent leaks. There are also guides that ensure smooth operation of the shock absorber piston. Aauxiliary parts such as gas chambers and oil reservoirs are also important parts of a shock.

Shock Absorbers Vs. Struts

Many people confuse shock absorbers and struts. But while some shock absorber types look like struts, there exist differences between the two. First, struts are part and parcel of a vehicle suspension. As such, they carry the weight of the vehicle and usually take the place of upper control arms.

Shock absorbers are not part of a car’s suspension structurally. They do not bear its weight, and only function to control the bouncing action of the springs. Visually, most shock absorbers do no resemble struts. Only coil-over shocks do as can be seen in these strut and shock absorber images above.

Another difference between strut and shock absorber is in their function. Struts are normally used in Macpherson’s suspensions. Shocks, on the other hand, are found in virtually every type of car frame and suspension. It’s good to mention that struts are also steering parts while shocks are not. When it comes to cost, shocks are more affordable than struts; and easy to replace.

Suspension Coil Spring Vs. Shock Absorber

Many people also confuse between the spring and shock absorber. Both are mistaken to be shocks, with no distinct differences in their operation or even functions. Here is how the two vehicle components differ:

Springs absorb and store the energy of the vertical movements of the wheels, converting it into oscillations or up/down motion. Shock absorbers do not store the energy and instead convert it into heat. This rapidly and effectively reduces the bouncing effect of the springs.

Shock Absorber FAQs

Q1. What materials are shock absorbers made from?

A. To withstand the pressure inside the housing, the shock absorber material must be high-strength. Manufacturers usually use steel for its sturdiness, among other properties. The outside of the shock absorber is also normally coated to resist corrosion. Inside the shock’s housing, elastomeric seals are used to endure proper operation and prevent leaks.

Q2. What is the shock absorber lifespan?

A. It’s almost impossible to quote a figure. Shock absorbers wear at different rates depending on the particular driving conditions. The driving habits of the vehicle owner, too, or the quality of the shocks. Ruling out harsh situations, shocks will last between 30 000 to 75 000 miles. High-quality shocks and careful driving will see a lifespan of up to 100 000 miles.

Q3. What are the causes of shock absorber problems?

A. Shock absorbers move all the time the car is in motion. That alone causes gradual wear of the moving parts. Over time, the bushings may break down or the seals wear out and cause leaks. Although rare, the shock absorber housing may bend on dent due to impact. Driving roughly, especially in severe road conditions will also cause damage to the shocks. Overloading the car, too.

Q4. What are the signs of a bad shock absorber?

A. Main bad shock absorber symptoms include the steering wheel vibrating excessively, especially on uneven roads, rattling noise, and uneven wear of the tires. When taking off, the rear of the car will squat and the front nosedive during braking. Other shock absorber failure symptoms include oil leaks, swerving in mild winds, and longer stopping distances.

Q5. Can you drive with bad shock absorbers?

A. While you could, it would be dangerous. Bad shocks cause the car to become a challenge to control and stopping to take longer. Swerving and sliding become the norm when taking coners. That’s beside the discomfort of riding in such a vehicle. Always be on the lookout for signs of malfunction. Some problems are also easy to spot, such as worn bushings or leaking shock absorber cylinder.

Q6. Can you repair shock absorbers?

A. Shock absorber repair is actually possible depending on the type and extent of the damage. Some parts of the device can be replaced, or what’s commonly known as shock absorber rebuild. If the problem involves severe wear of irreplaceable parts, it’s more advisable to consider replacement. Replacing the shocks in your car restores or improves steering performance.

Q7. How much does it cost to replace shock absorbers in a car?

A. It depends on the types of shocks and the kind of vehicle where you want them installed. Amounts, therefore, vary widely. Expect about $200 upward. Shock absorber prices range from $20 for the cheapest to $300 for the complex types. Performance and high-end electronic shocks will even cost as high as $1000.

Q8. How often should you replace shock absorbers?

A. You can choose to follow what the manufacturer says about when to, which is usually early before damage causes vehicle handling problems. If you drive everyday or in harsh road conditions, you may want to check the shocks for damage before the manufacturer stated time. This video explains the shock absorber test.

You can also keep checking for leak indicators such as oil on shock absorber housing or oily patches on the ground when you park your car. To prolong the lifespan of these devices, it’s essential to observe gentle driving ad well as avoid harsh conditions. Also, to observer proper shock absorber maintenance practices such as

• Checking for loose bolts and tightening them
• Checking for leaks on the shock cylinder housing or on the ground
• Simple shocks absorber testing that involves pressing on the car and observing the bounce
• Inspecting the mounting bushings regularly and the housing for dents

Q9. Should you replace shock absorbers in pairs?

A. Although not necessary, it’s good to replace the shocks on both sides, especially if the other is excessively worn. That’s because one badly damaged or worn shock would cause vehicle handling problems. Besides, you will still need to change it soon. If it’s intact, you can replace the worn shock only.

Q10. How do you buy shock absorbers?

A. The right shocks for your car should meet its performance needs and driving conditions. Different designs of the device are available out there from mono tube, twin tube, to standard and heavy duty types. These fit different needs. In addition to the design, you want quality shocks that will perform excellently and last a long time.

To ensure that quality, it’s advisable to buy from trusted shock absorber manufacturers or sellers. Poor quality shocks will see your tires wearing out sooner and unevenly, the not stopping on time and hydroplaning, which can be dangerous.

Conclusion

Car shock absorbers are essential parts despite generally being overlooked. Bad ones cause drivability problems. Failing shocks also lead to the early wear of several car components. To ensure their good condition, it’s essential that acquaint yourself with how they work and the different types on the market. You will also need that knowledge when choosing replacement shocks for you vehicle or stocking your auto parts shop.