The Ultimate Guide of Shock Absorber

What are shock absorbers?

Shock absorbers, also known as dampers, are mechanical devices designed to absorb and dampen the shock impulses that occur when a vehicle or other moving object encounters bumps, potholes, or other irregularities on the road or terrain.

Shock absorbers are typically mounted between the vehicle’s suspension system and its body or frame, and it consists of a piston and a cylinder filled with hydraulic fluid. When the vehicle hits a bump, the piston moves up and down in the cylinder, forcing the fluid through small openings or valves that dissipate the energy of the shock. This process slows down the movement of the suspension, reducing the oscillation and vibration of the vehicle and improving its stability, control, and comfort.

Shock absorbers are essential components of all types of vehicles, from cars and trucks to motorcycles, bicycles, and even roller coasters. They help to prevent damage to the vehicle’s suspension system, improve traction and handling, and make the ride more comfortable and safer for the passengers.

What are the Types of Vehicle Shock Absorbers?

Basically, there are two types of shock absorbers for vehicles: the twin-tube shock absorber and the mono-tube shock absorber. There may be some variations between shock absorber models depending on the vehicle type. However, any shock absorber will either be a twin tube or a mono-tube.

Twin Tube Shock Absorbers

A twin-tube shock absorber could also be referred to as a two-tube shock absorber. This is because it contains two cylindrical tubes. The inner tube, called the working tube or pressure tube, creates the hydraulic pressure most. There is, however, an outer tube called the reserve tube. The reserve tube will function when the velocity of impact is high, and there is a need for high pressure.

Mono-tube Shock Absorbers

The mono-tube shock absorber is an advanced invention. This has only one tube – the pressure tube. However, it has two pistons. The working piston and the dividing or floating piston move in synchrony to cause hydraulic pressure. Mono-tube shock absorbers generally tend to be more efficient. They will, however, not fit into vehicles designed for twin-tube shock absorbers.
When it comes to production material, rubber shock absorbers are the most common. Essentially, they are very durable, have high elasticity, and eliminate vibration readily. They also withstand shock more and offer sound insulation. Rubber shock absorbers are also better dampers. Nevertheless, there are shock absorbers made from metal.

What are the Functions of Shock Absorbers?

Shock absorbers are an essential part of a vehicle’s suspension system, and their main function is to absorb and dampen the vibrations and shocks that occur as the vehicle moves over uneven surfaces.

Here are some of the primary functions of shock absorbers:

1. Improved Vehicle Stability: Shock absorbers help improve the stability and handling of the vehicle by reducing the amount of bounce and sway that occurs when the vehicle travels over uneven surfaces or encounters obstacles.
2. Enhanced Traction: Shock absorbers help maintain tire contact with the road surface by preventing excessive bouncing and lifting of the wheels. This improves the vehicle’s traction, especially during cornering, braking, and accelerating.
3. Reduced Wear and Tear: Shock absorbers help reduce wear and tear on the vehicle’s tires, suspension system, and other components by minimizing the impact of bumps and rough roads.
4. Improved Ride Comfort: Shock absorbers help provide a smooth and comfortable ride for passengers by reducing the jarring and jerking motion that can occur when the vehicle travels over uneven surfaces.
5. Improved Control: Shock absorbers help improve the driver’s control over the vehicle by reducing the effects of uneven road surfaces, which can cause the vehicle to lose traction or become unstable.

How do I Know when my Shock Absorber is Going Bad?

Typically, shock absorbers wear out quickly. Also, most of them are not suitable for repair like other automotive parts. Luckily, shock absorbers are not that expensive to purchase. It is crucial that you replace your shock absorbers periodically. You do not even have to wait for them to go bad completely.
Here are some signs to hint to you your vehicle’s shock absorber is likely going bad:

1. There are unnecessary vibrations in the car or truck when you are driving
2. The vehicle jerks rather violently after an impact. You will notice this because you will observe differences in the vehicle’s response to shock before now.
3. Braking takes longer time than expected
4. Your vehicle serves to one side or off the road when you apply your brakes
5. Your car tires wear unevenly.
6. Lastly, fluid leaking from any of the wheels could be a sign your shock absorber is bad. This is particularly true for all auto parts that use hydraulic pressure.

Aside from constantly wearing out, shock absorbers are easy to maintain. You do not need to replace any fluid or check the oil gauge. However, to ensure your shock absorber and your vehicle as a whole serve you long, you should drive safely. The more impact your vehicle makes, the more the shock absorbers work, making them more prone to wear and tear.
It is quite convenient to install if you need to replace your shock absorber. Mechanical engineers will be readily glad to offer you their services, though, and you can rest assured they will install the shock absorber perfectly.

Conclusion

We are glad to create a post like this that will serve you in many ways. You find out much more about automotive shock absorbers, how they work, their types, and how you can take care of them. And the last but not least, you can know more about our GDST, as a shock absorber manufacturer, that produces high-quality shock absorbers and supply factory prices to all of you.

For more information, please kindly check our website https://gdstauto.com and contact our professional sales team!