How should a car rack work correctly?

6 Sure Signs It's Time to Change Your Shock Absorbers

Shock absorbers are the most important parts in the design of any modern car. The level of comfort, braking efficiency, vehicle handling, and even the service life of suspension components and tires depend on their correct operation. At the same time, shock absorbers do not last that long - only a few tens of thousands of kilometers. That is why they need regular inspection and timely replacement. However, determining whether the shock absorbers on your car are working properly can sometimes be difficult. We decided to help you in this difficult matter and counted at least six signs that it’s time to replace the shock absorbers with new ones.

We talk in detail about what types of shock absorbers there are and how to choose them correctly in a separate article. Here we recall the main points that are worth knowing. A conventional shock absorber is a sealed tube filled with hydraulic fluid. There is a piston with a rod running inside it. Hydraulic fluid flows from one compartment to another through special bypass valves. This creates a certain force and prevents the car from swaying on uneven surfaces. The part is attached to the body and suspension elements by the body on one side and by the rod on the other. Rubber-metal bushings and cushions located at the fastening points act as additional damping elements.

Now let's move on to the main thing - signs of breakdown and incorrect operation of shock absorbers.

1. Vibrations while driving

When the seal on the shock absorber piston wears out, hydraulic fluid begins to flow from one reservoir to another, not only through the bypass valves, but also directly through the seal. The rod begins to move freely - the part loses efficiency and performs its functions only partially. While driving, this is manifested by an increase in vibrations and the appearance of shocks on the steering wheel. Hypersensitivity over bumps means you need to pay attention to the shock absorbers. It is possible that they have already exhausted their resource. By the way, even world-famous manufacturers with consistently high quality products do not provide a guarantee for this part over 100 thousand kilometers. As a rule, the declared resource of this part is 70–80 thousand km. Simpler manufacturers have even shorter shock absorber life cycles.

2. The car dives and pulls to the side when braking

When the seals inside the shock absorber wear out and the bypass valves no longer work correctly, even slight braking or sideways steering will result in noticeable body motion. A typical manifestation of a malfunction is a strong dive when braking or excessive body roll when cornering, often requiring steering. The car begins to reluctantly go into turns.

3. Sluggish braking

With faulty or poorly functioning shock absorbers, the car’s wheels are no longer pressed so tightly against the road surface and begin to “dance” along it. This leads to short-term tire slippage. The effectiveness of the brakes decreases, and the reaction time to pressing the brake pedal increases greatly.

4. Uneven tire wear

In parallel with the decrease in brake efficiency, tire life also decreases. While driving, the car's wheels begin to bounce and then cling to the asphalt again. This leads to uneven and increased rubber consumption. The wheel balancing is disrupted, bald spots appear on the tire, and the wheel bearing also suffers - it quickly fails from constant vibration. Carefully examine the tread of all wheels.

5. Hydraulic fluid leaks

A sure sign of shock absorber failure is fogging and drips on its body. Leaks in the hydraulic fluid reservoir lead to leaks and air leaks. As a result, the shock absorber rod begins to move freely, without effort, and the part becomes completely inoperable. A foggy shock absorber may work for some time until you buy a new part, but strong drips indicate that it no longer works and hangs on the car like a dead weight.

6. Cracking and deformation of mounting bushings

Another symptom of shock absorbers becoming old is cracking and destruction of the rubber-metal mounting bushings and cushions through which these parts are screwed to the body and suspension. Wear of these elements leads to free movement of the entire shock absorber and the appearance of unpleasant knocking sounds. The shock absorber itself may still be good, but cannot be repaired: rubber-metal bushings, as a rule, are not sold or replaced separately. It's time to buy new shock absorbers assemblies - yours have already done a fair amount of work and are asking to be scrapped.

If you notice at least one of the listed symptoms, it is best not to delay your visit to the service center. The final diagnosis can be established by driving the car onto a special vibration stand. He will thoroughly shake the car and make an accurate verdict - whether to drive it for some more time or immediately change the shock absorbers to new ones. By the way, these parts are changed only in pairs - two in front and two in back. Otherwise, nothing good will happen: poor handling, slips and mediocre braking will not go away.

When diagnosing shock absorbers, pay special attention to external inspection (leakage is the main reason for component failure). We also recommend trying to rock the car with your hands, pressing firmly from above on each of the corners of the body, and then sharply releasing it. If the shock absorber is faulty, the car will sway violently up and down with a large amplitude. The most accurate way to determine how well a shock absorber works is only after removing the part from the car. However, we categorically do not recommend doing this yourself without the proper skills and knowledge. It is better to entrust this operation to professionals.

Front shock absorber struts

For those who study the design of a car, they should know the structure and types of front shock absorber struts. Today we’ll look at what front shock absorbers are, what wear they have and how to change them.

1. Installation of front shock absorber struts.
2. The principle of operation of the front struts.
  - Spring.
  - Shock absorber.
3. What are the front struts for?
4. Types of front pillars.
5. Life time.
6. Signs of trouble.
7. Replacement of front shock absorber struts.
8. Conclusion.
9. Video.

The device of the front shock absorber struts

You may think that a strut is a regular spring or all the parts of a shock absorber. This is exactly what many drivers think. But, in fact, no. A strut is not a spring.

Shock absorber struts are the parts that connect the shock absorber and the car body.

The main details of modern automobile shock absorbers:

springs;
dampers.

The strut, also known as a support, is connected to a spring and a damper. Here, to present the overall picture of the car’s design, you need to already know what front suspension arms are. The auto expert also made an article about spacers for springs.

What is the front shock absorber made of?

The design includes the following parts:

Cylinder. A piston and special equipment are installed in it. hydraulic fluid.
A special liquid or gas for transmitting hydraulic energy between shock absorber parts.
Stock. A piston is attached to it. It is a moving part of the structure and performs reciprocating movements.
Piston with bypass valve. It moves inside the cylinder and serves to dampen vibration.
Oil seal, seal, sealant.
Frame.
Parts for fastening to the body.

Shock absorber designs may or may not have a spring. The service life of shock absorbers depends on driving style and the design of the shock absorbers themselves.

The principle of operation of the front struts

The shock-absorbing structure of a car consists of a spring and a shock absorber. Spring

A spring is a part that dampens vibrations along the compression and expansion paths of the length of the structure.

The spring material must correspond to the values of certain permissible vibrations.

One end of the spring is installed in the seat for it - the rack bowl. The second end rests on a patch of the car body. And a rubber spacer is installed between the body and the spring.

Shock absorber

A strut or shock absorber is a complex device that consists of several parts.

Rack Features:

a two-chamber cylinder filled with liquid or gas, in which runs a rod with a piston attached to it;
liquid or gas circulates in two chambers of the cylinder.

The shock absorber serves as a buffer element. It should absorb the shock of the spring. The shock absorber must be pressurized to absorb the spring shock energy. The pressure decrease occurs due to the valve on the piston. The valve automatically opens and closes depending on the frequency and strength of vibrations.

Purpose of shock absorber struts

In the structure of a car's suspension, shock absorbers are one of the main elements. Without them, the car will feel every bump and will drive like a Belarus tractor. That's why tractor drivers jump on the seat, because there are no shock absorbers.

The front pillar performs the following functions:

Keeps the weight of the vehicle in balance.
Transfers traction force with the road surface to the car body.
Keeps the body within specified limits in relation to the wheels.
Prevents strong roll (tilt).
Accepts and absorbs lateral loads.

The struts are about 10 times more expensive than the shock absorbers themselves.

Types of front pillars

The main element that drives the shock absorber design is liquid or gas.

There are 3 types of shock absorber struts:

Hydraulic, they are also oil.
Gas. They can withstand heavy loads. Used in sports cars. They are not very suitable for normal driving.
Gas-oil. According to positive reviews, such shock absorbers are the best option.

Why do they ask separately about the front struts? Because the design of the front and rear shock absorber struts is different.

Differences between the front and rear struts

The front ones are higher, but their diameter is smaller. There are no steering knuckles in the rear ones. Changing rear struts is more difficult.

Life time

3 factors affecting the durability of shock absorber struts:

Quality of materials and workmanship.
Correspondence of the struts to the weight of the vehicle.
Driving style (calm, aggressive).

Therefore, some drivers have to change their shock absorber struts every year, and some once every 10 years.

Hence the conclusion: drive carefully, as they say, without showing off.

Signs of trouble

Failure of the left or right strut can cause an accident.

If the following symptoms are detected, repair or replacement should be performed:

There was a creaking and crunching noise when turning and when braking hard.
The car “sausages” (sways) in different directions.
When turning, the car does not obey and skids.
The braking distance is longer than with good shock absorber struts.
When starting or braking sharply, the vehicle sits down strongly.
The wheels have poor grip on the road surface.
Rubber wear is uneven and rapid.
Oil is leaking from the shock absorption system.
Upon visual inspection, corrosion is observed on the support and on the spring.
The spring is not positioned correctly.

For each brand and model of car, you should buy racks based on their compliance with the vehicle’s weight and design.

How to change shock absorber struts

If there is a creaking, crunching, beating, or rough ride, then it’s time to change these suspension elements. Even if only one rack is worn out, it is advisable to change both the left and the right.

The general procedure for replacing shock absorber struts is similar, but depending on the suspension modification, it may differ slightly.

Step-by-step procedure for replacing racks:

Remove the seal under the hood. Gain access to the top of the shock absorber.
Remove the plug. Unscrew the nut securing the shock absorber rod. To do this, we use a head with an extended lever. You need to unscrew it before removing the stand itself.
Loosen the wheel bolts. Raise the car with a jack. Place supports; we don’t work under a jack. We follow safety precautions.
Remove the wheels. Spray WD-40 on the mounting points.
Unscrew the nut securing the stabilizer joint. Unscrew the brake hose screw together. If the car has an anti-lock braking system (ABS), you must first disconnect the tube with wiring from the ABS sensor. The sensor is located on the shock absorber strut.
Unscrew the cam mount. Knock out the bolts with a hammer, placing a piece of wood underneath so as not to damage the threads.
After removing the bolts, the strut is already removed.
Unscrew the nut securing the upper support to the body. The front strut is dismantled along with the spring and support.
This step requires special zip ties to remove the spring. It is necessary to create a gap between the cup and the last coil of the spring.
Since we loosened the strut rod nut in advance, we can now easily unscrew it completely. That's it, we separate the support and the spring with the cup.
We inspect the bumper and boot. If they are worn out, then we change them too.
Before installing new front shock absorber struts, we bleed them. This is done according to the instructions that are included when purchasing new racks.
We also change seals and gaskets.
We install the new rack and all previously removed parts.

After replacing the old struts with new ones, the driver will immediately feel the stability and smoothness of driving.

As we found out, the front struts stabilize the car, hold it, and absorb vibration. We listen to our car, how it works, how it behaves. If signs of malfunction are detected, repairs should be made.

Replacing the front shock absorber strut of Mitsubishi Lanser X (Mitsubishi/Mitsubishi Lancer X).

And this video shows the secret to restoring shock absorber struts.

Car shock absorbers front and rear: shock absorber design, operating principle, choice of shock absorbers

A shock absorber is a damping device that is used on a car to effectively absorb shocks and shocks, dampen vibrations, etc. Also, the shock absorber (car strut) allows you to press the wheel to the road when driving on rough roads, thereby improving traction properties, increasing braking efficiency, vehicle stability, etc.

Next, we will look at what a shock absorber is and what a car's shock absorber is. So, within the framework of the article, a separate emphasis is placed on what types of shock absorbers there are on cars, types of struts, how they differ, and also the advantages and disadvantages of various types of struts, etc. are considered.

Read in this article

Car shock absorbers, rear and front: what you need to know

Let's start with the fact that today there are several types of automobile shock absorbers. It is important to understand that they have both design differences and are quite different in terms of efficiency and functionality. Let's figure it out.

First of all, the purpose of shock absorbers is to dampen shocks and vibrations that are transmitted to the body when the car moves. Shock absorbers or struts work in conjunction with other elastic elements of the car's suspension (for example, springs, silent blocks, stabilizer bars, etc.).

One way or another, thanks to shock absorbers, it is possible to significantly improve the smoothness of the car, get rid of rocking (both longitudinal and transverse), and achieve better handling and stability of the car on the road.

Now let's move on to the device. Simply put, any shock absorber works on compression and rebound. Hydraulic shock absorbers were the first to be widely used on cars. At the same time, telescopic piston oil shock absorbers, based on the principle of liquid friction, are still used today.

Depending on the force the piston experiences and the mode in which the strut operates, the liquid will be forced out through holes with different diameters. During operation of the rack, the energy of liquid friction is converted into heat, and the general principle of operation allows vibrations to be dampened. Moreover, the strut works both in compression and rebound.

Let's move on. As a rule, car enthusiasts do not always pay attention to the types of shock absorbers. It is important to understand that there are significant differences between them. The fact is that the suspension shock absorber can be not only front or rear, but also single-pipe, double-pipe or combined, as well as oil, gas or gas-oil (gas/oil strut).

It turns out that if you need to buy rear or front shock absorbers, as well as all 4 struts for a car, it is important to take into account the features and differences of each type. Moreover, if a particular type of shock absorber is not selected correctly, this can affect the handling, as well as the comfort of driving the car.

Types of automobile shock absorbers

As you can see, the car strut is an important element in the suspension design. Also, the shock absorber strut directly affects not only comfort, but also handling. For this reason, you need to know how to choose the right front shock absorbers or rear struts, taking into account the characteristics of different types of such devices.

So, telescopic shock absorbers can be single-pipe, double-pipe or combined. Also, modern versions may have a flexible shock absorber adjustment function (adaptive suspension).

The first option is monotube or monotube shock absorbers. Such struts have only one cylinder, which acts as a housing for the piston and rod. To compensate for the volume of the rod, there is a separate chamber filled with gas. A floating piston separates gas from liquid.

As for the disadvantages, these are the complexity of manufacturing and the extremely high cost. Taking into account the fact that the pressure inside the pipe is very high, the housing must be as strong as possible. It should also be taken into account that if a stone gets into a mono-tube shock absorber, the cylinder wall becomes crooked and the piston may jam. As a result of such features, these racks are often installed only on sports cars.

Twin-tube shock absorbers differ from mono-tube shock absorbers in that they have two cylinders that are placed one inside the other (the inner cylinder has oil and a piston, which is connected to the suspension through a rod).

The outer cylinder is partially filled with air and acts as a reservoir for compensation. This reservoir is needed to allow the liquid displaced by the rod to flow through it. This design is cheap, has an acceptable service life and is efficient under normal conditions.

However, there were some downsides. The main problem is overheating and foaming of the oil, since the double walls do not allow the oil to cool well. In difficult conditions, the oil simply “boils” in the shock absorber, the car rocks, and controllability and stability deteriorate.

Gas-oil shock absorbers (combined) are an option that combines the advantages of mono-tube and double-tube shock absorbers. The design resembles a two-pipe rack, and the main difference is that instead of air, gas is pumped under pressure into the outer cylinder.

Adjustable shock absorbers allow the driver to customize the strut for a specific operating mode. On modern cars this is done electronically in automatic or manual mode.

In short, we can distinguish two types of such struts - electromagnetic ones based on electromagnetic bypass valves and shock absorbers using a special magnetorheological fluid. In the first case, electronics changes the operation of the valves, which affects the bypass of fluid and changes the stiffness of the shock absorber.

In the second, the electromagnetic field affects the oil particles near the bypass holes. As a result, the viscosity of the oil itself changes, again, this affects the bypass and changes the stiffness of the shock absorber.

Both the first and second types of adjustable racks are expensive. Also, judging by the reviews of car owners in the CIS, one can highlight the relatively short service life of these shock absorbers during active driving on broken roads.

Sports shock absorbers or reinforced shock absorbers are originally designed to work in harsh conditions and under heavy loads. As a rule, these struts have increased rigidity to provide better vehicle handling.

At the same time, comfort in this case is relegated to the background, since the main task of such racks is maximum stability of the car on the road, especially at high speeds and heavy duty.

It should also be noted that front and rear shock absorbers can have a twin-tube design, while more often twin-tube shock absorbers are installed on the rear axle taking into account lower loads, as well as in order to increase comfort.

Shock Absorber Malfunctions: Signs and Symptoms, Check

Taking into account the above information, you can understand which shock absorber struts are best to choose in a particular case. Next, having decided on the type, you should select a manufacturer, study the catalog and buy shock absorbers from the available suitable options for replacement.

At the same time, not all drivers know exactly when it is necessary to change the car struts. You can hear from some car enthusiasts that the front shock absorber lasts 50-60 thousand km, while the rear shock absorber lasts up to 100 thousand km, a gas shock absorber lasts 30-50% longer than an oil shock absorber, etc.

First of all, there are several signs that indicate that the shock absorber struts have failed:

rocking when driving even on a flat road;
all irregularities are rigidly transmitted to the body, impacts are felt on the steering wheel;
the car tilts when cornering and does not maintain its trajectory;
knocking and extraneous noises appeared when driving in the area of the struts;
decreased braking efficiency, pulls to one side or the other, etc.

Please note that this behavior of the car and the appearance of these signs is possible for other reasons. To accurately understand when shock absorbers are faulty or completely/partially out of order, you need to start with a visual inspection.

If drips are visible in relation to oil and gas-oil shock absorbers, this will indicate that the shock absorber is “sweating” or is completely leaking, the tightness is lost. If possible, to check the strut, it is better to remove it from the car and bleed it manually.

If this is not possible, just open the hood, rest against the pillar area and press the car body above the pillar as hard as possible, and then quickly release it.

In fact, oil leakage through the shock absorber seal, which manifests itself in the form of oil drips, indicates that the tightness in the area of the rod seal has been lost.

This can happen as a result of damage to the shock absorber boot, after which dirt gets onto the rod. The rod itself may also be deformed after driving on bad roads, from impacts, etc.

In any case, even if the shock absorber is still working, it will not last long and you need to prepare for replacement, since there is a leak of gas and shock absorber fluid, and the damping properties of the shock absorber have noticeably deteriorated.

It happens that even if the struts are dry on runs of about 90-100 thousand km, their performance still remains no more than 30-40% by such mileage. As for the rear struts, they usually run 30-40 thousand km more than the front struts.

Useful tips

If you analyze the information received, it becomes clear that if you need to choose one or another shock absorber, the price will be different. The cost will be influenced by the type of rack itself, as well as the main purpose (for the front or rear axle). As a rule, rear shock absorber struts will be cheaper than front shock absorbers, since they are easier to manufacture and do not require additional reinforcement compared to the more loaded front shock absorbers.

However, you should not try to save much on replacement. First, shock absorbers are replaced in pairs on the same axis. Also, if you need to replace the shock absorber, you can buy either an expensive original solution or an analogue from a well-known brand, or cheaper struts. At the same time, you should be prepared for the fact that budget shock absorbers can work very mediocre from the very beginning, do not correspond to the declared characteristics and quickly fail.

It is not recommended to skimp on rear struts. In some cases, an attempt to install high- or medium-class shock absorbers in front, and budget struts on the rear axle, leads to worse handling and reduced comfort. It is optimal to install racks of the same price category and the same manufacturer on the front and rear axles.

Finally, we note that the choice of shock absorber must be conscious; when selecting, the features discussed above must be taken into account separately. It is also important to take into account driving style, the condition of roads in the region, individual preferences, operating characteristics of the vehicle and a number of other parameters. In this case, you should purchase racks only from trusted sellers and install them correctly on the machine.

The reason is that there are a huge number of low-grade fakes on the market, and not all craftsmen follow the mandatory rules and recommendations when replacing struts (checking shock absorbers, properly pumping shock absorbers before installation, etc.).

How does a car rack work?

The shock absorber design fully complies with the functionality of the suspension, ensuring comfortable movement on roads with different surfaces and conditions. The main unit is a cylinder with a piston and bypass valves. The reliability of contact between the wheels and the road depends on the composition of the mixture filling the cylinder . There are hydraulic, hydropneumatic modifications that duplicate the mechanical spring, which is present in some models. “Soft” suspension is necessary for uneven roads, while “hard” suspension better holds the car on the road in the urban cycle.

Twin tube shock absorber

The two-pipe type rack structure is predominant in the market.

When compressed, the hydraulic mixture flows from a cylinder of a smaller diameter to a larger one, compressing the air located there. During the rebound, the valve opens and the liquid returns to the inner flask. The main characteristics of the oil/gas used to fill the flask are incompressibility and viscosity. The disadvantage of the scheme is the excessive saturation of the mixture with air, since it flows from cylinder to cylinder through different valves (aeration phenomenon). When the machine moves, mechanical energy (body vibrations on road unevenness) is converted into thermal energy (expansion/compression of the hydraulic mixture). The double body cools worse, therefore, this shock absorber device is not effective enough. Twin-pipe models cannot be installed with the stem in the lower position as this will guarantee incorrect operation.

Monotube rack

The monotube type shock absorber differs from the previous version by valves built into the piston (De Carbon system). When using a hydropneumatic mixture, the gas is separated from the liquid by a floating piston. Cooling of this design is more efficient, however, the design of the valves becomes more complicated. In certain modifications, holes and grooves are used. A car using this shock absorber device holds the road more confidently. With the same dimensions, the single-pipe model has a larger working chamber volume. Gas separation by the piston allows any installation options (rod up/rod down). At the same time, the unsprung weight of the vehicle is reduced.

The disadvantages of such a stand are:

vulnerability - the unit is sensitive to mechanical damage, any dent in the body guarantees the need for replacement
intense heat transfer - single-tube struts are dependent on the ambient temperature, the characteristics change in different weather, the suspension becomes softer in cold weather, harder in hot weather

To improve the characteristics of the shock absorber, manufacturers use the displacement of the hydraulic and gas chambers outside the cylinder. Thus, without changing the dimensions, the volume of the working mixture increases, the dependence on the weather disappears, and the stroke of the rod increases. Compression valves installed in the oil passages allow you to change/adjust operating modes (speed, rod stroke length, stiffness).

Hydraulic shock absorber

Despite the simple design of the shock absorber, it can change its characteristics due to additional built-in components. Each brand of car has individual characteristics, therefore, the racks must take into account vibration amplitudes, driving modes, and driving style. With the valves closed and fluid moving through the bypass channel, an absolutely rigid system is obtained. The open valve of the compensation chamber adds “flexibility” to the system. Different sections of the intake and exhaust valves create an asymmetrical system. Center valves on the piston create a non-linear "soft" strut system.

Gas-hydraulic shock absorber

The design of this car shock absorber has slight differences from the previous version.

Gas under high pressure is held inside by cuffs and gaskets. Instead of air, manufacturers use nitrogen or other inert gases. Racks of smaller diameter are filled with high pressure gas, and vice versa. In addition, the gas pressure of the car's shock absorber in the front and rear units is also different. On the classic VAZ, the springs are installed separately; on other models, the struts are assembled into one unit with an external spring location and a special fastening. In this case, the spring is not always the main element of the unit, but only duplicates the hydraulics. The height of the stand is adjustable with a nut, allowing you to change the vehicle's ground clearance. The following mounting of the car shock absorber to the body and suspension is possible:

eye/eye
pin/pin
bottom eye/pin
bottom crossbar/top pin
plug-in shock absorber

The first three options are most often used, as they are the most convenient to install.

The role of a shock absorber in a car suspension

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The unit is designed to dampen vibrations of the car body (vertical). They occur when driving on uneven roads, dynamically accelerating, or sharp braking. Turning at speed reduces tire traction. The variety of designs and mixture compositions is due to different operating conditions of the vehicle. An increase in the viscosity of the liquid used leads to increased “hardness” and increased heat generation.

The principle of operation of shock absorbers

The principle of operation of shock absorbers
Why are shock absorbers needed in a car?
The principle of operation of shock absorbers
Features and differences of shock absorbers
Which shock absorber option should you choose?
Resource and cost of shock absorbers

Shock absorbers can be gas, oil or gas-oil. We'll look at what the pros and cons of each are, which ones are the most reliable, and much more.

Why are shock absorbers needed in a car?

Before discussing the features of shock absorbers, it is worth talking about their operating principle. In the classic version of the layout, one shock absorber is located on one wheel, or rather, on each of the car’s support points. It happens that for each of the support points two, and sometimes more, shock absorbers are used, but this happens only in special cases.

The shock absorber, located at the fulcrum between the suspension and the body, is essentially a device for damping (damping) or preventing vibrations that occur in the car. Most will say that such a part is considered to be a spring (spring), and they will be absolutely right. However, the spring cannot effectively and quickly dampen vibrations that occur after driving over uneven sections of the road, because it only works in one direction, while the shock absorber works in the opposite direction.

The principle of operation of shock absorbers

The work of shock absorbers is as follows. By design, the shock absorber consists of a cylinder with a piston inside. The piston has check valves with different flow areas and, naturally, with different flow capacities. In one direction, the flow rate of the medium passing through the valve (for example, oil) will be large, which occurs when the shock absorbers are compressed. On the other hand, when stretched, the valves are adjusted in such a way that they reduce flow, thereby showing resistance to stretching of the shock absorbers.

The damping components in the shock absorber can be air chambers - they will act as dampers of sudden internal vibrations and shocks when the piston moves inside the shock absorber cylinder body. The principle of implementation of these chambers in shock absorbers may be different, but the meaning is the same. They dampen vibrations and also ensure good uniformity of travel according to changing forces during shock absorber operation. In addition, the gas chamber in the shock absorber changes its rigidity according to a nonlinear law, namely, their rigidity becomes greater during compression or stretching, which is not typical for liquids. These shock absorbers with gas chambers are called gas shock absorbers.

Features and differences of shock absorbers

We have already talked about oil and gas shock absorbers, but nothing has been said about gas-oil shock absorbers. In practice, such shock absorbers should also be considered gas. There are no completely gas shock absorbers, but they exist with a mixed type of medium - both gas and oil. Some call them simply gas shock absorbers, others gas-oil shock absorbers, but both names are considered correct.

Oil shock absorbers are more rigid because they contain only one working medium - liquid oil. As is known, liquids are practically incompressible; as a result, the stroke and force of shock absorbers depend only on the flow of the medium through the check valves in the cylinder piston. An oil shock absorber is considered more rigid and less inertial in relation to its movement.

Gas shock absorbers are considered softer, because the second working medium is gas, which is compressible, although it is under pressure. As a result, it will also take part in the smoothness of the ride and the force on the shock absorber rod. Compared to oil, it will be softer and more inertial in relation to the movement of the rod.

The main distinguishing feature of gas shock absorbers is their ability to change properties depending on the road due to the nonlinearity mentioned above in operation. We can say that gas shock absorbers are more elastic, since they will be softer when driving through uneven areas, but with large movements of the rod they will sharply increase their rigidity. The wide and variable operating range of gas shock absorbers is considered their best quality.

Often in practice it turns out that shock absorber manufacturers do everything differently. Gas shock absorbers are more rigid, while oil shock absorbers are, on the contrary, softer. All this depends on the settings of the valves, the volume of the chambers in the shock absorber and other design features.

Which shock absorber option should you choose?

If we talk about recommendations, then the choice of shock absorbers should coincide with the recommendations of the manufacturer for a particular car, because they must provide the necessary resistance force to perform perfectly. There is no need to experiment either with standard shock absorbers or with any others that differ significantly from the standard ones. Each competent manufacturer, in addition to calculating the suspension, also has significant experience in its properties and the influences on it during operation. This suggests that the best option would be to use only standard shock absorbers. Almost always you can find standard shock absorbers for any car model - both oil and gas.

If you suddenly have any problems with the suspension, then it is better to use soft shock absorbers for uneven roads, and hard ones for highways and freeways.

Resource and cost of shock absorbers

Gas shock absorbers have a more complex design because there are additional damping chambers with gas. In addition, they use gas-operated sealing surfaces. These seals are subject to stringent requirements, and the manufacturing technologies are correspondingly more complex.

The resource depends on the quality characteristics of the shock absorbers. Shock absorbers of good quality can last more than 60 thousand km. But when it comes to the service life of oil and gas shock absorbers with the same initial quality, then oil shock absorbers are simpler and more reliable. Oil shock absorbers have a simpler design, which reduces their cost by about 20% compared to gas ones.

They say that gas shock absorbers are more sporty because they are stiffer. But as stated earlier, and we will repeat again: everything depends on their settings. Under equal conditions, where the same materials are used, the same size of cylinders and piston, diameter of bypass holes, identical shock absorber stroke, oil ones are still considered more rigid than gas ones. However, in practice, manufacturers set gas shock absorbers to be more rigid.

If you look at the statistics, every fourth car needs to have its shock absorbers replaced. Worn shock absorbers have a bad effect on the vehicle's handling.

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