For a car owner, how their car sounds as it picks up speed, its horsepower, and how it looks on the outside are all factors that hold great importance. However, the car's acceleration and appearance may not be of much use if the wheels are not in the driver's control or providing traction. This is where the suspension system comes in.
A suspension system might not be necessary if roads all over the world were perfectly flat even where no potholes existed. However, as this is not the case, your vehicle will experience conditions that can impact handling.
When that car hits a bump, it bounces up and falls back down, which means the wheel moves vertically upwards. Without something to hold the wheel into place, all of this energy impacts the frame, which also moves upwards. Without the suspension, the tires can lose contact with the road, letting the car bounce upward and slam back onto the road with the same force.
The importance of shocks and suspension systems is hidden within this logic. They absorb this energy and allow the car to ride on bumpy roads undisturbed by all the hurdles.
The importance of shocks and suspension systems goes beyond maintaining a smooth ride and improving handling. Every vehicle is built with either shock absorbers or struts. The shocks or struts reduce the spring movement once the vehicle begins to experience bumps in the road.
Suspension maintenance is essential as it can prevent our car from absorbing all the negative effects of bumps in the road. We can also experience a much smoother ride and wheel handling. Moreover, a great suspension system can increase the longevity and reliability of our vehicles as it prevents other components from getting damaged over time.
Why do people get suspension upgrades? You may wonder why car owners want to know more about the types of car suspension systems and are always looking out for signs of worn-out shocks and suspension. It is because a suspension system can greatly impact vehicle handling and comfort. Here's how;
Comfortable Driving
Shock absorbers and struts allow you to drive comfortably without experiencing a lot of vibrations and sound as your car navigates the bumps and indents in the road. A well-maintained suspension also allows for less noise and vibration as vehicle speeds increase.
1. Tire Grip
The springs in the suspension system support most of of the vehicle's mass. This is called the sprung mass, while the part of the car that lies below the springs is called the unsprung mass (usually the car's wheels, brakes, and anything else attached to the wheels).
It is important to keep the unsprung mass as low as possible to maintain a comfortable driving experience. The greater the mass the wheels have to support, the more force they may exert as they drive over the bumps. Over time, this force impacts the tires’ grip and can cause premature or irregular wear.
With better suspension systems, traction is increased, allowing the tires to maintain their performance.
Do you think your tire performance has deteriorated, or do your wheels need alignment? Click here to learn more.
Body Roll
The body roll is one of the biggest warning signs of worn-out shocks, struts, and other suspension components. If your car is leaning to the side (much more than normal) when you make a sharp turn, it may be time for a suspension upgrade.
The more body roll a vehicle experiences, the greater the rollover chance during sharper turns. This can be dangerous for drivers.
Here are some of the important components of a suspension system;
Shock absorbers are primarily responsible for controlling a vehicle's spring and suspension movement. The faster a vehicle moves, the greater the speed of the suspension and the more energy a shock absorber has to deal with. This is offset by the resistance that reduces the effects on the car.
Great quality shock absorbers can prevent;
Struts perform the same function as shock absorbers. They are used in most modern cars with independent suspension systems, mostly in front-wheel drive vehicles.
Struts perform the shock absorber function and provide structure to the vehicle's suspension system. Struts can also support the spring and maintain the position of the tires. Suspension maintenance can be optimized with struts as they provide greater stability to the suspension and allow for better handling.
Choosing the right struts and shocks for your vehicle may require you to speak to a professional who can analyze the condition of your car and use their experience to provide the right suggestion.
Here are some other parts of the suspension system;
1. Springs
The springs are one of the most important parts, as discussed earlier. These absorb the brunt of the impact once the car hits an uneven surface and help prevent damage to the car. The coils in the spring expand and compress as the car hits a pothole, absorbing the dip so that you don't feel a difference.
2. Wheels
The wheels are also integral to the system as they maintain contact with the ground. The better the alignment of the wheels with the suspension system, the better the vehicle's performance.
3. Steering
The steering is what allows you to control the car. Although it isn't a part of the suspension, it is the one component most affected once the suspension system fails. The steering essentially works with the suspension system to be able to control the movement of the tires.
Control Arms, Bearings, and Bushings
The control arms are at the heart of the suspension system. They connect all of the different parts together. The bearings and bushings are required to connect these arms to components of the suspension system and enable smooth movement between those parts.
4. Frame
This supports the mass of the vehicle and holds the suspension components in place.
Here are some of the different types of suspension systems;
Conventional suspension systems have existed for decades and are still among the world's most reliable and durable systems. They include;
Independent suspension systems allow all four wheels of the car to move independently of one another. This limits vibrations and also disallows one wheel to affect the others.
A recent introduction in the world of suspension systems, this technology uses air-filled rubber bags or air springs to hold up the car's mass. This feature is usually found in many modern cars, such as SUVs, luxury vehicles, and other commercial vehicles that have been recently introduced to the market.
Air suspension systems allow for an even smoother ride, reduced vibration, increased handling, less fuel consumption, and fewer negative effects on the tires!
Shock absorbers, struts and a car's suspension system dampen the vibrations that result from bumps in the road. They allow a driver to ride over those bumps more smoothly and increase their ability to handle the car.
Once you begin to drive that car on the road, you will encounter bumps that can impact your vehicle. These bumps create vibrations that flow through the car. The suspension system can essentially absorb these vibrations and save the car and its occupants from the impact.
The first point of contact after the tires is the springs. As the car moves over a bump, the springs absorb that energy. The energy eventually travels through the spring and is dampened by the shock. This dampening allows the car to avoid impact and reduces spring oscillation.
With the help of the joints, the springs and shocks can move together and minimize vertical movement of the car. In short, the suspension can prevent the tires from lifting off the road, thus giving you a smoother drive.
As mentioned earlier, the shocks or struts can absorb the impact of the bumps on the car and convert the energy into thermal energy, which is released through the car's frame. This is achieved through tiny ports inside the shock or strut that allow fluid within the shock to pass through. The fluid eventually slows down the piston's movement and slows down the springs and the suspension system.
Eventually, this reduced movement prevents the car and the suspension system from getting damaged or receiving more impact from the bump. Without the shocks or struts, the car may lose control due to vertical movement and the entire impact of the bumps on the road.
The better the condition of the suspension system, the easier it is for the shocks to absorb the impact with bumps. This prevents steering misalignment and weakened suspension systems. Over time, it maintains the control a driver has on the car.
Want to get your steering linkage inspected? Click here to learn more.
Here are some signs of worn out shocks and suspension;
Most suspension problems present themselves in small signs that should be attended to as soon as possible. This includes;
Here are some of the common signs of worn out shocks and suspension that should encourage you to visit your car mechanic;
All of these are signs that your suspension system might be worn out and that you may need to get your car checked by a professional.
A car's suspension system wears over time. This can affect the tires, how the car drives, and how much control you have over the vehicle? Soon, it can get dangerous as the car rolls over to the side when you make sharp turns or bounces into the air when you hit a bump.
It is important to get your car inspected for suspension issues regularly. One of the best tips for maintaining your vehicle's suspension is to watch for any unusual problems and take it to the mechanic once you notice.
Frustrated due to an uncomfortable and bumpy ride? You have just one component to blame and that’s the shock absorbers in your vehicle. From making your ride miserable to impacting handling performance, broken shocks are a nuisance. Replacing them can be even harder because of the wide variety of products available in the market. This guide will make your shock or strut buying experience hassle-free and keep you informed so you get the best buy for your buck and match shocks to your exact needs.
1. What Are Shock Absorbers And Why Do I Need Them?
2. What Are The Types Of Shock Absorbers?
3. What Should I Consider Before Buying Shock Absorbers?
4. What Are The Top Brands Of Shock Absorbers I Can Choose?
5. What Are The Symptoms Of Failing Shock Absorbers I Should Know About?
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What Are The Types Of Shock Absorbers?Shock absorbers are integral suspension system components that dictate many important suspension and vehicle characteristics. This is why they can be classified based on many different categories. The most important categories are as follows:
Certain shock absorbers are structural components of the vehicle like a strut and so the construction can vary according to the suspension type. Essentially there are three types of shocks that can be distinguished based on construction: Spring-seated or coilovers, struts, and shock absorbers. Shock absorbers have a chamber with a piston. This chamber is filled with some sort of fluid that resists the movement of the piston arm. Struts and coilovers have a shock absorber as the main component but the construction is varied. They usually have coil springs attached to the housing.
The difference between struts and coilovers is that struts are designed to bear larger side loads and are mounted directly to the vehicle’s chassis. Coilovers are commonly used in place of conventional shock absorbers and also replace the factory suspension springs. An advantage of this arrangement is the adjustability of the ride height. By altering the spring length, you can change the ride height of the car. Struts can be further classified into repairable and non-repairable types where the repairable ones allow the replacement of individual components like springs and shock absorbers.
Shock absorbers can be classified based on the internal design of the chamber that produces many different types of shock absorbers. The most common types are Mono-tube and Twin-Tube shock absorbers. Mono-tube shocks have a single tube in which the piston is suspended, whereas in the twin-tube design there are two chambers – outer and inner tube. Twin-tube shock absorbers are commonly used in commercial vehicles due to their agreeable characteristics whereas mono-tube designs are common in sports applications.
Adjustable Shock absorbers allow the user to fine-tune the shock absorber in many different ways to suit their exact needs. The user can adjust the compression and rebound damping. These parameters determine how the shock absorber will react when operated. However, you require a keen understanding of the device to be able to effectively tune the shocks and get useful results. For most folks, non-adjustable type shock absorbers are the better fit.
Shock absorbers can be further categorized into two types based on the fluid used inside the chamber. Although all shock absorbers have some sort of hydraulic oil, some shocks use special gasses along with the conventional oil to prevent aeration, enhance heat dissipation, and ultimately perform better. On this basis, you can classify shocks into hydraulic and gas shocks. Gas shocks usually have pressurized nitrogen gas inserted into the chamber. Gas shocks usually come with a reservoir where pressurized gas is stored. This reservoir may be directly attached to the shock absorber housing or can be placed away and have lines running to the shock. Gas shocks tend to be aimed toward off-roading and heavy-duty applications where there is a constant requirement of shock absorption like when driving over rough terrains.
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What Should I Consider Before Buying Shock Absorbers?As you can tell from the many types, shock absorbers vary in many different ways and so it is easy to get confused when purchasing new ones, especially if you want something better than what came from the factory. The below list provides an insight into factors you should be considering before you buy new shock absorbers for your vehicle.
Your shock absorber choice largely depends on your driving condition and style. Everyday commuters that stick to highways and roads can opt for reliable and durable steel twin-tube shock absorbers. Within twin-tube shock absorbers is Position sensitive damping and Acceleration sensitive damping twin-tube shock absorber. These offer many advantages over standard twin-tube shocks like faster damping response, providing more comfort, and can be an upgrade over the factory twin-tube shocks.
For those who often track their vehicles or go on unpaved surfaces like off-roaders and racing vehicles, the better choice is mono-tube shock absorbers. These types of shocks are capable of withstanding harsher driving conditions that can be found in racing and off-roading applications.
The cost of shock absorbers can get really steep the more high-performance they are. Twin-tube shocks are usually an affordable replacement choice for most users. However, position and acceleration sensitive damping twin-tube shocks can be more expensive but worth the extra cost due to the better performance they give. Monotube shocks can get quite expensive but are a necessity in performance applications. Heavy-duty shock absorbers and struts also cost more but are a long-lasting and durable choice for those who have larger vehicles.
If you want high-performance shock absorbers then you need to look to the aftermarket as OE replacements are pretty limited. Different manufacturers have different offerings that are suited to different users. OE counterparts are designed for a broad user base and do not cater to any specific applications. On the other hand, aftermarket brands can provide solutions for even the most unique shock absorber needs. The features mentioned along with each brand can help you decide which brand meets your shock absorber requirements.
Another shock absorber variation you need to consider is the material they are made of. The material the shock is made of can influence many important characteristics like performance, weight, and price. Shock absorbers are available in steel and aluminum. Steel shocks are affordable choices and have a good lifespan and performance. However, they are heavier, cannot be adjusted, and are susceptible to corrosion after prolonged usage. Aluminum shocks are lightweight which helps reduce unsprung mass and can be adjusted which allows the user to alter the ride height. Although these performance benefits come at a premium price.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Failing Shock Absorbers I Should Know About?Understanding the failures of the struts or shock absorbers before major problems arise and having them fixed is necessary for the best vehicle operation, a smooth ride, proper handling, and most importantly – stability. Here are a few shock absorber failure symptoms:
A. Bumpy Ride
If the ride feels very bouncy then it is an indication that the struts or shock absorbers have failed and do not dampen the road disturbances effectively. Experiencing a bumpy ride can mean that there is an issue with the dampening of the bumps which means that the shock absorbers or struts are failing to do their job. In such a situation, to verify if the shock or struts are worn out, one can do a bounce test. Simply push your entire weight down on your car’s bonnet. Release and count the number of times the car bounces. If it bounces more than three times, then there is a problem with your shock absorbers or struts.
B. Dipping, Leaning Or Swerving Of The Vehicle
Another prominent failure symptom of the suspension system can be observed while accelerating, braking or cornering. If the vehicle leans backward during acceleration, or nose-dives during braking, or leans from side-to-side while making a turn then the shock absorbers and struts are worn out causing a complete failure of the system.
C. Excessive Vibrations
The job of the shock absorbers is to absorb the shocks that occur as the vehicle goes over bumps and uneven surfaces on the road. If the shocks fail then these vibrations make their way into the cabin and create an uncomfortable ride. These vibrations can also be felt at the steering wheel and can hinder the movement of the vehicle causing the vehicle to pull to one side, involuntary turns, and loss of control.
D. Noticeable Leaks
The hydraulic fluid within the shock can start to leak if the shock casing is damaged or the seals wear out after prolonged use. The leak will cause the hydraulic fluid level to decrease to a point where the shock absorber loses functionality. If you find excessive liquid surrounding the shocks then have them replaced immediately. Note that a thin layer of liquid can be present over the shock after the piston has expended leaving behind some residue. This is natural and there’s nothing to worry.
E. Uneven Tire Wear
One of the functions of the shock absorbers is to maintain tire contact with the road surface. If the shocks are worn out, the tire contact patch is abrupt and so the tires do not wear evenly. However, uneven tires can be caused by many reasons so it is important to check the shock absorbers.