Car Shock Absorbers Definition, Working Principle, and Parts

Shock Absorber Defined:

A damper, or shock absorber, is a mechanical or hydraulic device that absorbs and dampens shock impulses. This is performed by converting the kinetic energy of the shock into another sort of energy (typically heat), which is then diffused. Dashpots are the most common type of shock absorber (a damper that resists motion by viscous friction).

The shock absorber's major job, in addition to smoothing out bumps and vibrations, is to keep the vehicle's tires in contact with the road surface at all times, guaranteeing the safest control and braking reaction from your car.

What Purpose Do Shock Absorbers Serve?

Shock absorbers serve two functions. Shock absorbers govern spring and suspension movement and keep your tires in contact with the ground at all times.

The only part of your car that makes contact with the road, whether at rest or in motion, is the bottom of your tires.

When a tire's contact with the ground is damaged or reduced, your ability to drive, steer, and the brake is severely hampered.

Shock Absorbers Working Principle:

Shock absorbers reduce spring motion by converting kinetic energy from the spring into thermal (heat) energy. Shock absorbers are oil-filled cylinders. An oil-filled piston swings up and down when the suspension of your car moves.

A little science first. Using a heat exchange system, shock absorbers work by transforming the kinetic energy (movement) of your suspension into thermal energy (heat), which is then released into the atmosphere. But it's not as complicated as it might seem.

Shock absorbers, as previously indicated, are essentially oil pumps. A piston is attached to the end of a piston rod and functions in opposition to the hydraulic fluid in the pressure tube. When the suspension travels up and down, the hydraulic fluid is poured into the piston through orifices (small holes).

Because the orifices only allow a little amount of fluid to enter through the piston, the piston slows, slowing spring and suspension motion.

Shock absorbers instantly adjust to road conditions because the more resistance they provide, the faster the suspension travels.

Shock Absorber Parts:

Shock Absorber Components

Mounts for Shock Absorbers:

Shock absorber mounts are components that connect shock absorbers to the body and suspension of a vehicle. Upper and lower mounts are available. Both can be of the same design, with an "eye into" for a bushing and bolt.

On the mountings is the shock absorber bush. Bushings absorb vibrations and isolate metal pieces to reduce noise and wear. They are commonly made of rubber or urethane. Bushings are among the shock absorber components that can be replaced.

Coil Spring Shock Absorber:

Some types of shock absorbers have a coil spring as part of the shock absorber system. These are also known as coil-over or spring coil shock absorbers.

Valve or apertures make up the shock absorber piston and piston rod. The shock's action is based on the movement of oil via these tubes.

Shock Absorber Cylinder:

This is the tube that makes up the body of the shock absorber. It contains compression oil and is the tube through which the shock absorber piston moves.

Shock absorber bolts:

On one end, the bolts connect the shock to the vehicle's body, and on the other, the suspension. Tighten them to the appropriate torque settings. Undertorqueing may result in loose shocks that do not perform as intended.

Types of Shock Absorbers:

The following are the many types of shock absorbers:

•   Hydraulic shock absorbers
•   Double-acting shock absorbers
•   Single-acting shock absorbers
•   Friction shock absorbers
•   Lever shock absorbers
•   Telescopic shock absorbers

  

  Shock Absorber Types

1. Hydraulic Shock Absorbers

All passenger vehicles now have hydraulic shock absorbers as standard equipment. They increase spring resistance by forcing fluid through check valves and small holes.

Shock Absorber of the Hydraulic Type

2. Double-acting shock absorbers

Shock absorbers with dual action give resistance to the springs during both compression and rebound.

Double Acting Shock Absorber

3. Single-acting shock absorber

A single-acting shock absorber just provides rebound resistance.

Single Acting Shock Absorber

4. Friction Shock Absorbers

Friction-type shock absorbers are practically obsolete due to their unpredictable damping qualities.

Friction Type Shock Absorber

5. Lever shock absorbers

The lever-type shock absorber works indirectly. A lever and link connect it to the chassis. When the axle swings up and down, a twin-piston arrangement pumps the oil via a valve.

Lever Type Shock Absorber

6. Telescopic shock absorber

A telescopic direct-acting shock absorber. It is connected to both the axle and the frame.

The telescopic shock absorber is shown simply. The upper eye is connected to the axle, and the lower eye is connected to the chassis frame. The bottom of cylinder C is connected to a second two-way valve B.

The fluid is in the annular space between cylinders C and D, which is connected to the space beneath valve B. On the skull J, there is a gland H. Any fluid that rod G scrapes off falls into the annular area via the inclined channel.

Telescopic Type Shock Absorber

7. Twin Tube Shock Absorber:

A twin-tube shock absorber is made composed of an inner and outer cylinder. The piston rod is connected to the piston valve, and the inner cylinder is filled with oil. The outer cylinder acts as a reservoir for low-pressure gas. The flow of oil from one chamber to the next is controlled by a base valve.

The piston rod moves in tandem with the wheel. The piston valve and base valve regulate the compression and rebound of the absorber. They analyze how quickly the oil flows back and forth. Low-pressure gas absorbs both vibration and shock. By behaving like a balloon, this gas absorbs vibrations.

8. Single Tube Shock Absorber:

These are high-pressure gas shocks with pressure tubes. This pressure tube has two pistons, one for dividing and one for operating. The attached pistons and rods are designed similarly to twin-tube shocks.

A monotube shock absorber can be fitted either upside down or right side up and will work in either orientation. Because of their flexibility, mono-tube shocks with springs are an essential component for sustaining the weight of the vehicle.

A monotube shock absorber does not have a base valve. The mono-tube shock has a bigger surface area and carrying capacity. These are well-known for their high oil content, which aids heat dissipation and reduces fading.

9. Spool Valve

Spool valve dampers are distinguished from standard flexible discs or shims by the use of hollow cylindrical sleeves with machined-in oil channels. Spool valving is electronic control compatible and can be utilized with monotube, twin-tube, and/or position-sensitive packing.

According to Multimatic's 2010 patent filing, eliminating the performance uncertainty associated with flexible shims results in mathematically predictable, reproducible, and robust pressure-flow characteristics.

FAQs.

What Is the Purpose of a Shock Absorber?

Shock absorbers are important safety components that can impact tire wear, stability, braking, vibration, driver comfort, and the life of other steering and suspension components. Shocks function with the suspension system of a commercial vehicle to maintain tire-to-road contact by limiting spring movement.

What Should I Do If My Shock Absorbers Are Worn?

4 Signs That Your Shock Absorbers Are Worn or Failing

•    Abnormal bouncing, swerving, and diving.
•    Unequal Tire Wear
•    Increased stopping distance
•    The Vibration of the steering wheel

Is Driving With a Broken Shock Absorber Safe?

The short answer is no - you should not drive a vehicle with a faulty suspension. You cannot drive a car with a damaged suspension component, whether it is a broken coil spring or a broken shock absorber.

How long do Shocks Absorbers last?

If your automobile has been "babied," you may anticipate your shocks/struts to survive roughly 10 years on average. If you've utilized your automobile like a workhorse, 5 years is about all you can hope for. This means that most shocks and struts have a maximum life expectancy of 7 or 8 years for the average motorist.

Do Shocks Contain Oil?

Shock absorbers are miniature oil pumps that contain a piston. They're normally filled with oil and have a rod that runs through the top of the shock. The top of the shock has a seal that prevents leaking, but it might get broken, allowing oil to flow out over time.

How Do Worn-Out Shocks Sound?

Unusual noises — when shock absorbers and struts wear down, you may hear a clunking or knocking sound. Upon the shock or strut bottoms out when striking a bump, metal-to-metal contact causes this sound. Furthermore, these sounds might be caused by worn shock or strut mounting components.

What Happens If the Shocks Are Too Strong?

Poor shocks can also impair steering control and cause uneven tire wear. Because automotive shocks wear out gradually, you may not notice because you become accustomed to looser, bouncier ride quality, similar to how you become accustomed to longer stopping distances as your car's brake pads wear out.

How Often Should Shocks Be Replaced?

Shocks and struts, like all other car parts and systems, require regular maintenance. According to auto repair specialists, they should be changed every 50,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on how much wear and tear they have endured.

Is it possible to replace just one shock absorber?

Because your shock absorbers function in pairs, replacing both of them at the same time is optimal. If one has broken or is seriously damaged, you may want to consider replacing only the affected side.

How Do I Determine If My Car Requires New Shocks?

•         The Symptoms of Worn Shocks and Struts

•          Sustained instability at motorway speeds.
•          In turn, the vehicle "tips" to one side.
•          During forceful braking, the front end drops more than intended.
•          Squat back during acceleration.
•          Excessive tire bouncing
•          Abnormal tire wear.
•          Fluid leaking on the outside of shocks or struts.

What Makes Shocks Bend?

Loading a vehicle with more weight than it is rated to bear might cause the struts that support the vehicle to flex. Even if an automobile is close to, but not over, its maximum payload, potholes, or other faults in the road might cause it to bounce. This bouncing might induce weight changes within the car, bending the struts.

Are the shocks in the front or back?

In truth, most current automobiles feature front struts and rear shock absorbers. Struts on both axles are common, whereas just shocks are uncommon.

What Is the Cost of Replacing Shocks?

On average, replacing the shocks on the same axle will cost between $250 and $600 in components, with labor expenses ranging between $150 and $350.

Which is better: gas or oil shocks?

A livelier ride is provided via gas-charged shocks. The oil must compress before it can be pumped through the valve. Hydraulic shocks provide a softer and more comfortable ride. It is raised at a slower rate with hydraulic shocks, resulting in a softer sensation.

What are car shocks made of?

Shocks are simple hydraulic oil-filled tubes linked to a piston. This mechanism allows the shock to release tiny volumes of hydraulic oil under high pressure to alleviate the bouncing movement of the vehicle.

What Is the Fluid in a Shock Absorber?

Shock absorbers decrease spring movement by turning the spring's kinetic energy into thermal (heat) energy. This heat energy was subsequently transformed into the hydraulic fluid. Shock absorbers are cylinders filled with oil.

What Is a Shock Absorber Used For?

Shock absorbers are important safety components that can impact tire wear, stability, braking, vibration, driver comfort, and the life of other steering and suspension components. Shocks function with the suspension system of a commercial vehicle to maintain tire-to-road contact by limiting spring movement.

What Is the Definition of Shock Absorber Material?

To accommodate the pressures generated by internal hydraulic forces, shock absorbers, and dampers are typically built of high-strength steel. Elastomeric seals prohibit fluid from leaking out of the cylinder, and unique plating and coatings protect the units from hard operating conditions.

What Do Shock Absorbers In A Car Mean?

"Shocks," sometimes known as dampers, damp excessive motion, preventing the vehicle's body from bouncing down the road.

What Happens If the Shock Absorber Fails?

A faulty shock absorber may cause your vehicle to bounce around, as well as excessive rolling, squatting, and diving. In other words, it will not be pleasant. Furthermore, your automobile will be more difficult to handle, especially at high speeds.

What's the distinction between a shock absorber and a suspension?

Shocks, often known as shock absorbers, are an important suspension system component. They regulate the impact and rebound movement of your vehicle's springs and suspension; they guarantee that the vehicle's tires are always in touch with the road surface; and, finally, they absorb energy.

Is it possible to repair a shock absorber?

Not every shock absorber issue is repairable. Individually replaceable parts include mounts, shock absorber bushings, seals, pistons, and compression oil. As a general rule, shock absorber repair should be considered only if the present shocks have not traveled more than 35 000 miles or slightly more.