Shock absorbers do what their name suggests. They absorb shocks. There are a few different types of shock absorber but they all do the same job, provide a smooth ride.
When you’re driving your car and it hits a bump, your shocks are what absorb and distribute the impact. They are an integral component of your cars suspension system. Your suspension springs support the weight of the car and keep the tyres on the road.
We’ll tell you how shock absorbers work and then fill you in on how they fit into your cars suspension system.
So how do shock absorbers work?
They’re an extremely important suspension part to help you drive over any road conditions.
Your shock absorbers are a pressurised tube. Inside the tube is a piston attached to a rod. The tube is secured to the car and the rod is secured to the wheel. As the wheel travels up and down the rod travels up and down inside the tube. The tube is filled with a nitrogen gas or hydraulic fluid, and the piston compresses it. To allow dampening and compression without explosion, there are perforations and small diameter holes which the oil is forced through.
When the bump has been dealt with and the car returns to rest, the rod retracts the piston. This suction pulls the fluid or gas back into the chamber. Leaving it ready to take on the next bump.
In some cars there is a need for twin tube shocks or even twin shocks. These are mainly in off-road vehicles. The resistance that shocks provide to road surface changes.
The other thing you might not consider is braking.
So in essence, your shocks take kinetic energy created from load changes and disperse it through it’s fluid.
What do shocks and the rest of your suspension do?
Your shocks take care of bump and weight control. Your springs take care of supporting your car’s weight and bracing against the wheels. Your anti-roll bars work with your shocks to mitigate body roll and weight transfer.
So much like everything else in your car, life, and Christopher Nolan movies, everything is connected and intertwined.
That’s why your shocks are so important. They help stop the car, accelerate, turn and drive in a straight line.
I think something’s wrong with my shocks
If something’s wrong with your shocks, we can sort it out. We can pair your car with a skilled mechanic near you. Making your shock repair easy and convenient.