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Category  |   Discussion (0)Shock absorbers

Main > Automotive > Mechanics > Shock absorbers
This is what I got out of installing both front and rear shockers:

1) Front shockers make steering a front wheel drive car much easier (almost all cars are front wheel drive today).

2) Front shockers make braking much quicker because they force the car down harder into the road than old loose shocks - even saved me from a crash once.

3) Rear shocks raise the back of the car and save a lot on fuel because the back of the car is dragged easier by the engine. They make the whole ride more comfortable and less wobbly at the back, which you can strongly feel at the front.

4) Spring compressors are very easy to use so if you want to change your shock absorbers, you can do it yourself. Just be careful that the spring isn't suddenly released by wrong use of the spring compressors or you could severly injure yourself. Some mechanics don't want much for the labour to do it, but it really isn't very hard to do.

5) You can often re-use the rubbers, bushes and bump stops from old shocks but sometimes they also need to be replaced and can be expensive.

6) If you bounce a car's bonnet or boot up and down and it takes more than one spring back to come back to its original position (i.e. it bounces up and down again), you need to replace that set of shocks or struts.

7) Always torque shocks/struts while the car is on the ground and they are bearing weight.   [guest]

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Main > Automotive > Mechanics > Shock absorbers
Changing other suspension and steering parts in a car is always worth it, i.e. front control arm bushes, ball joints, tie rod ends and power steering rack bushes and seals. Rear trailing arm bushes are particularly effective when renewed, as they are responsible for most of the entire set of rear wheels' interface to the road.

Some of these bushes require a press to remove and install. You can expect a much better wheel alignment when you renew many of these components where they are worn or broken. There may also be some short-term fuel savings. Nolathane or polyurethane is always superior to rubber for durability and performance.   myxlfidian (150)

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Main > Automotive > Mechanics > Shock absorbers
Shock Absorbers and Engines:

I've recently discovered that a pair of new front shock absorbers or struts, can actually have a large effect on the functioning of your engine. The result achieved is smoother engine operation owing to less shock getting to the engine. Older engines in particular do not handle shocks, bumps, jolts and lurches very well. A new set of front shocks means that most of the shocks are absorbed before they get to the engine, allowing it to perform better. This produces not only better fuel economy but also more sustained and smoother power generation, because the engine is not as interrupted as previously. Engines need relative stability to be able to output sustained power generation. They cannot take disturbances without producing a corresponding reduction in smooth output of power.   myxlfidian (150)

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Main > Automotive > Mechanics > Shock absorbers
How are my wheels connected to the ground?

Though it may be fairly well-known that shock absorbers and in some cases bushes (usually control or trailing arms) are the single point of contact between all four of your car's wheels and the ground they ride on, the signficance of this is little appreciated. What it means is, if you have non-functioning shocks or struts, or hardened or split bushes, your connection to the road will be reflected in the poor quality of those suspension components. That is, you will have a jostling, bumpy, uncomfortable ride.

Most gas pressurised struts have a maximum warranty of 3 years or 100,000km. After this, if you notice a significant difference in performance, those shocks probably no longer function correctly. If you removed them from the vehicle, you would be able to push the piston rod down with little force, and it would not return to its original elongated position quickly - gradually creeping its way up. It is time to renew these struts or shocks. Springs and synthetic (polyurethane) bushes on the other hand, have much longer lifespans.

You need a wheel alignment if you change rear bushes or shock absorbers. If you do not want to change them, you will use more fuel, have more discomfort and have more collateral wear on parts that are exposed to more shock as a result of the poor suspension. Over time, and with high fuel prices, suspension components will pay for themselves.   myxlfidian (150)

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