Buyers Guide To Struts And Shock Absorbers

Where there are cars somewhere in the world, there will be a supplier of Suspension struts and Shock Absorbers somewhere handy. Although, saying somewhere handy, could mean the next block in an American town, or maybe a few hundred miles away in parts of Africa.Struts and shocks are the main components of an automobiles suspension. The McPherson Strut was developed by the Ford Motor Company in the USA. Some of the other types in use are a slight copy. Very basically, the strut is secured to the lower suspension wish-bones to which the stub axle is fitted. The top of the strut is secured to the upper sub-frame of the car, it can usually be seen alongside the battery, under the hood.A large coiled spring is fitted on the strut, this gives the car its ‘bounce’, as it rides over a bump in the road. That would be fine like that, the only problem is that the car would bounce about like a young puppy. This is where the shock absorber comes in, it is secured to the strut, and it ‘damps down’ the bounce effect.On the older cars of years ago, a shock absorber did just that, absorb the shocks, but it’s modern role is to smooth out the shocks. Inside the shock-absorbers, there used to be two large pistons which went up and down as the car went over bumps. The pistons had to push a fluid through a couple of pressure regulated valves, so controlling the amount of movement.Too much movement and the ride is bouncy, as it is with worn shock absorbers, and too little movement the ride is hard and generally uncomfortable. Struts and shocks wear as do all moving mechanical joints. It is often cheaper to buy reconditioned units, rather than brand new. The reconditioned units are virtually brand new, as only the metal case is re-used.It is when the automobile is traveling at around 70mph on a freeway, that it runs smooth and safely, and yet the same automobile can drive over the roughest terrain, within reason, and still the suspension supports the auto. Off road vehicles usually use heavy duty struts and shocks, but also the have a suspension and drive system especially designed for rough terrain.Because of the high volume of shocks and struts sold, the after market is very competitive, and although it is always worth shopping around, generally the prices are quite reasonable. Category:Home › Autos • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 2 • You should never use after-market auto parts when maintaining or fixing your car • Should a new car be rust-proofed? • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 1 • Five safest cars in North America • How to ensure your teen drives safely after getting a license • Pros and cons of using an hydrogen generator for your car • DIY automotive maintenance: How to change the oil