What Do Car Shock Absorbers Do?

Date Posted: 13 May 2024

Car shock absorbers are essential components of a vehicle's suspension system and are critical in ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride, but are often, and undeservedly, overlooked when talking about suspension system upgrades. These devices are integral to vehicle safety, stability, and performance, so in this article we’ll delve into the workings of shock absorbers, their importance, the types that exist, and how they contribute to the overall driving experience.

Understanding Shock Absorbers

Car shock absorbers are mechanical devices that are designed to absorb and dampen the vibrations and impacts encountered by your vehicle's suspension system. They work in conjunction with other suspension components to maintain tyre contact with the road surface, ensuring optimal traction and handling.

For example, springs support the weight of your vehicle and provide elasticity, and ultimately determine how your car handles. Shock absorbers control the motion of the springs, preventing excessive bouncing and oscillation, and absorb the impact that the road would have on the springs on their behalf.

How They Work

The basic principle behind the functioning of shock absorbers is based on elementary physics and the First Law of Thermodynamics, i.e., ‘energy cannot be created nor destroyed, but only changes from one form to another.’ When it comes to car shocks, it refers to the conversion of kinetic energy into heat energy. As a vehicle encounters bumps, potholes, or uneven road surfaces, the suspension system compresses and rebounds, which generates kinetic energy.

However, during this motion, the shock absorbers transform the kinetic energy generated by the suspension's movement into heat energy and dampen it via hydraulic or pneumatic damping mechanisms. This process reduces the amplitude and frequency of oscillations, resulting in a smoother ride for occupants. In simpler terms, shock transforms kinetic energy generated through movement within the suspension system into heat energy and then disperses that energy.

Types of Car Shock Absorbers

A man fixing a tyre with the car shock absorbers clearly visible.

All car shock absorbers have the same role, but how they accomplish this task can be different. Based on how they function, there are two types of car shock absorbers: 1. hydraulic and 2. gas-filled. Hydraulic shock absorbers utilise fluid compression and decompression to absorb energy, while gas-filled shocks incorporate gas chambers to provide additional damping force.

When it comes to how they are designed, there are also two types: 1. mono-tube and 2. twin-tube shocks. Twin-tube shocks are the more common type and feature two cylinders - an outer reserve cylinder and an inner working cylinder. They contain a mixture of gas and hydraulic fluid, making them adaptable and cost-effective. In contrast, monotube shocks utilise a single cylinder that houses hydraulic fluid and a piston. They provide precise damping control and excellent performance even in extreme conditions, making them the preferred option for many off-road and high-performance scenarios.

The Roles and Benefits of Shocs

The primary role of shock absorbers is to enhance vehicle stability, handling, and ride comfort. By controlling the movement of the suspension system, they minimise body roll during cornering, improve steering response, and reduce the transfer of vibrations to the vehicle cabin. Additionally, shock absorbers play a crucial role in optimising braking performance by maintaining tyre contact with the road surface, thereby reducing stopping distances and enhancing safety.

On the other hand, if you drive with worn-out or bad shocks (or struts, for that matter), several issues can arise. First, reduced braking efficiency becomes a significant risk. Worn shocks can compromise your vehicle's ability to stop quickly, potentially increasing stopping distances in emergency situations. Plus, on wet roads, there's an elevated risk of skidding, further compromising safety.

Second, tyre wear becomes a concern. While you might dismiss tyre tread wear as normal, it could actually be a symptom of worn shocks. Merely replacing excessively worn tyres won't solve the underlying issue, so a thorough inspection of the steering and suspension systems could be crucial.

Additionally, driving with failing shocks can lead to a loss of handling and control. Excessive bouncing, abrupt rolling or swaying during turns, or feeling out of control in crosswinds are all indications of compromised control. Lastly, increased suspension movement due to worn shocks puts added stress on related components, including steering and breaking parts, leading to quicker wear and potentially higher repair expenses.

Choosing the Right Shock Absorbers

If you spot any of the symptoms of worn-out shocks that we mentioned, your best option is to have a mechanic do an in-depth inspection and replace your shocks if necessary. But when replacing shock absorbers, it's essential to consider factors such as vehicle type, driving conditions, and budget.

OEM (original equipment manufacturer) shocks are designed to meet the specifications of the vehicle manufacturer and provide reliable performance, plus, they tend to be relatively affordable. However, aftermarket options offer a wider range of choices, including performance-oriented shocks tailored to specific driving preferences.

The rule of thumb is that if you are looking for a cost-effective option, OEM is the better choice, but if you are looking for peak performance, then aftermarket car shock absorbers are the better choice.

Getting the Best Shocks for Your Car

Car shock absorbers are indispensable components of your vehicle's suspension system and you shouldn’t buy the first model you come across if you are looking to replace your old shocks. At Perfrom-Ex Auto, we have high-quality and affordable shocks for many types of vehicle makes and models.

Take a look at our selection of shocks and struts from the world’s leading automotive brands and find the ones that suit your vehicle. Once you’ve found the shocks you want, you can place your order online, choose from multiple payment methods (including buy-now-pay-later options), and we will ship the product to your address.

In case you are having trouble choosing which shocks are the best fit for your vehicle or have any other questions, please feel free to contact us and we will gladly answer your questions or give advice.