Your Serene, Green Auto Repair Team and Small Business of the Year.
Written by Henry & Lisa Carter
There are shocking experiences, electric shocks, and perhaps shocks about your car’s shocks. Nearly every vehicle on the road has some sort of suspension system that involves shock absorbers. Many bicycles have them as well. Shocks are an integral part of both on and off-road vehicles.
Do I really need shocks? Without shock absorbers, it's like riding in an old carriage with springs…bouncy and hard! Ever see a car in front of you bouncing forever after going over a bump? Shock absorbers were created for vehicles to smooth your ride.
Shock Absorber Described: Your every-day shock absorber is an oil-filled tube holding a piston with valves attached to a rod. The tube is attached to the suspension of the car; the rod is attached to the frame of the car.
What is the job of a shock absorber? Just like it sounds: it absorbs shocks. Normally there is one shock at each wheel on your car. It keeps the wheel from going up too fast – and from going back down too fast. This technical feat goes a long way toward stabilizing the car on the road.
Drive over a bump: the shock absorber's tube moves upward toward the frame – but it is slowed down by the action of the valves in the piston moving through the oil. This dampens the movement.
The size and type of valves used in the piston, as well as the amount of dampening the shock has, is what creates softer or harder ride characteristics. Depending on the way you want your car to handle: hard for performance, soft for comfort will determine your shock choice..
The most asked ‘shocking’ question, “What is the difference between a shock and a strut?” A shock and a strut are similar in function, but different in design. Both control suspension movement, however, a strut is also a structural part of the suspension. Struts can replace as many as two or three parts of the suspension.
How long do shocks and struts last? They should be inspected at least once a year. Things that affect the life of a shock are; driving habits (Hwy 17), road conditions (potholes and speed bumps), how many kids and how much sports equipment have you piled into that ‘mini-van’, road contaminants, and the condition of the other suspension components. Our experience says shocks and struts on the lower-quality end of the spectrum may last two to three years; really good equipment may last for five to seven years.
Why bother to replace my shocks? Bad shocks need to be replaced because they are bad! They can damage your suspension, and cause uneven tire wear. They affect your ability to keep control of your vehicle – like steering and stopping – especially on roads like Highways 9 and/or 17. Not to mention the amount of noise some bad shocks make.
When replacing struts, don’t skip the top rubber mount and bearing plate. These parts get as much abuse as the strut and will cause you to need more repairs or even ruin the new strut before its expected life is over.
What do you recommend if they need to be replaced? We recommend using high quality parts such as gas pressure shocks. The main difference in gas shocks is that they have a gas reservoir inside that makes them a whole lot more effective, as far as the ride is concerned, than non-gas shocks. Our favorites are Bilstein and KYB.
Water Star Motors is at 318-A River Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. 831-457-0996
We want to answer your car questions through Rock, Paper, Car.
Send questions and comments to: Henry&Lisa@WaterStarMotors.com
