Shock absorbers wear out slowly. For a long time you do not notice how the quality of driving is gradually deteriorating. Sooner or later, there comes a point where you can no longer ignore sponge steering: a clear signal of worn shock absorbers. This is not only inconvenient, but also dangerous. Read everything you need to know about shock absorber replacement here.
Design and function of shock absorber
The shock absorber absorbs the movement of the wheels when driving through bumps, transferring them to the body damped and delayed. This makes driving more comfortable and safer. The car keeps its course and does not wag while driving.
Nowadays, it is hard to imagine how inconvenient transportation must have been in the era of buses. Not only were the streets as smooth and even as they are now. The vehicles were equipped with very primitive suspension. The fantastic construction of leather belts and leaf springs caused more seasickness than comfort. . Traditional solutions to improve comfort were not suitable for cars anyway. There was a need for new, more compact solutions. In addition, they had to be especially adapted to cars that were gradually getting faster. Originally used leaf springs . They are cheap and easy to manufacture and also very reliable. Therefore, they can still be found rear axlecommercial vans . They were soon supplemented by oil shock absorbers capable of absorbing small bumps.
With the introduction of spiral coils suspension struts have become as compact as modern cars require . Oil shock absorbers are now used only occasionally. Most motorcycle front forks are still equipped with this damping solution.
Gas shock absorbers are now the standard for cars. . Their advantage is excellent damping characteristics. Their disadvantage is that they are a typical wear part and need to be replaced regularly. Gas shock absorbers cannot be repaired.
Determining a faulty shock absorber
Defective shock absorber has lost its damping effect . The car is now damped only by helical coils. When braking, the front of the vehicle dives and bounces a lot, damping is almost non-existent. This can also be tested on a stationary vehicle: just click on it on every corner and watch what happens: if the car bounces a few times, the shock absorber is broken .
Another sign is clucking or oil leakage from the damper. Rattling sounds while driving indicate a bearing failure. . Its replacement requires disassembly of the shock absorbers, which must be replaced.
Beware of mortal danger!On the front axle, the shock absorber is built into the coil. To replace it, the helical coil must be compressed, which causes very high tensile forces. Uncontrolled decompression of the coiled coil can result in life-threatening injuries. NEVER change shock absorbers without the proper tool! Spring compressors can be purchased from a specialist shop for only a few shillings. They guarantee comfortable and safe handling. Every attempt with cables or tension straps is a high safety risk!DisclaimerThis article is a general description of replacing shock absorbers in a car! This is by no means a manual or a repair manual. We directly declare that this repair is the work of professionals. We expressly disclaim any liability for damages resulting from imitation of the steps and actions described in this article.
Replacing shock absorbers on the rear axle Replacing shock absorbers on the rear axle is relatively easy . The spring and damping assembly are often installed separately. The car must be sufficiently jacked up so that there is no pressure on the rear axle, i.e. e . wheels hung freely. Remove the wheels to unscrew the shock absorbers. This procedure should only be carried out if the suspension struts are not mounted as a unit on the rear axle. .
Replacing shock absorbers on the front axle The front axle is usually equipped with suspension struts. , in which the damping unit is embedded in a spiral helix. Removing them is somewhat more difficult.
1. Jack up the car Before Jacking Up: Loosen Wheel NutsTo operate the vehicle safely, it must be in a safe position. The most suitable are special security racks. Wooden blocks, bricks or a single hydraulic jack pose a significant risk of accident . Always use suitable tools. The vehicle must always be lifted to the anchor points provided. Incorrectly installed jacks can cause serious damage to the bodywork.
2. Wheel removal Loosen the wheel nuts before jacking up. Now they can be easily unscrewed.
3. Disconnecting the shock absorber from the wheel The shock absorber is attached to the wheel suspension with two bolts. If they are too tight, a little penetrating oil can help here (eg. , WD-40 ).4. Disconnect connected components The brake hose, wear sensor cable and ABS sensor are disconnected and deposited with ties. In order not to disconnect the brake circuit, the brake caliper can be unscrewed and suspended to the side. This greatly simplifies disassembly of the shock absorber. The connecting rod in its upper mount is also unscrewed, as well as the steering knuckle. Now the brake disc can be folded to the side, and the shock absorber hangs freely.
5. Disconnect thrust bearings. The shock absorber is now connected to the body by a strut support. The covers are removed with the hood open, which allows you to unscrew the bolts under it.
6. Suspension upgrade If you don't have the proper tools to clamp the rack, you can replace the entire component. The coils of the spring are also subject to wear. A complete suspension strut with a spiral coil and shock absorber is much easier to replace. Also, this sets a new suspension condition.If the coil is supposed to be used further, and only the shock absorber is to be replaced, then it is necessary to disassemble the suspension strut. Clamping the spring opens access to the shock absorber. The spring plates are unscrewed and the damping assembly can be pulled out. The correct installation direction is marked with an arrow.IMPORTANT: An impact wrench must not be used to install a new shock absorber as it may loosen the O-ring. If this is left unnoticed, the strut shock absorber may collapse while driving, which could lead to a dangerous situation.Replacing the shock absorber means replacing the strut bearing.
7. Further repair Everything is assembled in the reverse order. Now you need to replace the shock absorber on the other side .As a general rule, all front axle components are always replaced in pairs. . This applies to brakes, steering knuckles, ball joints and tie rods. Since these components must in any case be disassembled or removed if the shock absorber is replaced, they should be carefully inspected before reassembly. If components are approaching their wear limit, this is an excellent reason for preventive replacement.By all means take a look at the inner and outer axle bushings . If they are torn or porous, they can also be replaced. This is especially true if grease leaks. This means a little more work. On the other hand, you now have a brand new front axle for little money.Replacing the shock absorber is an intervention in the geometry of the steering axle axle. Therefore, after repair, the car should be taken to the garage to measure its progress. Otherwise, the ability to drive straight ahead may deteriorate, resulting in uneven wear on the front tires.
New shock absorbers provide comfort and safety
With freshly replaced shock absorbers, full driving safety is restored. The car is easier to keep under control, and driving becomes much more comfortable. It holds its course better and no longer deviates. This is noticeable immediately after installing new shock absorbers. Therefore, monitoring the shock absorbers is a reasonable measure. Checking every 30-000 km can protect you from unpleasant surprises .
Beware of mortal danger!On the front axle, the shock absorber is built into the coil. To replace it, the helical coil must be compressed, which causes very high tensile forces. Uncontrolled decompression of the coiled coil can result in life-threatening injuries. NEVER change shock absorbers without the proper tool! Spring compressors can be purchased from a specialist shop for only a few shillings. They guarantee comfortable and safe handling. Every attempt with cables or tension straps is a high safety risk!DisclaimerThis article is a general description of replacing shock absorbers in a car! This is by no means a manual or a repair manual. We directly declare that this repair is the work of professionals. We expressly disclaim any liability for damages resulting from imitation of the steps and actions described in this article.
