Suspension
Source: http://www.kyb.com.ph
A vehicles suspension is made up of three components, the tyre, the spring and the shock absorber.
All three components need to be in good working order to keep the tyre properly in contact with the road.
The basic function of a shock absorber is to keep the vehicles tyres in contact with the road.
The shock absorber regulates the movement of the spring and is the final crucial link in ensuring a smooth and more importantly safe ride. Even with new tyres and new brakes, unless all shock absorbers are in good working order vehicle safety is compromised because of reduced wheel contact with the road.
All three components need to be in good working order to keep the tyre properly in contact with the road.
The basic function of a shock absorber is to keep the vehicles tyres in contact with the road.
The shock absorber regulates the movement of the spring and is the final crucial link in ensuring a smooth and more importantly safe ride. Even with new tyres and new brakes, unless all shock absorbers are in good working order vehicle safety is compromised because of reduced wheel contact with the road.
With springs but no shock absorbers, the vehicle is able to absorb bumps, but the undampened suspension means that the vehicle continues to bounce and causes the tyres to leave the road.
With springs and shock absorbers, the vehicle not only absorbs bumps but also the shock absorbers dampen the springs and prevent the vehicle from bouncing
Shock absorbers and coil springs are subjected to the elements like rain, dirt and salt from the roads. This can lead to corrosion and weakened performance. They should therefore be checked every 30,000km and replaced every 80,000km.
Where are shock absorbers located?
Why are shock absorbers important?
• A stabilizing factor – ensures safety during cornering.
• Ensures a smooth, comfortable ride.
• Ensures brake efficiency.
• Enhance steering capability.
• Prevent damage to other car components.
• Part of the suspension system
• Ensures a smooth, comfortable ride.
• Ensures brake efficiency.
• Enhance steering capability.
• Prevent damage to other car components.
• Part of the suspension system
What are gas & fluid shock absorbers made of?
What are the differences between Gas & Oil type shock absorbers?
The Effects of Worn Shocks
Simply Put: More Wear = Less Vehicle Control
There are two major disadvantages that begin to occur as your shocks (or struts) wear. First, as the shock’s ability to resist wheel & body movement diminishes, it becomes more difficult to control your vehicle. That becomes evident as quick-stopping distances increase and the driver has to compensate for conditions like body roll and nose-diving. The second is increased wear of every other related vehicle component. Since more suspension movement is allowed as the shocks wear, every attached part is subject to additional impacts and wear to those components occurs more quickly. The suspension springs, support arms, bushings, joints and wheel alignment all suffer. That translates to a shorter vehicle life, less vehicle satisfaction and additional repair expenses.
Why less control?
Worn shocks allow more dramatic up & down tire movement. As the tire bounces up, the available tread contact on the pavement decreases. If the tire isn’t gripping the road well, you have traction loss. Cornering, accelerating and stopping can become a problem. Additionally, when you add wet or slippery conditions… well you can imagine the trouble the driver can have.
Why more wear?
It’s a little bit like the old song: “The knee bone is connected to the thigh bone; the thigh bone is connected to…” The extra impact and movement at each attached part causes accelerated deterioration or wear. One worn part causes another… and another… and so on.
There are two major disadvantages that begin to occur as your shocks (or struts) wear. First, as the shock’s ability to resist wheel & body movement diminishes, it becomes more difficult to control your vehicle. That becomes evident as quick-stopping distances increase and the driver has to compensate for conditions like body roll and nose-diving. The second is increased wear of every other related vehicle component. Since more suspension movement is allowed as the shocks wear, every attached part is subject to additional impacts and wear to those components occurs more quickly. The suspension springs, support arms, bushings, joints and wheel alignment all suffer. That translates to a shorter vehicle life, less vehicle satisfaction and additional repair expenses.
Why less control?
Worn shocks allow more dramatic up & down tire movement. As the tire bounces up, the available tread contact on the pavement decreases. If the tire isn’t gripping the road well, you have traction loss. Cornering, accelerating and stopping can become a problem. Additionally, when you add wet or slippery conditions… well you can imagine the trouble the driver can have.
Why more wear?
It’s a little bit like the old song: “The knee bone is connected to the thigh bone; the thigh bone is connected to…” The extra impact and movement at each attached part causes accelerated deterioration or wear. One worn part causes another… and another… and so on.
What conditions?
The best way to talk about ride control conditions is to show you some examples. Actually all vehicles experience these movements or conditions to some degree. However as more wear occurs, each one finally becomes a control or safety concern. KYB developed a rating system that can be used to discuss various stages of wear.
Conditions Rating Scale
Use this simple guide to compare current conditions to like-new condition or the improvement that new shocks/struts would provide.
How does your vehicle score?
The best way to talk about ride control conditions is to show you some examples. Actually all vehicles experience these movements or conditions to some degree. However as more wear occurs, each one finally becomes a control or safety concern. KYB developed a rating system that can be used to discuss various stages of wear.
Conditions Rating Scale
Use this simple guide to compare current conditions to like-new condition or the improvement that new shocks/struts would provide.
How does your vehicle score?
9 Ride Control Conditions:
1. Braking Distance
Panic Stopping: What if the tires can’t grip well? As shocks/struts wear and the tire to road contact becomes less effective, the vehicle can’t stop as well.
Test source RAC (Royal Automotive Club) Test No.996
Test source RAC (Royal Automotive Club) Test No.996
2. Nose Dive
When you apply the brakes, the tires begin stopping but the vehicle body inertia tries to keep going forward. The result thrusts the front end downward and the back end upward. This imbalance puts stress on the front brakes and reduces the rear brake’s efficiency. The effect then makes controlling and steering the vehicle more difficult.
3. Body Roll
During cornering the vehicle body weight tries to lift & roll toward the outside of the turn. Controlling the weight shift or slowing the vehicle speed are the only ways to reduce the effect.
4. Ride Harshness
Small bumps and tire movements are transmitted throughout the vehicle. The ride can feel rough, harsh and noisy. This abrupt action affects both driver comfort and tire performance. The result is traction loss and usually along with that, less vehicle satisfaction.
5. Acceleration Squat
During initial acceleration, like when leaving a stop, the front end rises and the back end lowers. Front end rise is controlled by the rebound damping in the shock. On a front wheel drive vehicle this results in traction loss and reduces steering control.
6. Traction Loss
This can occur during braking, accelerating or cornering. When the tires can’t grip the road, for any reason at all, the result is loss of control: When the tires are bouncing or the vehicle body inertia is lifting or pushing the tires; when the tire tread is worn; when the tires are improperly inflated; or when the shocks and struts aren’t controlling tire and body movements.
7. Bottom-out
Reacting to a bump is normal. But when the tire is allowed to over-react and move upward too aggressively, the travel must be stopped by a cushion or bumper stop. This is an indication that either the vehicle is being operated beyond its normal ability, such as being over-loaded or being driven too harshly. Or it could mean that the shocks are worn and can no longer resist wheel movement adequately.
8. Swerve
Excessive left to right or sideways movements from; wind gusts, road conditions and steering movements. The shock or strut on one side is controlling a compression (or downward) movement while the opposite side is controlling a rebound (upward) movement. Steering corrections are required and can become difficult as the condition worsens.
9. Tire Cupping
When the tire is allowed to move up & down excessively, a rhythmic movement develops and an evenly-spaced wear pattern begins. Unlike tire balance conditions, the wear pattern frequency is greater from shorter tire movements that are not being dampened by worn shocks or struts. As the condition worsens, tire noise occurs along with traction loss and of course… tire damage.
Handy Tips
Absorbing Information About Shock Absorbers
Your tyres show evidence of uneven tread wear.
Your car bottoms out when you ride over bad roads, railroad tracks or other humps.
Put your hands on the bonnet and rock the car several times. Your absorbers need replacement if the rocking continues freely.
Worn Out Shocks Will Cause …
- Excessive shaking on a unpaved road.
- Unstable ride at high speed.
- Excessive pitching action.
- Excessive nose dive and squat during acceleration and braking.
- Longer stopping distance.
- Tyres bouncing on a bumpy road.
- Wear out on the tyre shoulder.
- Bad fuel consumption.
Although how and where you drive is important, replacement
of absorbers is recommended after 50,000km.
of absorbers is recommended after 50,000km.
Your car tends to drift or bounce, or you experience a loss in handling control.
Fluid is leaking from the Shock Absorbers’s seal, which means
it is worn out.
it is worn out.
When should I change to KYB Shock Absorbers ?
Important
- When vehicles show an unstable behaviour upon driving examples such as excessive roll, during cornering, pitching, bouncing, squat, nose dive and so on.
- When the bouncing continue after you push on the bonnet.
- When you hear strange or unfamilier sounds from the shocks, when driving.
- When you find external damage on the shocks such as on the outer casing, rod bending oil leakage, damaged bushes and washers, etc.
- When replacing your worn out tyres.
Important
- Never hold a shaft with a pliers or in a vice as this will damage the Shock Absorbers causing oil leakage.
- Always use a new lock nut upon replacing with new shocks.
- When installing a brake hose, make sure you release the bubbles on all brake hoses.
- Always use a torque wrench when tightening the lock nut.
FAQ
1. Why are shock absorbers important for driving?
Because
proper fitment gives you a safe & comfortable driving condition. Shock absorbers keep tires firmly on the road thereby getting better road grip and control. You should replace shocks periodically and do check for damages
proper fitment gives you a safe & comfortable driving condition. Shock absorbers keep tires firmly on the road thereby getting better road grip and control. You should replace shocks periodically and do check for damages
2. What is vehicle in control?
Vehicle control means being able to stop, turn, and swerve at exactly the moment and in the amount you need. Your shocks and struts react to every wheel and body movement; every bump and every corner.
Shocks and struts keep your vehicle stable and you in control. As they wear, your vehicle begins to dip, sway, bounce, and over-react. That results in reduced braking ability, tire and component wear, and the driver has to work harder to maintain control of the vehicle.
3. Do Shocks and Struts Need To Be Replaced?
Yes! Shocks and struts are maintenance parts. As they wear, their performance decreases. By 50,000 miles most gas or hydraulic shocks and struts no longer provide the handling and control that your vehicle is capable of.
To restore your vehicle’s performance, we recommend this maintenance schedule: Normal service – replace after 50,000 miles. Severe service – replace at or before 50,000 miles.
To restore your vehicle’s performance, we recommend this maintenance schedule: Normal service – replace after 50,000 miles. Severe service – replace at or before 50,000 miles.
4. How do I know if I need to change shocks?
- Leak hydraulic fluid.
- Cause uneven or cupped tire wear.
- Allow tire bouncing or when your car tends to drift or bounce
- Make knocking noises or rattles.
- Create vehicle swaying and require constant steering corrections
- When you experience loss of handling control
- When your car keeps rocking if you push the hood down
5. What are the problems caused by a worn shock absorber?
- Excessive shaking on an unpaved road
- Unstable ride at high speed
- Excessive nosedive during acceleration and braking
- Longer stopping distance
- Tires bouncing on a bumpy road
- Bad fuel consumption
6. What are the benefits of using new shock absorbers?
Everyone wants their vehicle to be responsive, safe, reliable, and to last a long time.
The fact is, if you maintain your vehicle well, it can go past 200,000 miles and will continue to perform as well as it was
designed to. The key to safety and reliability is replacing components as they wear.
Replacing shocks and struts will keep your vehicle riding and handling like new. Restoring performance increases your overall
vehicle satisfaction and helps your vehicle last longer: saving you money and lowering your total cost of ownership.
The fact is, if you maintain your vehicle well, it can go past 200,000 miles and will continue to perform as well as it was
designed to. The key to safety and reliability is replacing components as they wear.
Replacing shocks and struts will keep your vehicle riding and handling like new. Restoring performance increases your overall
vehicle satisfaction and helps your vehicle last longer: saving you money and lowering your total cost of ownership.
7. Can worn shocks and struts cause vehicular accident?
Yes, because Worn Shocks and Struts Increase Stopping Distance. Any shock or strut with 50,000 miles or more is “worn,” and it only takes one worn shock to increase your vehicle’s stopping distance. How? During braking, a worn shock will cause your vehicle’s front end to nose-dive. This makes the back end rise and prevents the tires from keeping a firm grip on the road. The result is poor traction and control, which makes the stopping distance longer – a formula for an accident. New, high quality shocks and struts are designed to help your vehicle make quicker, safer stops under all driving conditions.
8. How long do shock absorbers last?
It is recommended that they should be inspected once a year..
The factors that affect the life of shock absorbers are road condition types, driving habits, loading of the vehicle, tire/wheel modifications and general
mechanical modification condition of the suspension.
Replacement of shock absorber is recommended every 20,000 KM.
The factors that affect the life of shock absorbers are road condition types, driving habits, loading of the vehicle, tire/wheel modifications and general
mechanical modification condition of the suspension.
Replacement of shock absorber is recommended every 20,000 KM.
9. What are signs of a worn out shock absorber?
- Dents on outer casting
- Piston Rod is bended
- Oil leakage
- Damaged bushings and washers
10. What are the advantages of using KYB shock absorbers?
- Excellent constant Damping Control Performance.
- Compression valve self-adjust for fast recovery.
- Less friction and longer life as the result of a hard chromed piston rod.
- Sintered iron piston adds strength.
- Stable Road Grip
- Better comfort on rough roads
11. Can I replace one shock absorber alone?
No you cannot replace one shock absorber alone, always replace shock absorbers all at the same time.
12. What kind of shock absorbers suits my car?
You should use the same type as your original shocks.
If original shocks are OIL = use Oil type (44/63/66 series)
OR
Excel G Twin Tube Gas (34/36/33 Series)
OR
Gas a just Mono tube gas (55 series)
If original shocks are Twin Tube Gas = use Twin Tube Gas (34/36/33series)
OR
Gas a just Mono tube gas (55 series) NOT Oil shocks (44/63/66 series)
If original shocks are Mono tube gas = user mono tube gas (55 series)
No
oil shocks (44/63/66 series)
No
Twin Tube gas (34/33/36 series)
13. Why do I need to change shock absorbers at the same time as springs?
Shock absorbers and coil springs work together keeping the tire in contact with the road. If the coil spring fails it will place extra stress on the shock absorber, therefore to maintain good tire contact with the road, shock absorbers should be replaced at the same time, in axle pairs.
14. What are the best springs to match with shock absorbers?
Genuine or OE matched springs are recommended because the specification is tested by carmakers to get good ride and handling.
15. Can I cut the spring to lower the car?
Cutting the Spring is not advisable because the suspension structure will go off alignment. Spring becomes harder which is not matched with the shock absorber’s damping force.
16. Why does my vehicle still make “clunking noises” even though my shock absorbers are new ?
If noise is present with new shock absorbers, check that the mountings are tightened securely and look for other worn suspension parts. Upper bearing plate need to be inspected and replace if necessary.
17. Can I use other model of Shock Absorbers for my car ?
This is not recommended because difference vehicle have different spec or damping force (performance)of Shock Absorbers.
If original shocks are OIL = use Oil type (44/63/66 series)
OR
Excel G Twin Tube Gas (34/36/33 Series)
OR
Gas a just Mono tube gas (55 series)
If original shocks are Twin Tube Gas = use Twin Tube Gas (34/36/33series)
OR
Gas a just Mono tube gas (55 series) NOT Oil shocks (44/63/66 series)
If original shocks are Mono tube gas = user mono tube gas (55 series)
No
oil shocks (44/63/66 series)
No
Twin Tube gas (34/33/36 series)
13. Why do I need to change shock absorbers at the same time as springs?
Shock absorbers and coil springs work together keeping the tire in contact with the road. If the coil spring fails it will place extra stress on the shock absorber, therefore to maintain good tire contact with the road, shock absorbers should be replaced at the same time, in axle pairs.
14. What are the best springs to match with shock absorbers?
Genuine or OE matched springs are recommended because the specification is tested by carmakers to get good ride and handling.
15. Can I cut the spring to lower the car?
Cutting the Spring is not advisable because the suspension structure will go off alignment. Spring becomes harder which is not matched with the shock absorber’s damping force.
16. Why does my vehicle still make “clunking noises” even though my shock absorbers are new ?
If noise is present with new shock absorbers, check that the mountings are tightened securely and look for other worn suspension parts. Upper bearing plate need to be inspected and replace if necessary.
17. Can I use other model of Shock Absorbers for my car ?
This is not recommended because difference vehicle have different spec or damping force (performance)of Shock Absorbers.
18. Can I check the damping force of the shock absorber by hand testing?
Shock absorbers should not be hand tested
19. How about KYB’s damping force?
KYB’S damping force is always more than genuine shock absorbers
20. How safe are reconditioned shock absorbers?
- No adequate damping force
- May cause vehicular accident
- Less durability makes frequent replacement
21. What kind of controls do KYB use during production?
Everything is controlled concerning both quality and tuning parameters. For quality, KYB tests design specification, component quality, production line quality. For tuning parameters, KYB tests piston orifices, initial load of valves and springs, thickness and quantity of valves, piston ports, nut torque settings.
22. How to store shock absorbers?
Do not store shock absorbers in upright position. Always store them in flat position