United Tire and Service News

Table of Contents

• What Are Shock Absorbers

• How Do Shock Absorbers Work

• Types of Shock Absorbers

• Bad Shock Absorber Signs

  • Vehicle is Unstable at Highway Speeds

  • Tires Bounce Excessively

  • Uneven Tire Wear

  • Front End Dives When Braking

• United Tire Is Here to Help

• Shock Absorbers Q&A

What Are Shock Absorbers?

Shock absorbers - mechanical devices designed to absorb and dampen the shock impulses in a vehicle’s suspension system. 

They control the movement of the vehicle's springs and suspension, ensuring that the tires remain in contact with the road surface by minimizing excessive bouncing.

How Do Shock Absorbers Work?

Shock absorbers work by converting kinetic energy (from the movement of the suspension) into heat energy, which is then dissipated through hydraulic fluid. This process helps:

• provide a smoother ride

• improve vehicle handling

• enhance overall safety by maintaining tire traction during acceleration, braking, and cornering. 

Shock absorbers are essential components in both cars and many other vehicles, as well as in various industrial machines and equipment that require vibration damping.

Types of Shock Absorbers

The most common types of shock absorbers are twin-tube, mono-tube, and gas-pressurized shock absorbers. Twin-tube shock absorbers, widely used in passenger vehicles, consist of an inner and outer tube, where hydraulic fluid moves through valves to control the damping force, providing a smooth ride. 

Mono-tube shock absorbers, found in high-performance vehicles, feature a single tube design with a gas chamber that offers faster response and better heat dissipation, making them ideal for more demanding driving conditions. 

Gas-pressurized shock absorbers, a variation of the twin-tube design, include pressurized gas to prevent fluid foaming, enhancing performance and consistency, particularly during prolonged use. 

Together, these shock absorbers play a crucial role in maintaining vehicle stability, handling, and comfort. Here’s a table summarizing various types of shock absorbers, what they are, and how they work:

 

Type of Shock Absorber	Description	How It Works
Twin-Tube Shock Absorber	A common type with two tubes: an inner cylinder (working tube) and an outer cylinder (reservoir).	The piston moves inside the inner cylinder, displacing fluid through valves to control damping forces.
Mono-Tube Shock Absorber	A single tube design with the working chamber and gas chamber separated by a floating piston.	Fluid moves through the piston, while a high-pressure gas chamber absorbs energy, providing faster response.
Gas-Pressurized Shock Absorber	A type of twin-tube shock absorber that includes pressurized gas in the outer tube.	The gas reduces fluid foaming, improving performance and response, especially under intense or sustained use.
Coilover Shock Absorber	A shock absorber with an integrated coil spring surrounding it, often adjustable.	Combines spring and shock absorption into one unit, allowing for customizable ride height and stiffness.
Air Shock Absorber	Uses compressed air to adjust the stiffness and ride height of the vehicle.	Air pressure is adjusted, changing the vehicle’s height and damping characteristics to suit different loads.
Adjustable Shock Absorber	Allows manual or automatic adjustment of the damping rate.	Features adjustable valves or electronic controls to vary the flow of fluid, enabling tuning of ride quality.
Magnetorheological (MR) Shock Absorber	Uses a fluid with magnetic particles that change viscosity when exposed to a magnetic field.	Magnetic fields are applied to alter the fluid's viscosity, adjusting the damping force almost instantaneously.
Hydraulic Shock Absorber	Uses hydraulic fluid to dampen vibrations, commonly found in older vehicles or heavy machinery.	The fluid passes through small orifices or valves, converting kinetic energy into heat to dissipate shock.

 

Bad Shock Absorber Signs

#1 Your Vehicle is Unstable at Highway Speeds

One symptom of bad shocks is that your vehicle feels unstable when you are driving on the highway. This is certainly not normal if your vehicle's shock absorbers are working normally. You will likely also feel that your vehicle is moving up and down constantly while you are driving. 

However, this instability will still be significant enough for you to notice. If this is the case, then you should get your shock absorbers checked out. Your vehicle should be stable at highway speeds if you have functioning shock absorbers.

 

#2 Your Vehicle's Tires Bounce Excessively

Another tell of bad shocks is if your vehicle's tires bounce more than they should. You can clearly notice this after you hit a curb or pothole. Once that has happened, you can feel that your tires are bouncing or reacting for an extended period of time. It is also possible that you will hear a clunking noise coming from your vehicle, as well. 

It is normal for your vehicle's tires to react a bit when going over a bump — this is to be expected. However, if your vehicle's tires are reacting for longer than they should, it is best that you bring your vehicle in to get your shock absorbers checked out.

 

#3 Your Vehicle Tips to One Side When You Turn

If your shock absorbers have gone bad, your vehicle might tip to one side or the other when it turns. This is one of the most dangerous consequences of bad shock absorbers and most noticeable when your vehicle is going on an off-ramp or taking a sharp turn. 

Your vehicle will also feel a bit shaky, as well. As stated previously, this can really be a major hindrance to safe driving. If you experience this, your shock absorbers are certainly not working as they should. 

 

#4 The Wear on Your Vehicle's Tires Is Unusual

Even wear on your vehicle's tires is perfectly normal. That is a typical result of driving your car on a regular basis. However, if you see that the tread is not wearing down evenly on your vehicle's tires, this could be a sign of faulty shock absorbers.

If this is the case, you will see the tread has worn down in a wavy pattern instead of evenly. This is certainly cause for concer because it means the tire isn't getting held firmly to the road. 

 

#5 Your Vehicle's Front End Dives Too Much During Hard Braking

If the front of your vehicle does dive during hard braking, this could be one of the signs of bad shocks.

It could take some time to recognize this as one of the symptoms of bad shocks. This is because you might not notice it until you have to come to a hard stop. Regardless, you should definitely go in and get your shock absorbers checked if your vehicle's front end dives excessively during braking.

 

United Tire is here to help in the greater Philadelphia area

If your shock absorbers are giving you trouble, you'll want a knowledgeable team to help you out. United Tire locations have operated in and around the greater Philadelphia area for decades. 

Each location is independently owned and operated, so you can ensure that you're trusting your car with a great local business. Don't hesitate to reach out to our team with any needs or questions. You can schedule your next appointment online here. 

 

Shock Absorbers Q&A

 Q: What is the primary function of a shock absorber in a vehicle?

A: The primary function of a shock absorber is to control and dampen the oscillations of the vehicle's suspension system. This ensures that the tires remain in contact with the road surface, providing a smoother ride, improved handling, and enhanced safety.

 

Q: What are the differences between twin-tube and mono-tube shock absorbers?

A: Twin-tube shock absorbers have two cylinders, one inside the other, and are commonly used in standard vehicles for a comfortable ride. Mono-tube shock absorbers have a single cylinder with a gas chamber and are designed for better heat dissipation and faster response, making them ideal for high-performance and off-road vehicles.

 

Q: How do gas-pressurized shock absorbers improve vehicle performance?

A: Gas-pressurized shock absorbers use pressurized gas in addition to hydraulic fluid, which helps to reduce foaming of the fluid. This results in more consistent damping performance, especially during prolonged or intense driving, leading to better vehicle stability and handling.

 

Q: Can shock absorbers affect the ride height of a vehicle?

A: Yes, certain types of shock absorbers, such as coilover and air shock absorbers, can affect ride height. Coilovers allow for adjustable ride height through the spring settings, while air shocks use compressed air to raise or lower the vehicle depending on load conditions.

 

Q: What are the signs that shock absorbers need to be replaced?

A: Common signs that shock absorbers may need replacement include excessive bouncing after hitting a bump, unusual tire wear, leaking fluid from the shock, a rougher ride, and difficulty in handling the vehicle, especially when turning or braking.

 

Related: Why Is My Steering Wheel Shaking?