How to choose shock absorbers for a car. Which shock absorbers are better: gas or oil? Which shock absorbers are better gas or

03.03.2020

Sooner or later, every motorist is faced with a problem - what shock absorbers to replace the used old ones. The domestic shock absorber market is so diverse that it is easy to get confused in the abundance of manufacturers. And driving a car with faulty racks is not only not pleasant, but even risky - the car becomes uncontrollable, does not hold well on the roadway, constantly leads to the side, and the efficiency of the braking system is noticeably reduced.

Yes, and what to do, there used to be conventional hydraulic (oil) shock absorbers, and work colleagues recommend installing modern ones - gas ones. Some domestic motorists prefer to change shock absorbers immediately after buying a new car. How expedient it is, which shock absorbers are better - gas or oil, or maybe there is an alternative to both - today we will figure it out, based on our own driving experience and expert advice.

Why are they even needed...

This opinion is shared by some domestic motorists, arguing that shock absorbers are not needed, the main thing is springs. They, in their opinion, support the body of the car while driving, soften the effect on the car of all road irregularities. Yes, indeed, maintaining the body is the prerogative of the springs, and shock absorbers serve to reduce the amount of vibration of the springs and make them move smoothly. If only springs were installed on a car, then you would feel in the interior of such a car during even a slow movement, like a toy on a spring. In this case, the safety and good adhesion of the car's wheels to the road surface would simply have to be forgotten.

Hydraulic (oil) shock absorbers

Almost all passenger cars are equipped by domestic automakers with hydraulic (oil) shock absorbers. Let me remind you that earlier either friction or band shock absorbers were installed on cars.

Modern hydraulic struts are a double-acting system. It reduces the amplitude of suspension oscillations, both when it is fully compressed, and during its relaxation. This is achieved due to the oil, which, moving from one part of the shock absorber to another, takes on the resistance of the springs, thereby extinguishing their destructive force. The hydraulic shock absorber consists of a working cylinder, a rod with a piston, a compensation chamber, a guide sleeve and a damping fluid - oil.

The main disadvantage hydraulic struts is the presence of an air mixture in the compensation chamber. In the case when there is a low level of air in the chamber or it is absent at all, the effectiveness of the shock absorbers is zero. Otherwise, when there is too much air, the shock absorber will also not cope with its duties - it will simply fail (compress and decompress without resistance).

Also a negative feature of oil shock absorbers is their poor heat dissipation. During a long ride, due to poor cooling conditions, the oil in the shock absorbers overheats, thereby losing its binding properties, which means that the efficiency of the struts also decreases. When driving on poor quality roads, even at low speed, the car body begins to rock a little - this is not at all dangerous, more unpleasant.

It is not recommended to drive fast on bad roads in a car that is equipped with hydraulic struts. Due to the frequent and sharp movement of the piston, an intense field is created on its working surface, which contributes to the formation of cavitation bubbles - in a word, it can cause foaming oil.

In this case, the oil, mixing with air bubbles, turns into an emulsion, which leads to a decrease in the viscosity of the oil, as a result of which the shock absorber generally fails and ceases to cope with its duties.

To the benefits This type of shock absorbers can undoubtedly be attributed to their cost - the most affordable shock absorbers on the market, rather small in size, resistant to external negative factors.

Gas shock absorbers

A few years ago, soft hydraulics were replaced by modern - gas-filled ones. They work harder, but they are more stable and have a longer service life.

Unlike their counterparts, the compensation chamber of these shock absorbers is filled not with ordinary air, but with gas that is pumped into it under very high pressure - up to 28 atmospheres. In addition to this, in order to isolate the gas from the oil, the chamber was separated by a special membrane. The use of this technology has reduced the likelihood of oily liquid foaming to a minimum - after all, the higher the pressure in the oil, the higher its binding properties and its boiling point.

Due to the high pressure, the shock absorber piston is always under pressure. This makes it possible to respond much faster to the shortcomings of domestic roads. Moreover, a single-tube shock absorber, unlike a hydraulic two-tube one, cools better, therefore, it works more stable and copes better with its duties.

Gas-filled shock absorbers are stiffer than oil-filled shock absorbers. Basically, they are equipped with cars of athletes and those motorists for whom a quiet ride is not to their liking.

Another advantage gas shock absorbers is the ability to install them in different directions (both horizontally and vertically, and at different angles of inclination). Recall that hydraulic installation in such positions is strictly prohibited.

To the disadvantages of gas-filled shock absorbers can be attributed to their rather high cost, complexity of production, less comfort and rather large loads on the car body. The latter feature negatively affects the condition of the body, reduces the strength of all metal parts, bearings and ball bearings fail faster.

Gas or oil?

Let's start with the fact that there are no bad and good shock absorbers. It all depends on the professional skills of the driver, the ability to maintain the car, its condition. And a lot depends on the condition of the road surface.

As experienced motorists say, each road has its own shock absorbers.

Each motorist, putting this or that model of shock absorbers, seeks to increase the comfort and controllability of the car. But be that as it may, these two indicators are opposite to each other - improving one of them, we automatically worsen the other. Each car enthusiast has their own driving style and opinion on the level of comfort and stiffness of the suspension - the level of suspension stiffness that suits one driver may cause resentment in another.

Therefore, if familiar motorists stubbornly advise certain shock absorbers, saying that gas-filled struts are better than oil ones, you should not agree with them. Yes, indeed, they do a good job of their duties, but gas shock absorbers can show their advantages only during sports competitions. Looking at the driving style of "ordinary" motorists and the condition of our roads - hydraulic shock absorbers are what you need.

On the side of hydraulics is their cost- oil shock absorbers are an order of magnitude lower than gas-filled ones. As for gas shock absorbers, on their side, of course, the best level of control.

Imagine a picture - you eat and in front of your car, a pedestrian crosses the road. You, of course, slow down - the car stops a few centimeters from it. If your car had hydraulic struts, then the pedestrian was now somewhere in the area of \u200b\u200bthe rear axle. Unlike hydraulics, cars with gas-filled shock absorbers have shorter stopping distances. You should not put gas shock absorbers on old cars, in particular on domestic models - a year of driving on such shock absorbers will completely destroy it.

So the choice is yours!

Which shock absorbers are better and more reliable to put on your car - gas, oil or gas-oil. Now you can pick up almost any type, but which ones are more comfortable?

DEFINITELY OIL AND A COOL COMPANY .. DOES NOT KEEP MY GAS OIL ... ALREADY TRIED EVERYTHING SET THE ORIGINAL .. AS THE BOOK WRITES

The oil shock absorber works hard to decompress. It slips in very easily!

wouldn't it be easier to put stiff springs with oil struts.

Thanks for the clear explanation, very helpful info! Of course like it.

The best is oil on our roads to fly holes on the pavement.

You lower the car and roll much less than all the manipulations with springs and dampers, and the car remains as soft, and if you increase the wheel diameter in addition, you will generally be like in a game of twist metal between two wheels, you will generally drive, THIS IS WHY PEOPLE LOVE Infiniti fx35 , she gives it all from the factory, she has 20 wheels from the factory, everything is calculated, the engine, hodovka and gearbox and, accordingly, the body, since the base is located between two huge wheels. And it is also nice that you are not sitting on the floor, but high.

mine have already passed 240 thousand and live-original wv.

And if the rear gas oil. You can put oil on the front. Thanks in advance

You are well done. Everything is so short and detailed.)

What are the best springs to use? tof dog or emu. would you answer? what should you look at? Thanks in advance!

Hello, can you tell me what is better to put on Pajero 4? I'm advised to buy amory old man emo sport! or a professional finder with tof dog springs! the profiler seems to be two-pipe)))))

Thanks, I think oil is suitable for Lanos. Thanks to the author

the piston does not press on the lower piston))) where does such information come from?))

Which shock absorbers are best for light trailers with spring suspension?

Hello. Why do front shock absorbers knock when unclenched in pits?

There are also self-leveling shock absorbers - and here they are really “golden” - their comfort and price are higher than all three in the video. These I skated from the factory 230 thousand km. The gas pressure inside them is about 150 atm. That is why they are twice as heavy as ordinary gas ones. If it were not for the dead anthers and the absence of their replacement, they would still work. And so the stock standing at their bottom gradually killed the seals from dust and lost their elasticity. One drip and replaced with gas oil.

explain what he is talking about rolls from the 3rd minute?)

In Russia, there is no expensive for gas-oil shock absorbers, and even more so for gas ones)

SO WHICH ARE MORE DURABLE AND RELIABLE.

what about hydropneumatic?

Good video. Inspires confidence

YOUNG GUY EXPLAINED CLEARLY.

the best review I've ever seen!

Renault Logan has gas-oil shock absorbers and works effectively. I vote for them!

Thank you for the video. Everything is very detailed, competent and intelligible.

gas shock absorbers are on the trunk lids of hatches and station wagons.

Thank you, it's useful! Only correctly write and speak valves and gas-oil shock absorbers

A car is, first of all, wheels, it’s not just that people call cars like that, wheels (get wheels). This is the main fulcrum of the car, and shock absorbers are the damping element between the body and the wheels. Of course, no one detracts from the role of a spring or springs, but springs can only work in one direction. The spring is not able to quickly extinguish the vibrations that occur when driving on rough roads. The spring is complemented by a shock absorber, which is an integral part of the suspension, working in the opposite direction. It is he who dampens the vibrations and pitching of the body.

Which shock absorbers to choose

What are shock absorbers

To date, two types can be distinguished:

Oil shock absorbers (working medium oil);
Gas shock absorbers (working medium gas and oil).

The standard placement of shock absorbers in a car is one per wheel. Sometimes they install two per wheel. A shock absorber is a cylinder containing a piston and a valve system. When the shock absorber is compressed, the medium (oil or gas) freely passes through the piston, while stretching, the valve does not give maximum flow, holding back the rapid expansion of the shock absorber. With the help of various air chambers, valves and cylinders, the shock absorber dampens all the pitching and vibrations, ensuring a smooth ride of the car.

What is the difference between gas and oil shock absorbers

How are shock absorbers different?

In a gas shock absorber, the chambers are not air, they contain gas. The key difference is the variable compression stiffness (it increases), which is completely unusual for a liquid medium. However, one hundred percent of gas shock absorbers simply do not exist, they have a mixed environment - oil, gas, hence the name unofficial gas-oil.

Oil vibration damping devices are more rigid, since there is only one working medium in the shock absorber - oil. And since liquids are very poorly compressible, the corresponding stroke characteristics are obtained. In gas shock absorbers, the working medium is double, and it is easily compressible. Gas devices are more adaptable to changing road conditions. The gas-oil shock absorber absorbs small irregularities very gently, but when the rod movements become significant, the device increases rigidity. This (wide operating range) is one of the main advantages of gas shock absorbers. By and large, it all depends on the correct setting of the valves, the selection of the volume of the chambers, and other design features.

Which shock absorbers are better

So which ones to choose?

The best choice will be those shock absorbers that are recommended by the manufacturer of your car. Replacing them with devices with significantly different performance characteristics will adversely affect the operation of the car. Automakers are well aware of the properties and features of various shock absorbers. They scrupulously calculate the suspension of their cars down to microns, the smallest details. Therefore, for a comfortable and safe ride, it is better to use regular shock absorbers. According to the characteristics for any brand and model, you can choose the appropriate option for both types.

If you mainly drive on a flat road, highway, then your choice is stiffer shock absorbers, but if the car is operated on bumpy surfaces, then you should choose softer options. The original shock absorber can last up to 60 thousand mileage, oil shock absorbers are more reliable, since their design is simpler. At a cost, gas shock absorbers are somewhat more expensive, twenty percent.

Which shock absorbers are better oil, gas or gas-oil

Shock absorbers are one of the main components of a car's suspension. They provide smooth movement on rough roads and do not allow excessive rocking of the car.

In total, there are three main types of shock absorbers for passenger cars, these are oil, gas and gas-oil shock absorbers. In this article, we will talk about how they work, their pros and cons, as well as which shock absorbers are best for urban and suburban use.

What are oil shock absorbers

Double tube oil shock absorber.

Oil (liquid, hydraulic) shock absorbers are used on passenger cars in more than half of the cases. They are arranged quite simply: there is a cylindrical chamber filled with oil, and a piston with small through holes runs in it, dividing the chamber into two parts. When hitting a bump, the shock absorber is compressed - oil flows through the holes in the piston from one part of the chamber to another. This is a relatively slow process, whereby the oil smooths out the vibrations and softens the impact.

they are quite simple to manufacture, therefore, as a rule, they are significantly cheaper than other types;
they can be repaired without any problems in case of malfunctions or even restored in a very worn condition;
provide good softness of movement due to high compliance - they can be squeezed with bare hands;
in general, their dimensions are much smaller than those of gas shock absorbers.

high softness turns into excessive buildup of the body and instability in corners, especially at high speed;
while driving, the oil heats up and fills with air bubbles, which makes the shock absorbers even more pliable;
at low temperatures, the oil thickens, as a result, the suspension becomes stiff;
oil shock absorbers cannot boast of special durability, they are sensitive to the slightest deformations.

What are gas shock absorbers

Single tube gas shock absorber.

What they call gas shock absorbers are actually the same hydraulic, oil shock absorbers, only with the addition of an air chamber. There are no shock absorbers that use only gas. At least in the mass industry aimed at passenger cars. In fact, any gas shock absorber is gas-oil. But for convenience, they are divided into two separate types, because they are arranged differently.

There is nothing complicated in the design of gas shock absorbers either - almost everything is the same as in liquid shock absorbers, only one more chamber with highly compressed gas is added, usually nitrogen. It turns out that when squeezing, energy is absorbed not only and not even so much by oil, but by this very compressed gas.

they are usually very rigid, due to which they give the car excellent stability and controllability;
they tolerate heat or low temperatures much more easily, without losing their performance properties so much;
they can unclench themselves and generally react faster to changes in the level of the roadway;
more durable than purely hydraulic shock absorbers by 30-50 percent.

due to the highest rigidity, it can be problematic to use them even in the city - the slightest unevenness is clearly felt;
transmitting all the vibrations to the body, such shock absorbers wear out it and interior parts more, generate a lot of noise;
on rough roads, they contribute to the rapid wear of the suspension;
their cost is significantly higher than that of oil shock absorbers.

Read also: What are coilovers and how do they work.

What are gas-oil shock absorbers

As mentioned above, gas and gas-oil shock absorbers are essentially the same thing, the only difference is in the design. The gas-oil shock absorber uses two chambers, a cylinder within a cylinder. When compressed, the oil flows from the inner chamber to the outer one, where it rests against a partition, behind which there is a gas chamber. This achieves some compromise between the features of a gas and oil shock absorber.

The advantages and disadvantages of gas-oil shock absorbers are identical to those of oil and gas shock absorbers, the only difference is that they are much less pronounced in gas-oil shock absorbers:

nitrogen pressure is several times less than in gas ones, due to which they are much softer, but at the same time harder than oil ones;
the price of gas-oil shock absorbers is most often something in between - cheaper than gas shock absorbers, more expensive than hydraulic ones;
are subject to performance degradation due to temperature changes, although to a lesser extent than completely oil shock absorbers.

Read also: What is air suspension, its device and principle of operation.

Which shock absorbers are better and in what cases

If we are talking about using a car according to the most popular scenario such as "80% city and 20% country trips", then gas-oil shock absorbers are the golden mean. They provide good stability and control, and at the same time people in the car do not feel like riding a cart on a washboard. Nitrogen keeps the oil from boiling and gassing, so this design is quite hardy for rough roads and long trips.

Oil shock absorbers are especially good in poor road conditions or complete off-road conditions. That is, this is an unequivocal choice of people who live outside the city. Another argument in favor of this choice is the low price. Even against the background of a slightly shorter service life, this is a very profitable purchase.

And gas shock absorbers are the choice of uncompromising car owners who live in big cities with good roads and want to get maximum dynamics and controllability. Most often, such models are put on sports cars or tuned cars. Driving with high-quality gas shock absorbers is really like driving a sports car - the car is sensitive to the steering wheel and practically does not roll in corners.

There is also a “limited tuning” option, when gas shock absorbers are placed on the front wheels for better handling, and gas-oil shock absorbers on the rear wheels for greater softness. But the meaning of this mixing is rather doubtful, because the stiff front end perfectly transfers all the bumps to the cabin, and the softer rear dampers do little to improve the situation.

Read also: What is MacPherson, how it works and how it works.

Gas or oil - choose racks

Yes, and what to do, there used to be conventional hydraulic (oil) shock absorbers, and work colleagues recommend installing modern ones - gas ones. Some domestic motorists prefer to change shock absorbers immediately after buying a new car. How expedient it is, which shock absorbers are better - gas or oil, or maybe there is an alternative to both - today we will figure it out with you, based on our own driving experience and expert advice.

Why are they needed at all?

Hydraulic (oil) shock absorbers

Almost all passenger cars are equipped by domestic automakers with hydraulic (oil) shock absorbers. Let me remind you that earlier either friction or band shock absorbers were installed on cars.

Also a negative feature of oil shock absorbers is their poor heat dissipation. During a long ride, due to poor cooling conditions, the oil in the shock absorbers overheats, thereby losing its binding properties, which means that the efficiency of the struts also decreases. When driving on poor quality roads, even at low speed, the car body begins to sway a little - this is not at all dangerous, more unpleasant.

Gas shock absorbers

A few years ago, soft hydraulics were replaced by modern gas-filled ones. They work harder, but they are more stable and have a longer service life.

Gas-filled shock absorbers are stiffer than oil-filled shock absorbers. Basically, they are equipped with cars of athletes and those motorists for whom a quiet ride is not to their liking.

Gas or oil?

As experienced motorists say, each road has its own shock absorbers.

Each motorist, putting this or that model of shock absorbers, seeks to increase the comfort and controllability of the car. But be that as it may, these two indicators are opposite to each other - by improving one of them, we automatically worsen the other. Each car enthusiast has their own driving style and opinion on the level of comfort and stiffness of the suspension - the level of suspension stiffness that suits one driver may cause resentment in another.

Therefore, if familiar motorists stubbornly advise certain shock absorbers, saying that gas-filled struts are better than oil ones, you should not agree with them. Yes, indeed, they do a good job of their duties, but gas shock absorbers can show their advantages only during sports competitions. Looking at the driving style of “ordinary” motorists and the condition of our roads, hydraulic shock absorbers are what you need.

On the side of hydraulics is their cost— oil shock absorbers are an order of magnitude lower than gas-filled. As for gas shock absorbers, on their side, of course, the best level of control.

The article was written based on the materials of the sites: autowestnik.ru, avtonov.com, www.avtobeginner.ru.

The shock absorber is an indispensable part of the suspension of a modern car. Without it, the operation of the machine in conditions of constant vertical swing will be impossible.

Shock absorbers reduce the vibration frequency of the springs that support the car body and make it move more smoothly over uneven roads.

To date, the shock absorber market is represented by the widest range of products, so the question of which shock absorbers are the most reliable and safe - hydraulic or gas - does not lose its relevance. Each type of shock absorber has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.

Hydraulic shock absorbers perform the function of significantly reducing the amplitude of suspension oscillations during compression or relaxation. The hydraulic shock absorber consists of a working cylinder, a compensation chamber, a rod with a piston, a guide sleeve and a damping fluid - oil. The effect of vibration damping is achieved due to the oil, which, moving from one part of the shock absorber to another, takes on the resistance of the springs, thereby extinguishing their destructive force.

Disadvantages of hydraulic shock absorbers:

Low heat dissipation: during prolonged driving, the oily fluid in the shock absorber can overheat and lose its cohesive properties, resulting in loss of efficiency.
Low efficiency when operating a car on rough roads with frequent sudden movement of the piston, the oil mixes with air bubbles, its viscosity decreases, which negatively affects the operation of the shock absorber and can damage it

The main advantages of hydraulic shock absorbers are their affordable price and small size.

Gas-filled shock absorbers differ from hydraulic ones in that the compensation chamber in them is filled with gas, which is pumped there under high pressure. This is the reason for the significant advantage of gas shock absorbers over oil shock absorbers - high pressure forces the piston to always be in a preloaded state, due to which, when overcoming road irregularities, the shock absorber stiffness changes non-linearly, thereby providing better vehicle controllability.

When choosing a shock absorber, you can be guided by different criteria, the operating conditions of the car, driving style, views on the level of rigidity and comfort.

The serviceability of any shock absorber must be monitored, because in the event of its failure, the quality of adhesion of the car's tires to the roadway deteriorates significantly, which reduces its stability and controllability when driving on uneven roads, in corners, and also increases the braking distance. In addition, the wear of all suspension parts and brake mechanisms is accelerated.

In order to avoid negative consequences, faulty shock absorbers must be replaced or repaired.

To extend the life of the rubber shock absorber seals, it is recommended to treat with a silicone oil-based compound. This lubricant prevents rubber from drying out and cracking and is resistant to water and most chemicals.

EFELE materials are effectively used for mounting / dismounting shock absorbers.

For example, universal grease is ideal for dismantling shock absorbers.
. This agent forms a stable moisture-repellent film on the surfaces, perfectly displaces water. EFELE UNI-M SPRAY universal grease is a dispersion of solid lubricants in mineral oil. It has high penetrating properties and softens rust well, which greatly facilitates dismantling. At the same time, EFELE UNI-M SPRAY has good lubricating properties, which protects shock absorbers from wear.

EFELE UNI-M Spray universal grease combines properties that other universal greases cannot combine. On the one hand, it easily penetrates to the most inaccessible nodes, on the other hand, it does not flow out of the friction zone.

The bearing capacity and anti-wear properties of EFELE UNI-M Spray universal grease are enhanced by the introduction of solid anti-friction fillers into its composition. The presence of corrosion inhibitors provides dispersions with excellent anti-corrosion properties.

A shock absorber is a mandatory and extremely important component in the suspension of any vehicle, without which it is almost impossible to imagine a controlled ride. Its main purpose is to reduce the number of "reductions" in the springs that support the body, and make the movement of the car over any obstacles smoother and softer.

Despite their sufficient range available on the market today, the question of which shock absorbers is better is still relevant for most car owners. All existing types are divided into two main groups - oil (hydraulic) and gas, or gas-filled. The question of which shock absorbers is better - gas or oil, is asked by almost any motorist when the time comes to "reinstall" them.

What is a shock absorber for?

Any shock absorber, regardless of design, is located between the body and the suspension and acts as a damper. Despite the presence of springs or springs, "alone" they are not able to quickly and effectively dampen the vibrations and shaking that occur during the movement of the car. The reason for this is the one-way orientation of the springs. The installed shock absorber works in the opposite direction to the spring, which ensures the effective operation of the entire suspension.

Any of them, structurally, is a cylinder, inside of which a piston is located, equipped with check valves of various sections. Thus, the necessary mode of operation of the device is achieved - good and smooth compression of the shock absorber and its difficult stretching. Depending on the type of device, the damping chambers can be filled with gas or oil, and it is they who are responsible for the smooth movement of the car over various irregularities, damping strong body vibrations.

Oil shock absorbers - design flaws

Most new cars are equipped with oil shock absorbers. Their design consists of the cylinder itself, the piston moving along the guide bushing and the working fluid - a special oil. All vibrations that occur when the car is moving and that have a destructive effect on the springs are damped due to the resistance of the oil compressed by the piston. The simplicity and sufficient reliability of the device made them the most common on the market. However, before choosing this type of device, it is worth knowing about the existing shortcomings.

According to auto experts, the main negative point that prevents maximum efficiency in work is the presence of air inside the device. In the event that its insufficient or excessive content is noted, the operation of the device becomes defective. Such a shock absorber is easily compressed and unclenched from a relatively small effort, which will certainly affect the handling of the car and the comfort of being in it.

The undoubted disadvantage of oil samples was their extremely low heat transfer, which provokes their rapid overheating when the car is moving. Prolonged use of such shock absorbers causes the oil to lose its original properties due to constant heating. As a result, the initial softness of the ride is quite noticeably lost, which inevitably affects the functioning of the entire chassis of the car. This is especially noticeable in the summer.

When wondering which shock absorber to choose - gas or oil, it must be taken into account that the latter has one feature that manifests itself when driving on broken, poor-quality roads. The frequent stroke of the piston provokes foaming of the oil in the shock absorber and the loss of the required viscosity. The result of this will inevitably be felt not only by passengers in the cabin, but also by springs working with an increased load, for which they are simply not designed. As a result, the likelihood of accidents increases, there are violations in the operation of the brake system and premature wear of rubber.

Advantages of hydraulic shock absorbers

Despite a sufficient number of negative points, the use of oil shock absorbers also has certain advantages, of which the affordable cost is not in last place. In addition, a lot depends on the driving style. The more aggressive the driving style, the faster not only the shock absorbers wear out, but also the rest of the suspension elements. The high-speed overcoming of various obstacles, especially deep pits, is especially harmful to the chassis.

Oil shock absorbers can last much longer with basic maintenance, which is often simply not there. For example, periodic checks of the condition of the chassis at the service will help to avoid subsequent and costly repairs. Yes, and periodic treatment of seals on shock absorbers with inexpensive silicone grease will also increase their service life. The brand also matters - as practice shows, shock absorbers of well-known brands are much more successful than cheap ones, on the occasion of purchased mechanisms.

Gas models - ideal for bad roads

Gas shock absorbers are much better adapted to constant use in off-road and aggressive driving. This is due to the fact that instead of oil, they use a special gas as a working mixture, which is introduced into the inside of the device under very high pressure. This ensures that the piston is constantly in a preloaded position. An important point can be considered that when driving on uneven surfaces, the change in the stiffness of the shock absorber is non-linear, which has a great effect on the controllability of the car.

In addition, it is worth noting the following advantages from the installation of gas systems:

a sufficient degree of rigidity ensures safer movement at high speeds, minimizing the degree of longitudinal swing;
the load on the remaining elements of the chassis is reduced;
less tire wear, even when driving at high speeds;
noticeable reduction in fuel consumption.

Despite a significant number of advantages, the question of which is better - a gas shock absorber or an oil shock absorber, does not imply a simple and quick answer. Installation of gas samples will undoubtedly cost several times more. The operation of a vehicle with such shock absorbers is characterized by a large impact of shock loads on the body, primarily on bearings and ball bearings - the high rigidity of these devices affects.

A frequent difficulty for the car owner is the choice - which company's shock absorbers are better to buy. This is an important point, and gas samples of well-known brands, despite the higher cost, are still more preferable.

Which shock absorbers are better oil or gas-oil

Many car owners believe that a gas-oil shock absorber is a third, separate type of device. In fact, this is the same gas. It is impossible to create a device with an exclusively gaseous medium. Gas models are, in fact, mixed media devices in which both gas and oil are present. Based on the technical characteristics, oil types should be more rigid, since the compensation fluid is practically not compressible. In practice, everything turns out to be exactly the opposite.

It's all about the factory settings of the device itself, its size and other design features. Before choosing shock absorbers for a car, you should familiarize yourself with the recommendations of the manufacturer of a particular vehicle. This is due to the fact that the suspension of the car is carefully calculated, and standard shock absorbers fully comply with all the necessary requirements for a particular modification of the car.

The installation of any even the most expensive mechanism with other characteristics, as a rule, leads to an increase in the load on the chassis. If it is necessary to replace standard devices, you should purchase models with identical or similar characteristics, and which shock absorber is better - oil or gas-oil, is up to the owner of the car to decide. If the car is used more off-road, you can install softer samples, but if the car is used on good surfaces, it is acceptable to install more rigid models.

Replacing shock absorbers - is it really necessary?

Naturally, new devices have a factory warranty. In order not to lose the opportunity to use it, they should be purchased in well-known stores, and the purchase process should be accompanied by a verification of certificates - regardless of which company's shock absorbers are purchased. In addition, they change in pairs, the only way to save the right to exchange a low-quality product.

According to statistics, about 45% of cars require replacement of shock absorbers. At the same time, gas models should not be preferred if the car is not new - over time, the body loses its original rigidity, and the installation of gas systems is impractical due to their greater rigidity. High-quality models, both oil and gas, have an average resource of about 60,000 km. True, a lot depends on the driving style and the degree of maintenance of the car as a whole. Thus, the best shock absorbers are those that meet the manufacturer's recommendations, the nature of driving and the roads that you have to travel on a daily basis.

It is hard to imagine how the car would drive and what sensations the driver and passengers in the cabin would experience if the vehicle were not equipped with special devices that could extinguish, or at least minimize the oscillatory movements transmitted by springs, springs, torsion bars. For this purpose, shock absorbers are used, quite rightly they are considered one of the most important elements of an automobile suspension, they are designed to eliminate vertical swaying of the body.

To choose the best shock absorbers for your car, it is advisable to first familiarize yourself with manufacturers that are recognized all over the world.

Koni

Shock absorbers are the only product manufactured by the Dutch company. The main difference is the adjustability of the characteristics of the models, and there is a difference of 100% between the zero and maximum adjustment positions, i.e. there is a real possibility of adapting the device to any type of road, any car model and driving style.

The range of the company is 2500 different models, differing in design schemes. Their cost on the market is the highest, as well as reliability, there is a chance that they will fail along with the car.

Bilstein

They are installed by manufacturers on cars Lamborghini, Jaguars, Ferrari, which is already evidence of the highest quality.

The most popular models Bilstein Sport, Bilstein Sprint, Bilstein Rally are designed for high-speed, sports cars, they are chosen by fans to show a driving master class. There were no complaints about the quality of Bilstein products.

Kayaba

The products of the Japanese company Kayaba are preferred by world-famous car manufacturers: Renault, Ford, Seat, Peugeot. Kayaba shock absorbers won the sympathy of drivers with affordable cost and quality that meets international standards.

Among the most popular are gas-hydraulic Ultra SR models with high damping characteristics, stabilizing grip on the track surface, with good handling characteristics when using low-profile tires, in the absence of attenuation. This is preferred by lovers of hard driving style.

BOGE

The main consumers of the products of the German company are the leading European concerns that produce cars BMW, Volkswagen, Volvo, Alfa Romeo, Audi.

The price policy of the manufacturer of shock absorbers is quite affordable for owners who really care about the technical condition of their cars. Installed on a foreign car, BOGE shock absorbers do not adversely affect suspension performance.

Most in demand:

Boge Pro-gas, gas-filled, for a comfortable ride
Boge Turbo24, single-pipe, allowing you to ride in off-road conditions on an all-wheel drive car
Boge Turbo-gas, for sports cars
Boge Nivomat, maintaining optimal ground clearance even with a significant load on the body

Monroe

The Belgian company is a manufacturer of shock absorbers known throughout the world.

Accurate and instantaneous response is provided by the original design of gas models, it also allows:

easy to adapt to riding in different, even difficult conditions,
control comfort,
adequate vehicle behavior during complex maneuvers at speed

The American company enjoys the best recommendations not only at home, but throughout the world.

A particularly popular product series is Reflex, whose models guarantee maximum contact with the road surface.

TOKICO (HITACHI)

The Japanese company manufactures damper devices for the automotive industry in the United States and Japan. The products are of high quality, with a long service life, the cost is low - the prerequisites are sufficient for popularity.

But when buying, you should be wary of Chinese fakes, there are a lot of them on the domestic market, it is quite difficult to distinguish visually from the original.

It manufactures brake systems, hydraulics and pneumatic equipment for cars, shock absorbers. It has been successfully operating on the market for about 80 years, occupying a leading position. A special merit of the company is the development of a two-tube gas model of a low pressure shock absorber, which has advanced the entire industry as a whole.

Since 2005, TOKICO began to work as part of the HITACHI concern, its products are used in the assembly of sports motorcycles, as one of the most reliable in the world.

SACHS

The German manufacturer specializes in the manufacture of clutches and shock absorbers, the products are universal, high-quality and reliable. Today the company pays more attention to the production of pendants.

The most popular modifications:

Super Touring - for a comfortable ride on a car of various types
SACHS Advantage - for a sporty driving style, for a comfortable ride on the roadway of any complexity

KYB

In a relatively short period of existence (about 20 years), the Japanese company managed to gain trust and popularity; Mazda, Toyota, Honda cars are equipped with its products.

Al-KO

The company's products continue to delight motorists with inexpensive but high-quality products for four decades.

Dampers from Al-KO are installed on expensive motorcycles and cars, for the most part they are oil, they are preferred by owners of used vehicles.

DELCO

Manufactured in the USA, mostly used by American vehicle manufacturers. It is almost impossible to meet them on open sale, the main consumers of DELCO products are auto assembly shops.

However, DELCO shock absorbers are well known and highly recommended for their reliability. In off-road conditions, it is irrational to use.

Shock absorber, principle of operation, where installed

And now let's continue talking about shock absorbers, clarify on what principle they work and continue the topic of how to make the right choice of device for your car.

The shock absorber is a damping device that dampens vibrations, absorbs shocks and shocks of moving structural elements (suspension, wheels), body. The action is based on the process of absorbing the mechanical energy of oscillatory movements and converting it into thermal energy.

The interaction of the part with springs, pillows, torsion bars, springs allows you to dampen the free movements of large masses and prevent relatively high speeds of smaller masses associated with elastic elements.

The wheels of the car must be able to move freely up and down relative to the body. The mass of the body must be distributed to the suspension springs, to keep them compressed to a certain extent.

Fulfillment of these conditions will allow maintaining contact between the tire and the road surface, regardless of what will be under the wheel - a bulge or a depression. If shock absorbers are removed from the structure, constant contact will not be possible due to the oscillation of the springs.

For example, a driver can feel a malfunction of a damper device even when driving at a speed of 30 km per hour:
wheels bounce from the slightest bumps
vehicle control is deteriorating

One of the important points is the location of the part. The most efficient operation will ensure the minimum distance of their installation site from the wheel.

Experts emphasize that shock absorbers must be installed strictly vertically, i.e. perpendicular to the suspension plane. Even with minimal deflection, the damping efficiency will decrease.

It is extremely harmful to hold the opinion that this device is simple in principle of operation and primitive in design. In fact, the correct installation of the node and ensuring its excellent operation is a rather complicated science, requiring multifaceted knowledge in the field of physics and mechanics.

What do the main indicators of shock absorbers mean?

Like any other vehicle component, the shock absorber has certain performance characteristics. They play a significant role in the process of driving a car, its obedience to driving, on the comfort of the trip and its safety.

braking distances

The operation of the damping device affects the speed of acceleration and deceleration of the car. If we consider the state of the car at the start, it turns out that when accelerating, the load on the rear wheels first of all increases and decreases on the front wheels, i.e. reduces the strength of their adhesion to the road surface. Braking is accompanied by opposite loads. Ideally, in both situations, the body should maintain its natural horizontal position.

Efforts will be directed precisely at stabilizing the position of the body. But dampers different in design and type of filler will work differently, at different speeds.

For clarity, we can give an example: at a distance of ten meters in front of the car, an obstacle suddenly appears (a cat, a dog jumped onto the road, a person suddenly fell across the road, and little else can happen).

If the car is equipped with oil models, it is unlikely that it will be possible to avoid a tragic outcome. Gas-filled devices will significantly reduce the braking distance. The accident will end safely, and the driver will be able to boast of his experience and excellent reaction.

But even taking into account such reasoning, experts do not recommend installing gas-filled models on used, especially domestic cars - destructive processes in such cars are immediately activated.

the ability of a shock absorber to dampen vibrations on rough roads

We have already mentioned that the most important requirement for shock absorbers is the ability to dampen body vibrations while driving. Those. A high-quality shock absorber should ensure constant contact between the road surface and the wheel surface, this will prevent the possibility of losing control of the car.

In the event of a serious difference in the height of the road surface (bumps or dents), the wheel should go around it as gently and quickly as possible, clearly returning to contact with the road surface.

Since oil-filled devices are slower, it will be difficult for them to provide full vibration damping on poor quality roads. Off-road driving with such cars should be avoided, trips on bad roads are fraught not only with discomfort, but also with rapid wear of shock absorbers.

shock absorber stiffness, how it behaves in tight corners

The situation with the displacement of loads, but only on the sides of the car, will occur during the execution of maneuvers by the car, for example, when passing a sharp turn.

Stiffer, gas-filled devices are capable of faster response, with increasing pressure inside the shock absorber, the response speed increases. They give rigidity to the suspension, at high speeds this is expressed by a decrease in body vibrations.

The same is true when making a sharp turn - a hard and fast-acting shock absorber will have time to compensate for the resulting loads and passengers will feel them to a lesser extent.

The installation of such high-speed damping devices is carried out on high-speed cars, such as sports, all-wheel drive and off-road vehicles.

Among the best representatives are the MonoMax series with increased strength and pressure and the adjustable Kayaba - AGX models.

Shock absorbers and working substance

If we take into account the type of working filler, then all models are usually divided into:

gas
oil
gas-oil

If the answer is subjected to a logical analysis, then it will change somewhat, because oils and gases are used as a working substance in shock absorbers.

The cases of gas models are filled with inert gases, more often with nitrogen. It is pumped under a pressure of 2 - 3 atmospheres. The working space of oil-powered models is filled with hydraulic oils and air.

Dampers and number of pipes

In accordance with the design features, shock absorbers are divided into several types: single-tube and double-tube.

oil shock absorbers pros and cons

Let's start with the simplest option - hydraulic two-pipe. Its cost is not high, but it does not differ in stability of work.

This type is distinguished by the location of the working cylinder inside the housing. The body is a cylinder filled with some oil. Working in compression, the piston located inside the cylinder moves down, displacing the oil filler through the valve.

The air at the top of the cylinder is compressed. When the piston rebounds, it makes a reverse movement, the oil returns from the body through the return valve, passes into the working part of the cylinder.

The design and principle of its operation are quite simple, but simplicity does not always guarantee sufficient efficiency - in the process of repaying one energy, another is formed, the compensation of spring vibrations is accompanied by the release of thermal energy, which leads to heating of the oil and a change in its viscosity parameters.

Oil heating is fast and cooling slow, heating and constant oil movement with air access often cause foaming. There are no methods to combat this phenomenon. Sometimes they try to get rid of the problem by filling a new shock absorber "to the eyeballs", i.e. up to maximum occupancy.

But such actions will not lead to anything good, the oil will still look for a way out, as a result, the shock absorber will most likely fail. It turns out that aeration is an incurable disease of oil shock absorbers.

gas shock absorbers pros and cons

gas single pipe

This type is distinguished by a special design that provides for complete isolation of the oil from the gas filler.

These models are made up of:

corps
stock
piston connected to the rod and equipped with reverse and forward stroke valves
float piston that separates gas from oil

Of the significant differences, the absence of a working chamber should be mentioned, the body acts as its role. Separation into chambers occurs with the help of a float piston.

The lower part of the body is filled with nitrogen under high pressure. In the upper part there is oil, it is in it that the piston moves with the rod.

Since there is no working chamber in the design, the direct stroke valve is located directly near the rebound valve, on the piston.

The design of single-tube models has allowed to increase the volume of gas and oil, while the size of the shock absorber has not changed. Such design improvements saved the device from heating. Exclusion of contact between gas and oil prevents the aeration process, i.e. foaming oil.

Among the shortcomings of such models should be noted:

change in hardness depending on the temperature of the gas,
an increase in temperature increases the rigidity of the suspension
an accidentally formed dent in the body will cause the shock absorber to jam, i.e. he will fail, fortunately, such precedents do not happen often.

gas-oil shock absorbers, pros and cons

Representatives of this species are known as gas-oil. Their design is similar to that of hydraulic models. The difference is that the cavity is filled with gas, usually nitrogen is used.

The gas accumulates pressure and prevents the oil from foaming. But it was also not possible to get rid of the heating problem in this way.

When buying a gas-filled shock absorber, it differs from a hydraulic shock absorber in terms of the stem - gas pressure tends to squeeze it out.

changelings

You should also remember about the shock absorber of a special design, the so-called. changeling. It differs in that it is installed upside down. If conventional shock absorbers are characterized by the direction of the stem strut upwards, then here the stem is directed downwards, its fastening is made to the strut body.

The pseudo-rod has a large thickness, is located on top. Such a device works due to the presence of several plain bearings. Among the advantages of the design, a significant reduction in the vertical and lateral load on the rack should be noted.

Riding style, how it affects the choice of shock absorber

Given the fact that different types of shock absorbers have slightly different characteristics, the choice should take into account the driving style that the motorist prefers.

If the plans include a quiet movement, then you should not bother too much - oil shock absorbers will be enough. Although there is an opinion that such models serve less, no official confirmation of this version has been received.

If the driver prefers an aggressive, sporty style, then it is best to give preference to models from special series, such shock absorbers are distinguished by an increase in compression and rebound forces.

This improvement allows you to get increased stability of the car when driving at high speed, in particular - when cornering. But moving in a calm mode will become less comfortable.

Fans of an aggressive sporty driving style can also use shock absorbers of high rigidity with adjustable parameters. The positive point is that such models have very high strength and reliability.

If the car is used for infrequent and short trips, then buying expensive shock absorbers is not necessary at all. For example, QH or AL-KO, or similar, is quite enough.

How to check the condition of the shock absorber on your car

Experienced drivers claim that the main signs of the health of shock absorbers are:

obedience to car control
noise level in the cabin
no shaking and vibration while driving

At the same time, shock absorbers affect the speed of acceleration of the car, give a smooth ride, braking, cornering, overcoming descents and ascents.

They eliminate vibration, the increase of which can lead to wheel slip in extreme conditions, i.e. their action is aimed at increasing the safety of movement along the highway and minimizing the threat of accidents.

But, unfortunately, any part of the car wears out over time and needs to be replaced. The question arises: by what symptoms can a motorist determine a malfunction of a shock absorber.

It is possible to make a diagnosis yourself:

determine if there are liquid leaks on the body (they should not be in good condition)
by pressing on each of the corners of the body, the car should be rocked, as a response, only one return movement should occur, while the car should return to its normal position
in the event of a malfunction of the shock absorbers, knocks will be clearly heard when the car is rocking

Such a simple test will reveal a malfunction, and therefore the onset of the time to replace it.

In order not to make a mistake when choosing shock absorbers, consider:

many models are designed for certain brands of cars, so it is advisable to study the catalogs that are available in specialized stores
type of previously used models
preferred driving style
the condition of the roads on which you have to travel in most cases
cost, especially if the replacement will be carried out on a used car
replacement of oil shock absorbers with gas ones, or vice versa, must be carried out on both axles at the same time, otherwise there is a risk of significant changes in the behavior of the car

None of the distributors can guarantee the quality and long service life of shock absorbers if they are installed on a car with a faulty suspension, without anthers and fenders, and the installation itself is carried out in violation of technology.