Air Shock Absorber
Zhejiang Bocheng Automotive Technology Co.Ltd was established in 2012, and located in the core area of the Qianjiang New City in Hangzhou, China. Bocheng is a leading enterprise specializing in R&D, production and sales of air suspension systems. Bocheng is committed to providing air suspension solutions for many luxury automotive brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Porsche, Bentley, Rolls Royce and Land Rover.
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Air Shock Absorber is used in place of conventional steel springs in heavy vehicle applications such as buses and trucks, and in some passenger cars. The purpose of Air Shock Absorber is to provide a smooth, constant ride quality, but in some cases is used for sports suspension. Modern electronically controlled systems in automobiles and light trucks almost always feature self-leveling along with raising and lowering functions.
What Is Air Shock Absorber
Air Shock Absorber are an integral component of any suspension system because they are responsible for absorbing energy which in turn helps reduce your vehicle from bottoming out or bouncing awkwardly. Bumps or rough terrain naturally cause your vehicle to move, but shock absorbers counteract this action via a piston that allows the shock to remain stiff and prevent the body for your car from moving.
Superior Ride Comfort
One of the most significant benefits of air shock absorbers is the superior ride comfort they provide. These systems use air springs to cushion the ride, resulting in a smoother and more controlled journey. Whether you're navigating bumpy roads or uneven terrain, you'll experience less jarring and discomfort inside the vehicle.
Adjustable Ride Height
Air shock absorbers allow you to adjust your vehicle's ride height, giving you more control over ground clearance. This feature is especially valuable for off-road enthusiasts, as it enables you to tackle various terrains with ease. It also makes loading and unloading cargo more convenient, whether you're carrying heavy loads or towing a trailer.
Improved Handling and Stability
Upgrading to air shock absorbers enhances the handling and stability of your vehicle. The ability to adjust the air pressure in the springs allows you to fine-tune the suspension to match specific driving conditions. Whether you're on the highway, on winding roads, or off-roading, your vehicle will respond better to your steering inputs, providing you with increased control and confidence.
Load-Leveling Capability
Air systems are equipped with load-leveling capabilities, ensuring that the weight distribution remains even when you're carrying heavy loads. This feature helps prevent your vehicle from sagging in the rear when towing trailers or carrying heavy cargo. It results in a smoother and safer ride, reducing the risk of accidents and wear and tear on your vehicle.
Enhanced Braking Performance
Air shock absorbers contribute to improved braking performance. With better stability and weight distribution, your vehicle's braking system can operate more effectively. This added safety feature ensures that your braking distances are shorter, enhancing your ability to stop quickly in emergencies.
Installing Air Shocks Is a Straight-Forward Job, But There Are Some Things To Keep In Mind For a Successful Repair:
Don't Rotate
While most shocks can be rotated, air shocks can't be twisted. The upper and lower part of the air shock has a fixed alignment due to the bellows. If the upper and lower mounts aren't aligned in parallel, it won't work properly. Don't twist the upper or lower mount.
Mount Air Line Fitting Properly
It is important to point the air line connector on the dust cover in the correct direction. If installed incorrectly, the air lines can stick out and rub against the tires. Make sure the air line is secured to the frame (not the suspension), in some cases you may need to zip tie the air line to the boot to keep it away from the tires and/or exhaust system .
Avoid Tire Wear & Handling Issues
Air shocks should be adjusted to maintain the original ride height. If the shocks are adjusted to make the ride height higher than what the manufacturer intended, it can affect the suspension geometry of the vehicle and can lead to excessive tire wear and handling issues.
Installing Air Line Fittings
On most air line fittings, the O-ring is compressed around the air line. The proper procedure is to slide the nut and O-ring onto the air line and then insert it into the shock. This ensures the air line is inserted correctly in the fitting. The fitting may leak if you install the O-ring and nut onto the shock first.
Where To Mount The t-Fitting
Mount the T-fitting in the trunk or somewhere easy to access when you need to add air. If you install the T-fitting in the trunk or somewhere else inside the vehicle, make sure it won't get damaged by anything you store there.
Avoid Overtightening Air Fitting Nut
Tighten the plastic nut on the fitting on the dust shield by hand. If you overtighten the fitting, it can pinch off the air line and air won't get into the shock.
Putting Air In The System
Once the air shocks are installed, you're ready to put air in the system. Keep in mind that air shocks are like tires: You shouldn't operate the air shocks with no air in them. For a manual system, you should have a minimum of 20 PSI in the shocks. When under load, add only enough air pressure to maintain level ride height. More air isn't better; It will change the ride height which will lead to ride harshness and damage to suspension parts.
Components of a Air Shock Absorber
Since Air Shock Absorber are used in various applications, they're different in design and operation. The truth is their parts remain similar. Below are the major components of a shock absorber in vehicles:
Mount
This shock absorber part helps to secure shocks to the vehicle body and suspension. It consists of an upper and lower mount of the same design, containing a surface hollow part that allows bushing and bolt to be inserted.
Bushing
The bush is located on the mountings, usually made of rubber or urethane. This bushing absorbs vibrations and has separate metal parts to prevent noise and wear. Bushings are among the shock absorber components that can be replaced.
Coil Spring
Not all shock absorber features a coil spring in their parts. It's commonly known as a coil-over-shock absorber or spring coil shock absorber. Absorber with coil spring looks like a suspension strut, one can easily mistake them for each other.
Piston And Piston Rod
Shock absorber pistons contain openings or valves that allow its part to revolve around the movement of oil through passageways. The piston rod guides the piston inside the shock absorber cylinder.
Cylinder
This is a cylindrical tube that acts as the body of a shock absorber. It consists of compression oil and a piston that moves inside it.
Bolts
Bolts are fasteners used to hold a shock absorber to a vehicle's body on one end and suspension at the other end. These bolts must be torqued to the right torque value so that the absorber won't lose during operation.
Some Other Small Parts Of Car Shock Absorbers Include:
- Oil Seal: The oil seal helps to prevent the oil inside the shock absorber tube from leaking out while working. It also prevents contamination from entering the tube.
- Oil Guide: This is an oil passage to ensure the smooth working of the absorber.
- Rod Guide: The rod guide gives the piston rod smooth movement.
- Nitrogen Gas And Gas Chamber: This is contained in a chamber within the compression chamber or cylinder. It prevents the oil from forming bubbles.
- Washer And Plates: These are a spacer that forms an important part of the shock absorber parts.
Types of Air Shock Absorber
Hydraulic Shock Absorbers
Hydraulic shock absorbers are the traditional type commonly found in most vehicles. They consist of a cylinder or tube, an air compression chamber, and a piston rod. As the suspension travels, hydraulic fluid is forced through tiny holes in the piston, creating resistance. This resistance slows down the movement of the springs, providing a smoother ride.
Gas-Charged Shock Absorbers
Gas-charged shock absorbers are similar in design to hydraulic ones but with a crucial difference. Instead of air, these shocks contain pressurized nitrogen gas in the compression chamber. The nitrogen gas compresses the oil, preventing cavitation and maintaining consistent damping even in demanding driving conditions.
Adjustable Shock Absorbers
In addition to the standard hydraulic and gas-charged shocks, some brands offer adjustable shock absorbers. These shocks are designed for tuning and allow you to adjust the suspension to different driving environments and specific needs. One example is Monroe shock absorbers with intelligent RideSense technology, which provide customizable suspension settings for optimal performance and comfort.
How Do Air Shock Absorber Work Exactly
Air Shock Absorber are a critical part of the suspension system in your vehicle, and they do a lot more than you might realize.
Shock absorbers are responsible for keeping your vehicle stable when driving on roads with bumps or potholes, and they also help control the amount of bounce you experience when you hit a bump.
Shock absorbers are generally made up of two basic parts: A piston and a spring (depending on the model). The piston is connected to the wheel hub and moves up and down with every bounce of the suspension. The spring is attached to the piston and holds it in place when there's no force acting on it (like when you're driving straight). When you hit a bump in the road, That force triggers a change in pressure inside the shock absorber—and that change in pressure causes the piston to move up or down, depending on how much force was applied to it.
As the piston moves up or down, it compresses or decompresses air inside the shock body. This changes how much fluid is pushed through small holes at either end of each shock body; this process allows for frictionless movement between two metal plates within each cylinder (one plate is stationary while another moves back and forth along its surface). That frictionless movement produces resistance that causes the spring to compress, which in turn produces resistance that causes your tires to grip the road. The result is a smooth ride and better handling.
6 Signs of Worn or Faulty Shock Absorbers
A worn shock absorber will not only cause a rough, uncomfortable ride, it will also negatively affect the vehicle's handling and braking performance. it could cause other components such as the tires and brakes to wear out prematurely. Here are the signs that you may have worn out shock absorbers.
Vibrating Steering Wheel
It's normal for your steering wheel to vibrate when you drive over potholes or uneven surfaces. However, excessive vibration is a sign that your shock absorbers are worn out and can't dampen the vibration well enough. If your steering wheel vibrates even on a smooth, level road, your shock absorber could be significantly worn or damaged.
Besides on uneven surfaces, you may also experience excessive vibration when driving on the highway at speed. Having to control a vibrating steering wheel is not only uncomfortable but it may limit your ability to steer your vehicle which could lead to an accident.
Your Vehicle Shakes or Sways While Driving
With worn shock absorbers, the shock and vibration that your tire absorbs will also be transferred to the whole vehicle. your car might vibrate, bounce, or sway excessively, making it feel unstable on the road. This problem is usually intensified when you drive at high speeds. If your shock absorbers are significantly worn out, your car could bottom out when you drive over bumps and dips which can further damage your suspension system.
Your Vehicle Rolls or Sways Excessively in Corners
One function of the shock absorbers is to ensure your car body stays in a neutral position when cornering. If you have a worn or faulty shock absorber, it can lose its ability to control the weight transfer rate when the car is cornering. This will increase body roll when you take a corner, especially at high speeds. It may also result in your car needing an increased steering input even when turning at low speeds.
Uneven Tire Wear
When your car bounces due to worn-out shock absorbers, it can put more pressure on your tires and accelerate the wear on them. A common type of tire wear caused by worn-out absorbers is cupping or scalloping. This refers to when you have high and low tread wear in random spots.
The worn parts are usually three to four inches in diameter and can cause a rumbling noise at high speeds or a harsh ride at lower speeds. If you notice cupping or scalloping on your tires, be sure to get your shock absorbers checked immediately.
Excessive Nose Dive and Squat
Properly functioning shock absorbers stabilize the movement of your suspension when you brake and accelerate. When your absorbers are worn out, your car's front end could dive while braking and the rear end could squat during acceleration. This is a serious issue as it can increase your stopping distance and place an excessive load on other suspension components.
While it's not advisable to try it out on the open road, you can pay attention to how your car reacts under hard acceleration and braking the next time you drive. Alternatively, you can push down hard on the sides of your car. If it bounces several times before stopping, it's a sign of worn-out shock absorbers.
Fluid Leak on the Shock Absorbers
A sure sign of a faulty or worn-out shock absorber is when it's leaking fluid. If the seal is worn out, hydraulic fluid could leak out and reduce the performance of the shock absorber. Dirt can also enter into the tube and affect the ability of the piston to move as intended.
When you replace your faulty shock absorbers, it's advisable to check the condition of your coil springs as well. If the spring has changed shape or lost its elasticity, you should replace it.
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Zhejiang Bocheng Automotive Technology Co.Ltd was established in 2012, and located in the core area of the Qianjiang New City in Hangzhou, China. Bocheng is a leading enterprise specializing in R&D, production and sales of air suspension systems. Bocheng is committed to providing air suspension solutions for many luxury automotive brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Porsche, Bentley, Rolls Royce and Land Rover.
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