What Are Shock Absorbers?

Are you a little confused as to what are shock absorbers that they have a whole article dedicated to them? If you've heard of car shock absorbers but hardly know their importance, read on. Automobile shock absorbers are devices built just like hydraulic oil pumps.

They help to manage the impact of rebound on a car's suspension and springs. Additionally, they help ensure that the tires of a vehicle are always in constant contact with the road. This, in turn, results in excellent brake response and great control from the car.

What do Shock Absorbers do?

If the question on your mind is what do shocks do on a car, we have the answer. These vital elements of a suspension system have two jobs. The first is to ensure your tires are always in contact with the road while controlling how the suspension and springs move.

Whether your car is moving or not, only the bottom part of your tires touches the road. When this contact is weakened, there's a chance that you may not brake, steer, or drive properly. If you ask most people how do shocks work, they'll tell you that they carry the weight of the car. This, however, isn't true.

What About Absorption?

How does shock absorption work? Let's take a short science lesson to answer that question. When kinetic energy from your suspension parts is converted into thermal energy, the thermal energy (which is heat) is released into the atmosphere via heat exchange. The energy exchange is nothing like tractor transmission.

Wait; answering a simple question such as how do shocks work needn't sound harder than it is.

As we mentioned earlier in the question of what are shock absorbers, they're just devices that function as oil pumps. Here's how they do it. At the end of a piston rod, there's usually a piston that's attached.

The piston works with hydraulic fluid filled into a pressure tube. As the suspension moves, hydraulic fluid is pushed into tiny holes in the piston. These holes only let in small amounts of the hydraulic liquid pass through the piston.

This, in turn, slows down the cylinder in addition to the movement from the suspension and the spring. Ideally, if your shock absorbers work well, regardless of the road condition, and even if you're learning how to drive a tractor on the road, they will adjust their resistance to the speed at which you're moving.

Types of Shock Absorbers

So far, we've answered various questions about the topic at hand, including what is a shock absorber good for in a car. It's now time to take a look at the different types of shocks. Even though they all do the same thing, just like different types of tractor tires, there are various car models, and the kinds of shocks they use look different.

Regardless of how they work or look, there are only three types of shock absorbers. Let's take a look at them.

Strut Shock Absorbers

If you've been wondering what are shock absorbers that will support heavier loads such as tractors or more significant forces, we have the answer for you. Struts replace part of the suspension system that makes up these shock absorbers. Heavier cars are now starting to use these types of shocks, although they're typically found on the suspension of medium-sized and smaller cars.

Additionally, two types of struts come with these kinds of shock absorbers. There are repairable and sealed unit categories. Struts that are repairable can be fitted with a strut cartridge for replacement. On the other hand, sealed struts cannot have only one part replaced. The whole section has to get replaced if it gets worn out.

Telescopic Shock Absorbers

These types of shock absorbers are usually not repaired. If they get worn out or damaged, they have to get replaced. They are the most straightforward types of shocks on the market and aren't expensive.

Spring Seat Shocks

These types of shocks are similar to both strut type and telescopic shocks. These shocks have both a damping function and suspension parts. However, they cannot support heavy loads and are sealed, which means they need a full replacement.

Conclusion

What are shock absorbers if California Drivers doesn't manufacture them? There's one thing that puts California Drivers shock absorbers at the forefront: Constant testing. The company ensures that its products are top performers across different test variables, such as stability, handling, and braking.

If you're curious about your shocks' lifespan, manufacturers will advise you to change them after 50,000 miles. However, different aspects will affect the lifespan of your shocks. Variables such as the type of road (mud terrains will wear your tire faster), weather conditions, and how you drive your car will affect how long your shocks will last.