What are Shock Absorbers?

Air suspension kits need shock absorbers ("shocks") to cushion road energy and help your vehicle produce a seamless and stable ride. They’re an integral part of any suspension system, but few understand the purpose of shocks and just how important they are for your car. So what is the purpose of shock absorbers and why are they so important?

What Are Shock Absorbers?

Shock absorbers are suspension parts that help your vehicle drive smoothly over rough terrain. They’re designed to cushion air suspension parts from road energy from bumps and dips. Most importantly, shocks work to prevent bouncing and bottoming out. Shocks help the vehicle resist movement caused by bumps. Each shock comes with a piston that moves through a tube filled with fluid or air. As it moves, the fluid or air flows through holes and valves in the piston. This controls the stiffness of the ride or how much the vehicle resists movement. On top of that, modern advancements allow drivers to adjust the stiffness of the ride manually or automatically. This helps the shocks provide the best cushion and performance depending on your specific driving needs or the current terrain. While all shock absorbers work to minimize vehicle movement and ensure a smooth performance, they’re not a one-size-fits-all type of suspension part. Shocks come in many types for specific vehicles and performance needs. Some types of shock absorbers are:

• Air shocks
• Strut-type shocks
• Spring seat shocks
• Conventional telescopic shocks

What Do Shock Absorbers Do?

Again, shock absorbers are primarily designed to control vehicle bouncing and overall movement through various types of terrain. However, they can also help to reduce certain movements caused by over- and understeering and other performance issues. For example, these suspension parts can prevent leaning and rolling while traveling to reduce the risk of rollovers. Plus, shock absorbers are responsible for keeping your vehicle’s tires on to the road when traveling. Essentially, they can control tire bouncing and hopping so your tires maintain road grip and traction at all times.

Why Are Shocks Important?

Shock absorbers aren’t important because they provide a smooth performance. They’re important because they ensure safety. With shocks, drivers experience more control and stability, especially when traveling through rough road conditions. On top of that, shocks help to extend the longevity of your air suspension parts and tires. As you travel, the shocks will protect your air suspension against any excessive wear and tear. The shocks will also keep your tires connected to the road at all times to prevent uneven and excessive tread wear. As a result, they deliver optimum traction and performance for as long as possible. To learn more about shock absorbers for your car, contact Strutmasters online now.