Many car owners who have low-profile tires on their cars complain that when driving on roads with holes, potholes and other irregularities, the ride is quite harsh, especially if the wheel diameter is 16 inches. In addition, those car owners who often transport heavy loads and passengers say that the car sags a lot. Correct installation of autobuffers will help solve these problems; they must be mounted on both the rear and front springs. This article will describe in detail how to do it yourself.
Important! Before you begin installing autobuffers, be sure to thoroughly clean all springs of all kinds of contaminants, including dust, grease stains, sand, dirt, etc. Installation must be carried out strictly according to the instructions supplied by the manufacturer.
Advantages and disadvantages
Car enthusiasts on the Internet often publish reviews about car buffers. Among them there are both positive and negative. People who use them describe both the advantages and disadvantages of the part.
pros
Installing the device on a car with worn shock absorbers will reduce vibration and soften the movement. Buying autobuffers is much cheaper than buying new springs. With them, speed bumps and railway crossings are not felt so much.
In the event of a collision, the polyurethane supply will protect the shock absorber strut from destruction. Increases ground clearance by several centimeters.
Safety and smoothness of movement increases. They protect shock absorbers from shock and excessive load. This will significantly increase their service life.
Reviews from car owners
Some car owners speak very positively about autobuffers. Especially those whose cars have a very low seating position. Spacers allow you to increase the clearance up to 30 mm, therefore, making it more comfortable to drive off-road or when transporting large loads.
In reviews from motorists, you can find the opinion that installing auto buffers, despite their high price, allows you to save on repairs. Interturn cushions increase the mileage after which the need to repair the chassis arises up to 80 thousand kilometers.
But the opinions of car enthusiasts are ambiguous. Some car owners consider auto buffers useless. They claim that the car becomes, on the contrary, too harsh with them. And the likelihood that these devices can increase the service life of the chassis is considered unproven. They also believe that improving driving dynamics and reducing roll is a myth invented by marketers.
Therefore, whether it is worth buying autobuffers is up to you personally.
How to install autobuffers?
How to install heated mirrors with your own hands?
Installing such rubber bands is a piece of cake for those who have an idea of what do-it-yourself repairs are. The whole difficulty of installation is just to hang the wheels and remove the load from the springs. To do this, you can use a lift or jack. The interturn spacers themselves are installed manually without much difficulty; before installing the spring, it is advisable to clean the autobuffers from dirt and lubricate them with soapy water; this will simplify installation and advancement along the turns. The only thing is that the rubber bands may need to be adjusted (trimmed) if they take up more than one turn. After installation, the autobuffers are secured with plastic clamps. In principle, you can skip everything and start testing.
Preparations before installation
Before you begin installing autobuffers, these silicone parts need to be tried on the car springs. If the buffers are too long, you need to cut off the excess parts. For installation you will need some tools and accessories, you need to prepare:
- car jack;
- wheel wrench;
- rag and soap;
- silicone;
- knife;
- small plastic clamps.
The car is raised using a jack, after which the nuts are unscrewed from the car rim and the wheel is removed. Then the spring is washed with soap and a rag.
Autobuffers, pros and cons
How to disassemble a headlight and install lenses yourself
Advantages of autobuffers:
- If the suspension requires increased attention or repair, of course, giving it rigidity by installing interturn spacers will significantly improve comfort and also delay the need for urgent repairs.
- Driving over speed bumps, railroad crossings and potholes is actually more pleasant with these devices. Shocks disappear, vibrations decrease, and the car nods less.
- In the event of a strong impact, such spacers can save shock-absorbing struts from “death.”
- Increased ride comfort.
Disadvantages of autobuffers:
- High price.
- Chassis load, suspension stiffness.
- It is not always possible to install these devices on springs; sometimes you have to adjust them to a specific vehicle (fastening, trimming, and so on).
- Poorly thought out fastening. Sometimes car enthusiasts lose these products. Taking this into account, autobuffers began to be secured using nylon clamps, which wear out over time or simply tear. It is also impossible to use metal clamps, since they can wipe the spacers themselves. That is why it is necessary to regularly check the presence and condition of autobuffers, which takes up the car owner’s time.
Autobuffers or interturn spacers?
How to install and connect front wireless parking sensors with your own hands
It is not correct to compare interturn spacers manufactured in Russia 10 years ago with TTC autobuffers. Then rubber products were produced that turned to stone, cracked and dried out in the cold. They were mainly installed to lift the car. At that time, no one thought about comfort. At the moment, you can only hear good reviews about autobuffers. There is practically no negativity in them, and we will get acquainted with all the shortcomings a little lower. Korean autobuffers offer you a refined and modern shape that allows the spring to handle extreme compression without locking it up. This patented design, along with urethane, reduces the risk of breakage to zero.
Design of original products
The autobuffer is an intercurrent gasket made of shock-absorbing material. In the spring spacer market, spacers from the Korean company TTC are considered original products. The manufacturer states that a special urethane composition was used to make the pillow, which is highly elastic and flexible. Oval openings are an important design element, thanks to which autobuffers effectively absorb loads applied to them. At the top and bottom of the product there are slots for tightly fastening the coils; on the sides the slots prevent the spacers from falling out when the spring is stretched.
Pros and cons of autobuffers, installation features
This way you can bring cheap TPR spacers closer to the original autobuffers with your own hands. Holes can be made with a regular drill and screwdriver.
Your main task is to make the holes as symmetrical as possible, placing them at the same distance from each other and from the edges of the spacer. Will there be any benefit? A significant effect from installing autobuffers can be obtained in 2 cases:
- your car has sagging springs. In this case, the spacer between the coils will not allow the spring to compress so much that it will allow you to gain a few centimeters of ground clearance;
- you often carry large loads.
The cushions will increase the stiffness of the spring, and when driving over uneven surfaces, they will act as an additional damper, preventing hard breakdown of the shock absorbers. If you have tired springs, and you often drive laden, then auto buffers will actually make your ride more comfortable for a while.
Autobuffers Renault Logan 2
Price of autobuffers. Buy urethane autobuffers! 5 year warranty! Air suspension effect. A worthy alternative. Suspension and shock absorber protection.
Making autobuffers with your own hands Obviously, purchasing and then installing a polyurethane spacer to increase ground clearance is a profitable undertaking. One can guess why auto concerns do not use these simple but effective devices in mass production. In general, I am more inclined to think that the buffers are not original. They are best suited for those who rarely drive a car. In this situation, their resource will be greater. Before I installed the original autobuffers, I had to resort to various tricks, even installing spacers.
Autobuffers Renault Logan 2 Obviously, the purchase and subsequent installation of a polyurethane spacer to increase ground clearance is a profitable undertaking. One can guess why auto concerns do not use these simple but effective devices in mass production.
DIY autobuffers.
Grigory Kubrakov I drive a Matiz, everything was fine except the ground clearance.
I read and watched a lot about “Autobuffers”, but I was too scared to pay such a sum for them.
So I decided to install spacers from the classics made in
Balakovo. Having just modernized it a little, I drilled holes in them with a 12 mm feather drill ala “autobuffer”. The spacers have vertical channels (they are not through, visible from above) I drilled through one, placing the spacer on a horizontal block from the outside to the inside.
When marking the holes, it is necessary to take into account the upper and lower groove for the spring (they are different in depth).
The holes are needed to make the spacer more elastic.
Advantages of shock-absorbing pillows
According to the Korean manufacturer, the use of autobuffers between the coils of springs provides the following advantages:
- by improving stabilization properties and shock absorption, the service life of suspension elements increases by a third;
- shock absorber struts are protected from breakdowns and last 50% longer;
- clearance increases by 1.5–2 centimeters;
- autobuffers are securely mounted on springs, which prevents their loss;
- increased vehicle controllability and predictability on any road surface;
- easy installation and dismantling;
- the installation of airbags does not involve interference with the design of the car, so their operation does not contradict the rules of the road and other legal acts;
- produce urethane autobuffers in accordance with international standards, they meet ISO requirements, and have received the appropriate certificates.
What's the alternative?
On the market of automobile spare parts and accessories, there are shock-absorbing cushions made of thermoplastic rubber. Their main difference is that they are installed under a spring and serve to increase ground clearance. They do not improve comfort and handling.
There are autobuffers from other manufacturers on the shelves of traders, but their production technology in most cases does not meet the standards. They are not an equal alternative to pillows from the Korean company TTC.
How can you determine the wear of shock absorbers?
And why do this at all? The bottom line is that if the shock absorbers are bad, there will be no benefit from installing a buffer cushion. But no one wants to waste money
That is why it is important to carefully examine the suspension struts and shock absorbers themselves before purchasing. To do this, it is absolutely not necessary to dismantle them
It is enough to rock the car up and down well, and then observe how well it copes with the vibrations. If the car only needed one or two vibrations to restore a calm position, this means that the struts are intact. In the same case, if the car still continues to oscillate, this indicates a problem. Shock absorbers can be checked by external inspection (checking to see if a leak has formed), as well as directly on the move (the presence of characteristic knocking noises in the wheel indicates that the strut has most likely already broken through). Only after a thorough check can you proceed to selecting a part and deciding which buffers to buy: rubber, urethane, rubber or silicone autobuffers. Reviews recommend taking this issue seriously. This approach will ensure your safety in the future.
How to install correctly
The cushions are installed between the middle coils of the spring. To install autobuffers with your own hands you need:
- hang the wheel by lifting the car with a jack. Don’t forget about safety - install wheel chocks before jacking up;
- clean the intended installation location on the spring from dirt;
- moisten the coils with soapy water or silicone grease. Reducing friction will require less effort to turn along the turns;
- Having slightly straightened the spacer, place it between the middle turns (or those closest to the middle, if the spring has an unpaired number of turns) turns of the spring. Make sure that the sides of the grooves do not break or become jammed;
- Scroll the pillow in a spiral to the required position.
The edges of the spacers should not touch or overlap. It is possible to shorten the autobuffer slightly if its length is too large for the radius of the springs of your car. The pillow between the turns should fit tightly. To avoid lowering down the coils from each edge, the autobuffer can be secured with 2 plastic clamps.
TTC autobuffers: tougher, but more gentle
Its main task is to ensure comfort and safety of movement, reduce operational loads on the vehicle’s suspension, and extend the service life of springs and shock absorbers.
Prestige class cars are equipped with air suspension, which compensates for impacts from potholes and holes.
What should drivers of middle-class vehicles, of which there are many more, do? Thanks to a Korean inventor, a solution has been found. Today, TTC autobuffers are sold all over the world and are available for 90% of car models. TTC interturn cushions are made of polyurethane with the addition of a special chemical composition. This innovative product is used in the production of sneaker soles from the famous manufacturer Nike. A special chemical formula and unique design give the pillows a memory effect, that is, they are able to regain their shape after physical activity. The price, you see, is considerable, given the realities of the level of solvency;
- make an analogue of autobuffers by upgrading cushions made of thermoplastic rubber (Thermo Plastic Rubber). Typically TPR autobuffers are red or black. Unlike the original interturn spacers, manufacturers of thermoplastic rubber auto buffers do not attribute miraculous properties to their products. TPR pillows are used primarily to increase vehicle clearance.
Thermoplastic rubber is a fairly strong and wear-resistant material, but it does not have as much elasticity and elasticity as urethane.
In addition, the well-known TPR autobuffers do not have holes, but are solid rubber products. It is this characteristic that can be corrected by making oval holes in the spacers and thereby giving the pillow greater elasticity.
- How to install autobuffers with your own hands?
- What tool is needed
- How to install autobuffer
- Errors when installing autobuffer
- Should I increase the ground clearance when using an autobuffer?
Autobuffers are shock-absorbing cushions.
With their help, you can solve the following problems: • car sway (transverse and longitudinal), nods, rolls;
• structural rigidity/softness of the car;
• insufficient car comfort;
• knocking, impacts, damage to the suspension while driving on uneven roads;
• sagging and instability of the car;
What tool is needed
Before installation, jack up the vehicle. Next, unscrew the nuts on the wheel and remove it. Wash the spring with liquid soap.
How to install autobuffer
Installing an autobuffer is quite simple; you can do it yourself. There is no need to remove springs or struts, and no special tools are required.
1. Soap or silicone lubricant will help ease installation if the autobuffer is difficult to fit into the spring.
2. To begin, stretch the spring and use a jack to hang the wheel.
3. Once you have access to the spring, wipe it free of dirt and apply a little silicone.
4. Spread the sides of the autobuffer, insert it between the coils of the spring.
You can lubricate the grooves with liquid soap. Rotate the autobuffer so that the coils of the spring fit into the sides of the shock-absorbing cushion. Make sure that the grooves do not bend under the spring. 5. There is no exact place where the autobuffer is installed. You can place it in any part of the spring (top or bottom). But the most optimal place is the middle of the spring. Remember that the shock-absorbing pad must sit freely in the extended spring. The free play should be at least 2-3 mm. And in a compressed spring, the autobuffer should sit tightly, without free play. If the car is stationary and the cushion can be rotated in the spring, the size is chosen incorrectly.
What's the reality? Real advantages of autobuffers:
- If the suspension requires repairs or increased attention, then certainly adding rigidity by installing intercoil spacers will improve comfort and delay the need for urgent repairs.
- Driving through potholes, railway crossings and speed bumps is really more enjoyable with these things, tested! There is a decrease in vibrations, shocks disappear, and in general the car nods less.
- From a safety point of view, autobuffers can improve the rigidity of a “tired” suspension, I emphasize the word “tired”. Therefore, roll is certainly reduced, and at the same time, traffic safety and cornering are increased. As for serviceable struts and chassis, installing autobuffers is simply pointless and most likely will not affect safety or handling in any way. Moreover, it seems to me that with such spacers, serviceable struts will only work worse, and the car itself will become so rigid that you will begin to feel any, even the slightest, irregularities on the road.
- In the event of a strong impact, such spacers can save shock-absorbing struts from “death”, acting as bump stops and preventing critical up/down movement of the rod. Due to the reduction in rod stroke, shock absorbers last longer. This point is quite difficult to prove or refute, so it is more of a probability or possibility than a proven fact.
- Comfort. This point could not be made separately, in principle, like all of the above, since they are connected in one way or another, however, improvements for passengers and the driver after installing autobuffers are indeed observed. Due to the reduced sway of the body, everyone sitting in the cabin does not have to strain in order to stabilize their body position (this happens at the subconscious level, many do not even notice it, but drivers will understand me). Personally, I quite often caught myself driving with my feet on the floor, and my “fifth point” was practically in the air, most often this happens when driving over bumps and in case of sudden maneuvers. It’s as if you are pushing back and trying to hold your body by any means, the muscles automatically tense, and after just a few hours of riding like this you will feel serious fatigue. Driving on a flat road, for example, does not evoke such reflexes, and partly due to the driver’s relaxation, thousands of accidents occur every year, and the reason is simple - he fell asleep. When we are inactive, drowsiness comes very quickly, and the warmth in the cabin and pleasant music contribute to this even more. Sorry, offtopic, I’ve gone a little off topic... But, I think you understand the main idea... In short, the body sways less, as a result, you strain less, which means you get less tired.
Can I install it myself?
As reviews show, quite a lot of autobuffers are installed today. In this regard, some people have a question: can they do it themselves or will they have to seek help from specialists in any case? As it turns out in practice, you don’t need any specialized tools or professional skills. Only the most ordinary jack will be useful. What is the sequence of actions?
- Put the car on the handbrake (you will have to completely hang up any of the wheels; sometimes it makes more sense to remove it altogether).
- Clean the spring coils.
- Place the part in the grooves of the spring (only at the moment when it is fully stretched).
- Secure the autobuffer fully using specialized clamps (plastic).
LiveInternetLiveInternet
- Registration
- Entrance
—Categories
- ointments for psoriasis list and prices (79)
- ointment for psoriasis in pharmacies (79)
- best ointment for psoriasis (79)
- what ointments for psoriasis (79)
- treatment of psoriasis in children (79)
- effective ointment for psoriasis (78)
- ointments for psoriasis list (78)
- psoriasis initial stage treatment (78)
- psoriasis treatments (78)
- psoriasis folk treatment (78)
- skin king ointment for psoriasis (55)
- psoriasis folk treatment at home (55)
- psoriasis treatment at home (55)
- ointment for psoriasis on the skin (54)
- psoriasis in children photo initial (50)
- psoriasis in children photos (50)
- psoriasis in children (49)
- psoriasis treatment reviews (49)
- grease-based ointment for psoriasis (49)
- ointment for psoriasis on the head (49)
- psoriasis on the legs, initial stage (49)
- psoriasis on the head, initial stage (49)
- psoriasis in children photo initial stage (49)
- psoriasis in children, initial stage (49)
- psoriasis photo of the initial stage on the hands (49)
- initial stage of psoriasis on the hands (49)
- psoriasis photo of the initial stage (49)
- how to cure psoriasis at home (49)
- how to treat psoriasis at home (49)
- king of ointments for psoriasis (29)
- non-hormonal ointments for psoriasis (29)
- Chinese ointment for psoriasis (29)
- buy ointment for psoriasis (29)
- ointment for psoriasis reviews (29)
- psoriasis ointment price (29)
- psoriasis ointment (29)
- treatment of psoriasis with hydrogen peroxide reviews (29)
- treatment of psoriasis with soda (29)
- psoriasis treatment in Moscow (29)
- psoriasis treatment in Israel (29)
- pegano treatment of psoriasis the natural way (29)
- effective treatment of psoriasis (29)
- lamps for the treatment of psoriasis (29)
- psoriasis on hands treatment (29)
- psoriasis of the scalp treatment (29)
- psoriasis treatment the natural way (29)
- stages of psoriasis treatment (29)
- psoriasis treatment prices (29)
- natural psoriasis treatment (29)
- scalp psoriasis treatment (29)
- treatment of psoriasis pilaris (29)
- psoriasis treatment ointments reviews (29)
- treatment of psoriasis with hydrogen peroxide (29)
- pegano treatment of psoriasis (29)
- treatment of psoriasis with peroxide (29)
- psoriasis treatment drugs (29)
- psoriasis causes and treatment (29)
- psoriasis occurrence and treatment (29)
- psoriasis treatment methods (29)
- nail psoriasis treatment (29)
- psoriasis symptoms and treatment in adults (29)
- psoriasis treatment in adults (29)
- treatment of psoriasis on the head (29)
- psoriasis treatment forum (29)
- psoriasis causes treatment (29)
- psoriasis symptoms and treatment (29)
- psoriasis treatment ointments (29)
- treatment of psoriasis at home (29)
- psoriasis photo treatment (29)
- treatment of psoriasis with folk remedies (29)
- psoriasis at home (26)
- buy wax cream for psoriasis (26)
- psoriasis cream price (26)
- buy psoriasis cream (26)
- cream wax healthy for psoriasis (26)
- psoriasis cream reviews (26)
- cream wax for psoriasis (26)
- skin king ointment for psoriasis price (26)
- king of skin for psoriasis (26)
- scalp psoriasis (26)
- healthy cream for psoriasis (25)
- psoriasis cream (25)
- treatment of skin psoriasis (25)
- skin king for psoriasis price (25)
- skin psoriasis (25)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
- treatment of psoriasis at home using folk remedies (0)
Kinds
In order to make the right choice, it is important to research reviews. There are several types of autobuffers based on the diameter of the turns and dimensions
Each of the existing models is marked with a special marking. Usually Latin letters are used for this. The distance from turn to turn can vary between 1.3 and 6.8 centimeters. While the diameter of the spring can be from twelve and a half to eighteen centimeters. Be careful! Before purchasing, it is important to carefully measure all the above indicators if you want, for example, autobuffers for the Kia Rio. Reviews emphasize that there is not a single universal model. Each is designed for use under specific performance conditions. If you still find it difficult to choose car bumpers specifically for your model, reviews of the Kia Rio, for example, from other car enthusiasts will help you not to make a mistake in choosing the right part.
Common Mistakes
Despite the fact that installing buffers on a car is easy and quick, it is important to ensure that you do not make the following mistakes:
- do not cross the edges of the buffer. The edges of the silicone insert should not be allowed to overlap, end-to-end, or intersect; a gap of several millimeters must be left;
- Do not use just one clamp to secure the autobuffer. If one of these sizes is used - A, B, S, K, then manufacturers recommend fixing these parts with two clamps, one on the other.
What's the reality? Real advantages of autobuffers:
- If the suspension requires repairs or increased attention, then certainly adding rigidity by installing intercoil spacers will improve comfort and delay the need for urgent repairs.
- Driving through potholes, railway crossings and speed bumps is really more enjoyable with these things, tested! There is a decrease in vibrations, shocks disappear, and in general the car nods less.
- From a safety point of view, autobuffers can improve the rigidity of a “tired” suspension, I emphasize the word “tired”. Therefore, roll is certainly reduced, and at the same time, traffic safety and cornering are increased. As for serviceable struts and chassis, installing autobuffers is simply pointless and most likely will not affect safety or handling in any way. Moreover, it seems to me that with such spacers, serviceable struts will only work worse, and the car itself will become so rigid that you will begin to feel any, even the slightest, irregularities on the road.
- In the event of a strong impact, such spacers can save shock-absorbing struts from “death”, acting as bump stops and preventing critical up/down movement of the rod. Due to the reduction in rod stroke, shock absorbers last longer. This point is quite difficult to prove or refute, so it is more of a probability or possibility than a proven fact.
- Comfort. This point could not be made separately, in principle, like all of the above, since they are connected in one way or another, however, improvements for passengers and the driver after installing autobuffers are indeed observed. Due to the reduced sway of the body, everyone sitting in the cabin does not have to strain in order to stabilize their body position (this happens at the subconscious level, many do not even notice it, but drivers will understand me). Personally, I quite often caught myself driving with my feet on the floor, and my “fifth point” was practically in the air, most often this happens when driving over bumps and in case of sudden maneuvers. It’s as if you are pushing back and trying to hold your body by any means, the muscles automatically tense, and after just a few hours of riding like this you will feel serious fatigue. Driving on a flat road, for example, does not evoke such reflexes, and partly due to the driver’s relaxation, thousands of accidents occur every year, and the reason is simple - he fell asleep. When we are inactive, drowsiness comes very quickly, and the warmth in the cabin and pleasant music contribute to this even more. Sorry, offtopic, I’ve gone a little off topic... But, I think you understand the main idea... In short, the body sways less, as a result, you strain less, which means you get less tired.
Detailed description of the car's behavior after installation
Manufacturers and sellers have the goal of selling as many of their products as possible. Therefore, situations where advantages are exaggerated and disadvantages are hushed up are not uncommon. In order to understand the true level of effectiveness, it is necessary to critically examine the stated characteristics.
Protection of shock absorbers from breakdowns and critical loads
First you need to find out what a breakdown is. This is the name given to the shock received by the shock-absorbing element when fully compressed to its extreme position. However, it is worth noting that the shock absorber still does not reach this position. A special damper protects it from this. Consequently, the autobuffer is not the only protection against breakdown, but only duplicates and helps the existing device.
It can really help with such a problem only when it is installed on noticeably sagging springs. The effect is achieved by increasing the interturn distance and increasing the elasticity of the tired element.
Increased ground clearance
Changing the clearance is indeed possible. But for this, the height of the autobuffer must exceed the distance between the turns in working condition (under the weight of the curb weight). Also, with the same load, for a car with autobuffers, the ground clearance will not decrease so significantly. This will be facilitated by the resistance of the elastic material.
However, it is better to monitor the ground clearance level periodically. Especially if the car is used in harsh conditions or frequently transports cargo. You should not rely on the warranty periods indicated in the advertisement. Over time, depending on the severity of operating conditions, autobuffers will still sag.
Handling issues
The improvement in handling is due to increased spring stiffness after installing the airbags. They are positioned to prevent compression, due to which the car rolls less. This is supposedly how stability of behavior and composure in corners are achieved.
If you understand in detail the physical issues of the process, it turns out that springs are not the main factor influencing the car’s handling in a sharp turn. Of course, the spring opposite to the direction of rotation will be compressed. But if we analyze the changes in interturn distances, they will be very insignificant. After all, the leading role in the fight against roll is played by the anti-roll bar. Therefore, only changing the characteristics of the stabilizer will help to significantly reduce roll and improve cornering stability.
A clearly noticeable effect will be present if installed on a car with soft or heavily worn springs. When actively braking, the car tends to “nod its nose”, and when accelerating rapidly, it “sits” on the rear axle. Installing autobuffers can really reduce the amplitude and duration of such swinging, giving stability to behavior on the road.
Increased comfort level
This question is actually quite funny. After all, the main parameter that autobuffers can influence is spring stiffness. And they increase it. Accordingly, it is somewhat strange to argue about a decrease in the level of vibrations.
Comfort level issues are highly subjective. Perhaps there are drivers who will really appreciate the increase in rigidity, due to their preferences. However, the traditional way to increase comfort is to improve the smoothness of the ride. Increasing rigidity does not help this in any way.
The real effect of the installation
By critically examining the stated advantages and familiarizing yourself with the disadvantages, we can draw the following conclusions about installing this type of element in the suspension:
- Installation makes sense if the car has tired and sagging springs that cannot be replaced immediately;
- For a car that regularly transports cargo, a smaller decrease in ground clearance when loaded will be a pleasant addition;
- Increasing rigidity will lead to more stable behavior during braking and acceleration;
- There is a risk of damage to the spring under critical loads, due to the uneven influence of forces on different turns;
- With prolonged use, there is a risk of corrosion of the reinforced coils.
Advantages and disadvantages of shock-absorbing pillows
Like all design changes, autobuffers have their pros and cons. According to auto mechanics, the positive characteristics of inserts include the following factors:
- polyurethane additions help improve the driving characteristics of the car;
- the steering wheel rotates easier and controllability improves;
- the service life of shock absorbers increases, since the insert reduces the stroke length of the rod;
- the presence has a positive effect on the speed of cornering and the safety of the maneuver;
- it is believed that the body rolls less during maneuvering at high speeds;
- the presence of flexible shock-absorbing pads increases the comfort of the driver and passengers when moving over bumps on the road, for example, when overcoming a speed bump.
From practice, many drivers note that built-in buffers slightly stiffen the suspension, which makes it durable and resistant to extreme external loads. High-quality bushings made of plastic polyurethane have a fairly high price tag, but can last much longer than low-quality analogues made from substitute materials. Therefore, whether it makes sense to take a cheap fake, the driver decides on his own.
The advantages are noticeable not only to mechanics, but also to motorists who directly use these products in practice. Such drivers note the advantages:
- when driving over obstacles, a car with spacers does not “nod”, impacts are practically not felt and vibrations are minimized;
- in weak suspensions in need of repair, the presence of plastic interturn spacers, in addition to improving rigidity and comfort, will postpone the repair time to a later date;
- in the event of an unexpected strong impact, the presence of a buffer can save the shock absorber strut from extremely negative consequences, because the critical movement of the shock is blocked due to the presence of a pseudo-bumper;
- driving on an uneven road, the driver and passengers are not in a tense state, adjusting to the swaying interior.
In addition to the positive factors, it is necessary to take into account certain disadvantages that come with the use of additional inserts in the springs. Most often, users note the following negativity:
- Legal buffers are not cheap additions to a car. Depending on its characteristics, standard sizes and manufacturer, the price tag can reach 10 thousand rubles per set. However, the benefits obtained often outweigh such arguments.
- The increased rigidity is thought to add stress to the chassis. This promotes more intensive production of the node.
- There are car models for which it is difficult to select universal spring spacers. Motorists have to independently customize factory products for a specific car.
- During movement, autobuffers can be lost due to poor-quality fastening. To prevent this from happening, you need to use plastic clamps. However, it is necessary to periodically monitor the fasteners, as they naturally wear out and subsequently break.
We recommend periodically inspecting the machine from below on a pit or overpass to ensure that the polyurethane shock-absorbing bushings are installed. If you notice a loss, you need to make up for it, as there will be discomfort in the cabin, and the load on one side will increase on an uneven road.
What are the benefits of installing buffers?
If you install autobuffers on car shock absorbers, the main advantage that the car owner receives is an increase in the car's ground clearance by several centimeters. This will only take half an hour and there is no need to remove any springs or shock absorbers. Thanks to these shock-absorbing silicone inserts, you can raise the car body by 2-3 cm, depending on the stiffness of the shock absorbers. In addition to increasing ground clearance, installing buffers provides the following advantages:
- reduction of vibrations when driving on uneven, broken roads, driving becomes much quieter and more comfortable, suspension breakdowns occur much less frequently;
- economic benefit, thanks to the correct installation of these parts, the service life of shock absorbers and suspension parts is extended by two to three times;
- without load on the shock absorbers, the clearance between the car body and the road increases by several centimeters;
- driving a car is much easier and more enjoyable, regardless of the type of road;
- vehicle subsidence is minimized when transporting heavy cargo or passengers;
- driver fatigue is reduced when traveling long distances.
In addition, buffers eliminate the car's rocking and nodding, making a soft car more rigid, and a hard car softer. Driving on uneven roads and off-roads becomes much more comfortable, breakdowns, shocks to the suspension and knocking are eliminated.
Benefit up to 220 LLC rub.! Buy for rubles! Original autobuffers! 5 year guarantee or your money back! Call first. I’m wondering if something like this is needed on the Octavia... Thank you for your opinion.
Dear readers! Our articles talk about typical ways to resolve legal issues, but each case is unique.
If you want to find out how to solve your particular problem, please use the online consultant form on the right or call the numbers provided on the website. It's fast and free!
How to choose them?
TTS autobuffers, reviews of which are not at all difficult to find today, are universal, therefore, they can be installed on almost any passenger car with a spring suspension, and it does not matter what it will be - the popular Lada or the rare Jaguar, the common Solaris "or an executive Mercedes." In addition, there is positive experience of installing them on commercial light vehicles, for example, on minibuses such as Ford Transit, Autoline, and Peugeot Boxer - this is possible due to the simplicity of the design and a high margin of safety
In addition, there is positive experience of installing them on commercial light vehicles, for example, on minibuses such as Ford Transit, Autoline, and Peugeot Boxer - this can be done by the simplicity of the design and a high margin of safety.
Of course, auto buffers of the same size (see reviews from car owners about them below) cannot provide such a huge range of applicability; therefore, the manufacturer offers eight models, differing from each other in height (38-106 mm) and diameter (125-180 mm). The weight also differs: the smallest autobuffer weighs about 165 g, while the largest weighs 705 g.
Between the coils of springs, the minimum distance at which installation of autobuffers is possible is 10 mm, while the maximum distance is 67 mm. It is worth noting that over the years of work, a huge catalog of their applicability has been formed, therefore, it will not be difficult to find out what sizes of these devices are needed for a particular car model.
Types and sizes of autobuffers by model
Autobuffers need to be selected for specific springs (barrel, conical). The determining factors in their selection are the diameter of the turns and the interturn distance. The size of the spacers is indicated by letters (K, S, A, B, C, D, E, F). Each size has a different slot spacing (from 13 to 68 mm), is designed for a specific spring diameter (from 125 to 180 mm) and has an acceptable range of inter-turn distances (from 12–14 mm to 63–73 mm).
You can measure the spring parameters with a simple ruler. To determine the appropriate size of the product, measurements should be taken where the coils have the greatest distance between each other, while the car must be loaded at the rear. This is not necessary at the front, since there it is loaded with the motor.
What are autobuffers?
Auto buffer - the part is made of polyurethane or chloroprene rubber. Often the device is transparent or painted red or black. The material is very soft and pliable to the touch. However, it is also very durable.
The service life is from 5 to 7 years, depending on operating conditions. It restores its shape even under the strongest impact, without any deformation.
Externally, autobuffers look like rings with cut holes. This design makes the device as resistant to deformation as possible. The width of the device is identical to the space between the shock absorber coils. There are special recesses on the sides of the buffer that secure the coils of the spring.
What is unique?
Interturn cushions are an affordable tuning of the suspension of a car of any brand. Autobuffers have been tested on more than one thousand cars throughout Russia and the world. They have a number of unique properties:
- Polyurethane pillows can withstand a wide temperature range: from +100 to -100 degrees Celsius.
- Service life from 5 to 7 years.
- Autobuffers perfectly absorb shocks and vibrations, which increases the service life of struts and suspension elements.
- Real inserts are poured, not stamped. This solution allows you to increase shock-absorbing properties.
Autobuffer test results
Testing of original Power Guard GmbH autobuffers allows us to have a clearer understanding of the product’s characteristics. Further, in the form of graphs, the test results are presented with the mounted interturn cushion, as well as without it.
Slalom test car
Impact of lateral force on the wheel:
During the slalom test, a transducer with a sensor was used to measure the lateral force acting on the wheel (as well as during other tests). In this case, the result showed that after installing a branded pillow, the impact force becomes less.
Body roll measurement:
After installing such a buffer, the lateral roll of the body is reduced.
Car test for sudden lane changes
Impact of shear force:
The measurements of the lateral force acting on the wheel obtained during the sharp lane change test indicate that the acting force is decreasing.
Body roll measurement:
Due to the installation of the product, the lateral roll of the body is reduced.