Replacing the shock absorber strut support bearing: when is it needed and how to do it

Updated: 04/22/2021 15:09:39

Expert: Boris Evgenievich Kononov

*Review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

Shock absorbers are designed to combat road unevenness in a car. Shock absorber supports are used to connect these units to the car body and suspension. They differ in design and dimensions, durability and price. Today, the Russian market offers a full range of shock absorber supports from different manufacturers. To choose the most suitable unit in terms of price and quality, we invite you to get acquainted with the recommendations of experts.

Support bearing mechanism design

In fact, the weight of the front of the car (including the engine) rests on this unit. When the front wheels turn, the bearing experiences lateral loads, which accelerates its wear.

Important! Operation of faulty supports can lead to damage to shock absorber struts and steering.

A typical arrangement of support bearings can be seen in the diagram:

Diagram of support elements

Even a minor malfunction or critical wear of a bearing immediately affects the operation of the suspension and steering.

Video on the topic

07.11.2015 111

A support bearing (in common parlance “opornik”) is a subspecies that belongs to rolling bearings. This type of bearing is widely used on modern cars due to its ease of installation, ability to withstand high loads, and excellent performance characteristics.

The “support” is located under the hood, at the top point of the “glass” of the body, in which the shock-absorbing strut is installed. The support bearing is designed to connect the body and shock absorbers; thanks to the “support”, the weight of the car is transferred to the wheels, which rotate. This element of the chassis is very important; without it, handling and a comfortable ride would be out of the question.

What distinguishes a journal bearing from a regular bearing is its thick outer ring (cage). This design feature is explained by the need to withstand severe loads and impacts that come from the wheels.

Checking serviceability: do-it-yourself diagnostics

A more detailed check can be done using the assistant:

1. Open the hood and have a helper turn the steering wheel (if you have power steering, start the engine). When you place your hand on the support, you will feel impacts and clicks. The fault can be more accurately determined using a car stethoscope.
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   If you don’t have a car stethoscope, a regular medical stethoscope will do.

2. Rock the car from side to side with the help of a partner. A faulty support will make knocking noises.

Causes of shock absorber and bearing wear

Unexpected failure of shock absorber struts is almost always associated with wear of the main elements: the valve system and the oil seal. Among the main reasons for the premature aging of parts are such “trivial” misfortunes as the accumulation of dust and dirt particles, corrosion, damage to the boot, deformation, scratches and scuffs, leaks and breakdowns, as well as initially low quality of products, which coupled with unfavorable conditions ( roads, traffic jams, temperature changes) leads to a reduction in the service life of elements.

The upper supports are responsible for connecting the shock absorbers to the car body, and they bear the main load, which is why the supports fail more often than other components.

There are several reasons for wear: bearing deformation, damage to the rubber element, loose fastenings, general malfunctions of the suspension system. All this leads to a decrease in the elasticity of shock-absorbing supports and premature aging. As a result, road surface unevenness and accompanying vibration are absorbed by other suspension elements that are not intended for such tests. The result, as you understand, is very deplorable - up to serious repairs and significant expenses.

Replacing a bearing with a separate element

If the support itself is in order, and the fault concerns only the bearing, it can be replaced separately. To do this, remove the rack with the support (the process is described above) and deal with it separately.

Having disassembled the support (the design is different for everyone, but the principle is approximately the same), we inspect the bearing. As a rule, the balls are worn unevenly, there are burrs on the holder, and the seals are damaged.

It is possible that the problem can be solved with little blood

Although journal bearings can usually be disassembled and individual components can be accessed, there is no point in repairing them.

It is hardly profitable to tinker with the component parts of the support bearing, trying to repair them

Firstly, the bearing itself separately from the support is not that expensive.

Secondly, this is a critical unit, so replacing balls or seals using a makeshift method will not lead to anything good. Therefore, it is a clear replacement.

It is safest to replace the entire bearing

Whether to change bearings in pairs or not - there is no consensus. Typically, paired replacements are made more due to reinsurance. Experienced service station workers determine this need based on the general condition of the car’s suspension. It also happens that it is not practical to change the second bearing - why throw away a well-functioning part?

How to carry out work on an Opel Astra (video)

Why is shock absorber wear dangerous?

First of all, faulty shock absorbers are always a risk of losing control of the car. Skidding, rolls, unexpected bouncing, increased braking distance, general decrease in control of the road situation - this is not a complete list of troubles that can arise when these suspension elements malfunction.

In addition, a rationalistic aspect is added to the safety issue: improper functioning of shock absorbers and upper supports inevitably leads to wear of other parts - most often, brakes and tires.

Finally, we must not forget about the general condition of the car and the driver: due to the less obedient and predictable response of the car, the driver is forced to constantly be on alert, and therefore experience double fatigue and stress. What a pleasure it is to drive!

Installation options

There are two main types of stem mounting: through a bearing and using a sleeve. Bushings in budget options are made of aluminum and act as a sliding bearing. Expensive bearings use more complex bearings that have an angular contact design. The main purpose of the bearing is to ensure easy rotation of the shock absorber curtain. It is also worth noting the existence of parts with forced rotation of the rod.

The support of the shock absorber struts of a non-separable type can be equipped with a thicket to hold the spring or have a simplified design. In the latter version, the support bowl is fixed on a support or mounted on a rod. In another version, it is complemented by a rubber cushion with a recess for spring coils. Access to an installed support of this type is possible only from the wheel arch. This is due to the fact that the part most often experiences loads coming from below, and to ensure greater reliability, emphasis is needed on the body part. In this case, the bolts do not turn, since they are tightly connected to the outer casing. There are locking nuts in the trunk or under the hood.

Which shock absorbers and supports should I choose?

Read more about how to select shock absorbers and related elements here. In this case, the main criteria that should be relied on are the operating conditions and design features of the machine.

Choose proven and high-quality brands - your safety directly depends on the proper operation of the suspension system.

We recommend the clear leaders in the field of shock absorbers and other suspension elements - companies KYB (KAYABA) and BORT.

KYB shock absorbers and upper supports are impeccable quality, top production technologies, innovative developments and strict control at every stage of production. Reliability and excellent performance are confirmed by numerous tests, tests and certificates. That is why most auto giants equip their cars with KYB shock absorbers on production lines.

BORT shock absorbers and upper mounts come in over 3,000 types and specifications and are sold in more than 80 countries. Automatic regulation and adjustment to driving conditions, resistance to temperature changes, an ideal combination of comfort and safety, as well as compatibility with the model range of all leading manufacturers provide BORT with recognition from both automakers and ordinary motorists around the globe.

* Please check the applicability of parts specifically for your car with our managers by phone (calls within Russia are free).

In IXORA stores you can always buy shock absorbers and upper supports of all the most popular types and brands. And our qualified specialists will help you with your choice!

Varieties

Parts, the installation of which is carried out with special eyes, are supplemented with silent blocks or rubber bushings necessary for connection with the body and suspension of the car. It is worth noting that the upper support of the shock absorber strut has become most widespread in passenger vehicles.

Based on the type of construction, supports are classified into two types:

The latter are made in the form of a single element made of metal and rubber and are most often used in the front suspension. The main part of the structure is the connection of a rubber cushion with an internal and external steel bowl. Fixation to the body is made by the outer casing, which has several holes for fasteners. The rod is installed in the central part, and in the upper part there is a device for limiting backlash, which is similar to a steel bowl.

Symptoms of a problem

Noise coming from under the trunk or hood is the main sign of a breakdown. Most often it appears when driving on a dirt road or poor-quality asphalt. Not only damaged parts must be replaced, but also those with deformation or sufficient wear. The best option would be to replace it before characteristic noise occurs, for example, when the VAZ shock absorber itself is installed.

You can make sure that the shock absorbers need to be replaced by pressing firmly on all corners of the car. The machine should not bounce after pressing; otherwise, it is recommended to immediately work on the supports. But this method is not suitable for all cars; for example, for SUVs, hand effort will not be enough. The way out of the situation is to contact a car service center. Professionals will be able to determine the degree of wear, identify the presence of mechanical damage and leaks.

The regularity of replacement depends not only on the mileage, but also on the load on the car, the quality of the roads and the make of the car itself. The support of the shock absorber struts wears out faster with frequent transportation of heavy loads and careless driving.

Consequences of late repairs

A worn shock absorber mount will reduce the service life of shock absorbers, springs, connecting rods and steering rods. The operation of the ABS system is disrupted, the wheel alignment angle is lost and, as a result, the steering wheel wobbles and uneven wear of the tire tread appears.

It is worth noting that replacing the front shock absorber supports must be done in pairs. This opinion is shared by the overwhelming majority of service stations. If it's time to change the right support, then the left one too, even if it is still serviceable. Otherwise, body roll may occur when turning, and the car will begin to pull to the side.

When replacing shock absorbers, it is also recommended to replace the supports.

Model selection issues

Modern auto stores are able to provide a wide selection of spare parts in question from all over the world from various brands and at different prices and quality. Car manufacturers recommend purchasing spare parts only of the same brand as the car you are using, i.e. own production. Authorized dealers and companies that manufacture products under licenses from automakers are subject to slightly less criticism in this regard. In any case, a high-quality part is supplied in individual packaging, which must contain information about the manufacturer, catalog number of the spare part, serial number and quality mark. This information is also duplicated on the body of the part.