The information in this article will be as useful and informative as possible for car enthusiasts who are just beginning to study the design features of a car. The question of what front shock absorber struts are, what is the importance of these elements, and how to replace them when they wear out or break down will be covered in detail.
The device of the front shock absorber struts
Many drivers mistakenly draw a parallel between concepts such as a shock absorber strut and the shock absorber itself. Some of them believe that this is an ordinary spring, or call all the elements of this system assembled together a strut. To understand that this is an erroneous opinion, it is worth studying in more detail the question of what racks are and what features of their design are present.
A shock absorber strut is a component that is required to connect components such as the body and wheels of a vehicle. This support is connected to a spring and a damper, which, by the way, is the main component of the shock absorber.
This design contains the following elements:
- Cylinders containing a piston and special hydraulic fluid.
- Hydraulic fluid, which can be presented in the form of a mixture of liquid and gas, as well as a certain mixture of gases. The composition is necessary to transfer forces between two types of shock absorbers.
- Stock. Designed to hold the piston on itself and is required to transmit serious pushing forces.
- A piston with a special bypass valve. It moves in the inside of the cylinder. Used for smooth transmission of vibrations.
- Seals, seal and high-quality sealant.
- An enclosure designed to house the various components of a rack inside.
- Fasteners necessary to connect the main parts of the shock absorber to the car body.
If you study the design of the elements, you can understand that the front shock absorber struts (AS) may or may not be equipped with springs. The choice of one or another option must be made based on the design features of the suspension and an acceptable budget.
Like all car parts, front shock absorber struts wear out over time, break and become completely unusable. If this phenomenon is detected, the front strut shock absorber should be replaced as soon as possible.
MacPherson type rear suspension
On vehicles with independent rear suspension, the MacPherson arrangement is also used. However, it was already developed by another designer named Chapman. His name is often used in the title. The principle of operation and device are similar to the front one.
Rear independent MacPherson suspension
Advantages:
- It is lightweight due to less load on the rear of the car.
- Allows for improved overall handling.
- It has the constructive ability to implement wheel rotation. Relevant for a number of cars with steering rear suspension.
Despite the existing shortcomings, suspension based on guide struts is optimal for most middle-class passenger cars. Some of the decisive advantages remain production cost and maintainability.
The principle of operation of the front struts
To understand how the front shock absorber struts of a vehicle function, the MX should be divided into two main structural elements - a spring and a shock absorber. They are the ones who put the whole mechanism into action.
Spring
The main element of this part is designed to level out a variety of defects in modern road surfaces. It is also necessary to reduce vibration activity, which is reflected on the body during movement. When moving along a heavily broken road, it is thanks to the spring that the driver only feels the smooth rocking of the car. the spring absorbs the most powerful shocks, that is, completely dampens them.
The metal from which the spring is made must have optimal elasticity. Typically, the steel used is one that is optimally suited for a specific vehicle brand, its weight and general specialization.
The spring is installed with one side in a special cup of the rack, and the other part passes through a rubber spacer, which, in turn, rests against the body.
Shock absorber
This is the stand itself, which, when compared with the same spring, is a more complex part in its design. Here are the most basic design features:
- A two-chamber cylinder along which a piston moves, pre-attached to a rod. It is this that is filled with gas or liquid.
- The working composition circulates in the inside of both chambers, on the basis of which all struts, like standard shock absorbers, are divided into several types.
The main task of a shock absorber is to dampen vibrations that come from the spring. The depreciation procedure implies a serious increase in the level of pressure generated by the internal part of the part. Its reduction is carried out due to special valves, which are located directly on the piston. Depending on the general position, the elements automatically close and open so as to effectively regulate the applied loads.
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Let's sum it up
In conclusion, let us once again highlight the main differences between these suspension parts:
- The shock absorber is often part of the strut. While the strut itself is a group of elements (spring stop, rod and shock absorber).
- The cost of the rack is higher.
- The shock absorber is less resistant to lateral loads. Its task is simply to dampen vibrations. As for the stand, it copes with the task with ease.
- Thanks to the stand, the machine becomes more reliable.
- If the shock absorber fails or is missing, you can move the car, but without a strut, you cannot.
- The rod and casing of the strut are more powerful.
If any master or highly qualified specialist says that a strut and shock absorber are synonymous words or interchangeable parts, you can safely evaluate such a specialist according to the most stringent criteria.
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Purpose of the front pillars
Any type of elastic metal from which the spring is made, when exposed to one or another mechanical factor, forms automatic residual vibrations, which cause serious discomfort to passengers and the driver. It is to dampen such shaking and vibrations that the shock absorber was developed and is widely used. It can completely transform sharp shocks into almost imperceptible soft vibrations.
Shock absorber struts play a major role in the structure of the entire vehicle suspension. Due to the relatively small size and ease of maintenance, the manufacturer produces structures at minimal cost.
Due to their small dimensions, the racks take up minimal free space. Due to this, you can easily place additional levers and other structural elements that can make the trip as comfortable as possible.
At the same time as increasing the level of comfort, the front shock absorber strut is designed to perform the following functions:
- maintaining vehicle weight;
- transfer of adhesion force with asphalt pavement to the body;
- maintaining the optimal position of the body in relation to the car wheels;
- eliminating excess roll;
- taking on serious lateral loads.
The price of the struts is an order of magnitude higher compared to the shock absorbers themselves. The reason is a more complex design, as well as the fact that high quality materials are used in production.
Types of front struts
All car struts operate using a special working fluid. Based on the substance used in the cylinder device, front shock absorber struts can be divided into three main types:
- Oil or hydraulic. They are effective when traveling within the city, as well as on country roads.
- Gas. They are distinguished by higher rigidity rates. This is the best option for modern sports cars. It is believed that gas structures belong to the category of more modern devices. But if the car often moves on dirt roads, this category of shock absorbers is not very suitable.
- Gas-oil. As numerous reviews say, this is the optimal solution for any vehicle. All the positive characteristics of the categories of shock absorbers listed above are present here.
The front and rear pillars are different from each other, so you need to be careful during the purchasing process.
The front ones are slightly higher in length and have a smaller diameter. There are no steering knuckles in the rear shock absorber designs. Additionally, rear struts are much more difficult to replace than front struts.
SAAZ
Our list ends with the best Russian manufacturer of car racks. SAAZ products are widely known to most car owners of domestic vehicles.
Struts and shock absorbers are distinguished by their increased reliability, while they are excellent for the climatic conditions of any region of Russia.
The products meet international standards, while production equipment is constantly updated, which allows the brand to compete with famous foreign companies.
The most popular are gas-filled models, which guarantee excellent stability of the machine.
At the same time, turns are easily taken even on large turns. But the durability here leaves much to be desired, which is the main disadvantage of the brand.
Life time
The total operating time of front shock absorbers, as well as the frequency of their replacement, directly depends on three main factors:
- part quality;
- level of compliance with vehicle weight;
- manner of traveling by car.
For this reason, on some machines parts have to be changed every 6 months, while on others the designs last for 7 years.
Such a difference in service life is based on improper operation of vehicles, as well as poorly selected main structures and springs. Neglect of these rules can lead to the fact that the load will not be distributed evenly, which will automatically negatively affect the service life of the entire shock-absorbing system of the car.
Differences
The strut replaces the upper ball and upper control arm. This unit is rigidly fastened at the bottom with two bolts (or more), at the top it is mounted in a rotating device, the rod has a large diameter. The shock absorber is attached through a silent block from below and into a non-rotating device from above; the diameter of the rod is small. The shock absorber takes loads along the axis and works to expand. The rack is designed for multidirectional loads and works both in compression and compression. The strut is more demanding in terms of technical control; in the event of a breakdown, the car is practically uncontrollable. Classic Soviet cars can reach a service station or garage with faulty shock absorbers or even without them at all. A strut is always more expensive than a shock absorber. This is due to the increased rod diameter.
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Signs of problems
If the right or left rack fails, this can lead to an emergency situation. It is for this reason that it is so important to carefully monitor your vehicle. Timely repair work will avoid a large number of problems.
The following signs and characteristic symptoms indicate a breakdown of the front struts:
- during the movement there is a constant creaking, knocking and clicking sound;
- the car constantly rocks and oscillates from side to side;
- the car skids seriously when turning;
- To perform braking, a much longer braking distance is required than with working shock absorbers;
- the vehicle squats heavily as soon as the driver accelerates or brakes. Unpleasant sensations are present both behind and in front;
- the machine clings to the surface very poorly;
- rubber wears out very quickly and unevenly;
- Brake fluid leaks from the shock-absorbing system;
- the supports, spring and rod become covered with destructive corrosion;
- a significant increase in noise level during acceleration. This indicates that the fasteners of the built-in bushings have been damaged;
- the housing is deformed, which is why the piston cannot move normally in the inside of the cylinder;
- The springs are not positioned very correctly, as a result of which the car body begins to sway while driving.
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Such phenomena usually occur due to the poor quality of the main elements of the racks, due to improper installation, as well as due to the natural process of wear and aging of the built-in elements.
It is impossible to say which racks you need to buy. It all depends on material wealth and the vehicle itself. In any case, there is no need to save on these elements. It is worth buying designs that have a large number of positive reviews and are produced by trusted manufacturers.
Front strut replacement process
If the bearing, upper support and the entire strut as a complete assembly have already served their useful life, there is only one way out - replacing the front shock absorbers. This operation on the front of the car can be done with your own hands.
If the left or right strut is worn out, both will need to be replaced at the same time.
When making a replacement, you must rely on a special repair manual. Despite the fact that there are certain differences in the design of different car brands, the algorithm of action is similar in all cases. The sequence of manipulations here is as follows:
- Access to the upper support of the rack is freed. Here you will have to remove the engine compartment seal.
- The plug is removed and the fastening nut of the AC rod is unscrewed. You will need a head, as well as an extension with a knob. It is advisable to carry out this operation when the rack itself has not yet been dismantled.
- It is worth loosening the wheel fasteners, and then jacking up the car to such a position that the tires do not touch the ground. Here you definitely need to ensure that the jack does not fall off.
- The wheel is being removed. Using a metal brush, you need to clean all the structural elements located there. It is advisable to treat them with WD40 and wait for the composition to take effect.
- The fastening nut is unscrewed from the installed stabilizer joint. This must be done simultaneously with the brake hose screw. If the car has ABS, you will need to remove the tube with wiring from the sensor, which is located on the rack.
- After this, the fist fastener is unscrewed. Many experts knock out bolts with a simple hammer. It is worth knowing that some cars have separate bushings. After this manipulation, nothing holds the stand anymore.
- Now it's time to unscrew the nut holding the upper support to the body. The front shock absorber strut is removed simultaneously with the support and spring.
- You will need ties that are designed to remove the spring. Here you will need to get a gap between the cup and the outermost turn.
- Previously, the nut on the rod was already loosened, now it can be completely unscrewed. Only then will it be possible to remove the support and spring at the same time as the cup.
- If the bump stop along with the anthers are worn out, they must also be replaced.
- It is advisable to seriously pump new front struts beforehand. This process is carried out strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
- It is necessary to replace the gaskets and seals, since the old seals will no longer fit.
- Reassembly is in progress.
If you follow these instructions, you can quickly replace the front struts with new ones, ensuring comfortable movement of the car and ensuring a high level of safety. The support will become strong, the suspension will stop swaying and negatively affect the overall operation of the vehicle.
