Shock Absorber – Suspension

Suspension – Shock absorbers – Lowering springs

The suspension is the system that regulates the contact and grip of the car through the tires and shock absorbers with the road surface and is one of the basic systems that the car has for our safe and stable movement.

Shock absorbers and springs are the main components of the suspension system, they are responsible for adjusting and absorbing the shocks that contribute to the "hold" of the car.

Timely replacement of shock absorbers is imperative for the safety of the car.

Our company has several brands of shock absorbers to replace the factory ones. He can inform you correctly about the purchase and installation of the shock absorbers that your car needs, either for their replacement, or for the purpose of improvement in combination with a change of springs to modify the suspension in the hardness and height of the car. The biggest names in shock absorbers, such as Kayaba, Bilstein, Monroe, Nipparts, Boce, and lowering springs, Apex, MAD, COBRA

In our company you will find at very competitive prices a wide range of shock absorbers and lowering springs so that you can restore your car's suspension or improve it according to your driving needs and requirements.

You will be completely satisfied with our services, the purchase and installation of your new shock absorbers, springs, the change in the road behavior of your car.

Even more powerful engines and faster cars mean that suspension systems are an important aspect of the automotive industry. These systems continue to play an increasingly important role in, because the chassis, springs and shock absorbers in particular, which provide the link between the suspensions of the wheels and the body, thereby ensuring optimal contact with the road surface.

Read on for a simple explanation of how this all works

The suspension and its main parts

wheel
spring
shock absorber

The role of the post

The various parts of the post contribute to

good contact of the wheel with the ground
safety, road holding and braking
comfort

Types of springs

Whatever form the suspension springs take, coil, rubber, spring, air, oil-gas or torsion bar type, their mission is to lift the weight of the body. They are therefore the "connecting link" between the car and the road.

A faulty spring that gives out easily or shows slack, also affects the characteristics of the vehicle (vehicle height, geometry of the front system, symmetrical distribution of the weight on the wheels).

However, replacing a faulty shock absorber is not enough to restore the proper functioning of the suspension.

Contrary to what most people believe, shock absorbers do not carry the weight of the vehicle. In contrast, the primary purpose of shock absorbers is to control the movement of the springs.

Shock absorbers are basically oil pumps

A piston is attached to the end of a rod and works by compressing hydraulic fluid into the pressure tube. As the suspension moves up and down, pressurized hydraulic fluid is forced into the piston through tiny holes or orifices. However, these orifices allow only a very small amount of liquid to pass through the piston.

This slows down the movement of the piston, which in turn slows down the movement of the spring and suspension. The amount of resistance a shock absorber develops depends on the speed of the suspension and the number and size of the piston ports. The faster the suspension moves, the more resistance the shock absorber provides.

As a result, the shock absorber and the spring reduce the following situations in the vehicle movement

bounces
tilt or sway
sinking when braking
seat when accelerating

How do we understand faulty shock absorbers when driving?

The wheels lose contact with the road
Defective shock absorbers affect braking

On a dry road with an uneven surface, the braking distance at 80 km per hour can be increased by 2.6 meters. At 50 km per hour, the braking distance can be increased by 2.3 meters. This difference can prove lifesaving and prevent the accident. (Test carried out by Germany's Rheinland)

Defective shock absorbers affect visibility at night

Περιορισμένη ορατότητα
Θάμπωμα των απέναντι οδηγών

Faulty shock absorbers affect road holding

Lateral support

In cornering and on dry roads, the maximum safe speed of a vehicle whose shock absorbers are 50% worn can be reduced by 10%.

Hydrogliding

A front-wheel drive vehicle moving at speed on a wet road surface (6 mm water layer) and whose shock absorbers are 50% worn, may start to skid at a speed 10% lower than that of the same vehicle with new shock absorbers. (Test carried out by Germany's Rheinland)

Faulty shock absorbers affect the driver's reflexes

Fatigue

Under normal conditions, faulty shock absorbers make the driver more tired and increase their reaction time in critical situations by 26%. (Test conducted by the University of Louvain Belgium)

Damages due to damage to the shock absorbers
Visual inspection
What are the signs of a faulty shock absorber?

JOINTS

If the shock absorber at this point shows cracks or warps, either due to long-term use or rust, there is a risk that it will break.

DEFORMATION OF THE MAIN BODY

Some distortion in the shock body can cause the piston to slow down or stop moving inside.

LEAKAGE

When an oil leak occurs, it means that the shock absorber is underperforming and therefore losing its ability to absorb shocks.

JOINT COATING RINGS

A damaged or deformed such ring can cause noises when accelerating, braking or jumping over obstacles.

THE PISTON ROD (CONNECTING ROD)

If it is rusty, it will quickly destroy the oil seal and thus oil leaks will occur.

UNCONTROLLED BEHAVIOR

The vehicle receives all the shocks directly. This will cause damage to some or all of the links and make the vehicle unsafe.

TIRE WEAR

Local tire wear most often indicates faulty shock absorbers.

Physical control

Damages due to damage to the shock absorbers

If the vehicle wobbles more than once when you push it down, it means that its shock absorbers are worn. However, it should be noted that the modern car is equipped with many types of stabilizer beams (rebound beam, anti-sag beam, anti-roll bar), which soften the oscillations, but this does not reduce the importance of shock absorbers in driving behavior.

EFFECTS

Drivers subconsciously adapt to the progressive wear of the shock absorbers, even though this means that the vehicle exhibits reduced road holding. A shock absorber in bad condition means increased wear and tear on the vehicle's mechanical parts.

Suspension has traditionally been a headache for manufacturers trying to marry comfort and dynamic vehicle control.

See how it works and what it consists of

A hard suspension usually offers better control of the vehicle, but it is unbearable in daily use, especially on Greek-type roads.

A soft suspension is extremely comfortable in everyday use, but when the pace picks up or the turns come, vehicle control is problematic creating a feeling of insecurity for driver and passengers.

Suspension architectures

Why is basic post architecture important?

Let's attempt a transfer

Imagine that the two wheels of an axle are a married couple. In an interpersonal relationship the couple has communication, but in the case of the wheels we desire the exact opposite. The less the couple communicates, the better.

But why is this better?

The basic answer has to do with the fact that if, for example, a wheel falls into a pothole, we want the axle's mating wheel to be as unaffected as possible.

So the two major categories of suspension architectures are independent and non-independent layouts. Independent suspension ultimately means that what one wheel faces, the other does not know about, while non-independent means that the "problems" of one wheel also concern the other.

Nowadays, the most classic non-(semi)independent suspension is the semi-rigid axle and the most classic independent is the multi-link axle. At the top of the suspensions are placed the double scissors, while at the base is the rigid axle.

SHOCK ABSORBER

A key factor in a suspension is the shock absorber. Its main aim is for the wheel of the vehicle to be in constant contact with the road surface but also to deal with the oscillations it receives from the springs. This may be obvious on a very good road surface, but not so much when the road is not good.

As a principle of operation, the role of the shock absorber is to convert the kinetic energy it receives into viscous friction through the oil inside it. The two main categories of shock absorbers are adjustable and non-adjustable. On adjustable shock absorbers, on production cars this setting is electronically controlled.

Thus, the flow of oil to them is controlled depending on the selection of the corresponding program by the driver (e.g. through a movable armature which regulates the supply of oil to the shock absorber). The existence of this type of shock absorber requires an additional suspension control unit in the vehicle as well as a number of sensors that send their signals to the unit.

Non-adjustable shocks have a factory default setting and the driver should go with that.

What is the shock absorber's bound and rebound

Bound refers to shock absorber compression

Imagine a car the moment the wheel goes over a bump in the road surface. This abnormality creates a vertical force which compresses the shock absorber. The amount of this force depending on the damper setting will go to a percentage of the car's chassis and a percentage to the damper itself.

If the adjustment concerns, so that the force is mainly received by the chassis, then the suspension is hard with what this implies, if the adjustment concerns, that this force is mainly taken over by the shock absorber, then the damping is better.

Rebound, on the other hand, refers to the rebound of the shock absorber to its initial position under the influence of the force it receives from the spring. Here the challenge is the rate of return of the damper to the original position. If it returns too quickly then the wheel will start bouncing. If it comes back late, then the wheel will still be in the air after the obstacle has passed which is also undesirable.

The ratio of forces between bound-rebound is 1:3.

The role of springs

The spring is a partner of the shock absorber in absorbing the vibrations of the road surface, it is responsible for maintaining the height of the body and is also the connecting link between suspended and unsprung masses. Suspended masses are those above the spring (practically the vast majority of the vehicle) and unsprung, those below (e.g. shock absorbers, brakes, suspension links, wheel bearings, tires, rims, etc. ).

The most classic type of springs are steel coils. In general, springs are characterized by a spring constant, the higher it is, the harder the spring.

In addition to the conventional coil springs, however, there are also pneumatic ones that make up the so-called air suspension. Here the role of the spring is played by bottles which receive air under pressure through a compressor present in the car. Depending on the pressure inside the bottle, the damping of the vehicle is adjusted as well as its height. Springs of this type offer superior road characteristics, but also significantly increase costs due to the peripheral systems required.

The unsung heroes

Silent blocks are rubber gaskets on the suspension links. Their compliance or not significantly affects the level of comfort and grip of the vehicle. Anti-twist bars of corresponding compliance also affect the degree of independence of the suspension.

The chemistry of the tires, their hardness and the thickness of the profile also play an important role, while even the driver and passenger seats themselves form the final suspension, with the most sophisticated, so-called suspension (driver's seats) offering significant comfort.

Finally the unsprung masses are very important. The lower their weight, the better grip we have, the suspension becomes more comfortable, but the performance of the vehicle in acceleration and deceleration also improves. This is one of the reasons why aluminum links are often used in suspensions, very light aluminum or magnesium alloy wheels (in some extreme cases also carbon fiber) and braking systems with ceramic materials combined with carbon fiber.

Find at AUTO RINA everything for the suspension of your car at the best prices on the market.

Osrav as a laboratory specialized in the repair & regeneration of shock absorbers based in Vittorio Veneto

osrav then extends its expertise to other types of additional components in the automotive sector. In addition to processing a wide range of car and truck shock absorbers among the wider market, osrav can have among its products a valid collection of load-compensating springs, aimed at strengthening the rear suspension of the engine in cases of overload.

Over time, osrav has distributed its products in various markets (50% of the Italian market and 50% of the foreign market) and can now boast of its presence in more than thirty countries on different continents. Today it is distinguished by its deep knowledge of the suspension, which is considered an integral part of the wheel and brake system.

In addition, the extensive experience in the development of automobile shock absorbers, allowed the acquisition of know-how for the manufacture of the original models of shock absorbers integrated into vehicles. The adjustable nitrogen oil shock absorbers it manufactures give you the ability to set up the car to your liking. Discover the ideal sport setting by manually influencing the stiffness. They allow you to repair them and are available for many types of cars.

MAD SUSPENSION SYSTEMS

Since 1976 the Dutch company Mad Holding BV has been developing solutions for the automotive industry, always focusing on the needs and requirements of the driver. It ensures safety, comfort and enjoyment for the one behind the wheel.

Mad Power Springs the power, in your springs

For personal or professional use

There are always times when vehicles are forced to carry heavy loads. For example, when you go on holiday with your family or you need to tow a vehicle, trailer, caravan or boat. Whenever a 75kg spindle head is added to the tow bearing, it's only natural that the basic vehicle suspension needs some support.

Also if your car is constantly carrying a heavy load, such as a gas tank or equipment, it is advisable to add the extra power of MAD Power Springs to your suspension. With Power Springs, you will notice that your car's handling on the road improves positively.

Air bubbles

MAD's “Interactive Suspension” provides the ultimate in suspension control and capabilities. With "Interactive Suspension" you have the possibility to adjust the size of the action of the springs and achieve the maximum possible comfort and the best possible result. The pressure inside the blowers can be adjusted from the instrument panel using an optional compressor located inside the vehicle or simply at each air filling station.

By controlling the action of the springs, you can control the height of the vehicle. This can be very useful, for example to tilt the vehicle when loading for easy access or, if necessary, to lower the height of the truck to access a parking space.

The “Interactive Suspension” suspension is available in three basic options

1. Red blower
The “Interactive Suspension” suspension system for general applications. Applied in the middle of the coil springs provides extra support and comfort.

2. Black blower
It provides extra power and adaptability. Its construction allows the springs to inflate and deflate providing maximum power.

3. Black double chamber blower
The ultimate solution for maximum load capacity. Only suitable for trucks with a fixed wheel axle for the load over 1350 kg.

Cross Country Springs

The “Cross Country” springs are a highly specialized addition to the MAD suspension system catalog. They are used to lift the vehicle. A “Cross Country” spring set provides the ultimate solution for any driver traveling on rough roads or in poor conditions. Also, a set of "Cross Country" springs enables the driver to avoid obstacles. This set is intended for ambulance drivers, firefighters, etc.

Lowering springs

The powerful MAD Sportive lowering springs give your car a lower profile and significantly improve stability on the road. At high speeds, the car will have better grip on the road surface and provide a pleasant and dynamic driving sensation in tight turns. Lowering your car creates a whole new look.

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