Important Services Are Performed By Shock Absorbers

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19136, 3 October 1936, Page 9

Important Services Are Performed By Shock Absorbers

'J'T-IR shock absorbers of a. ’motor car perform two very important services. They check the tendency of the springs to rebound excessively on rough road surfaces, and they contribute to iho car’s stability by exerting soriie control over its endeavour to roll oil bends. Without shock absorb-

ers a modern ear would be almost uncontrollable when travelling at any speed. It is therefore surprising that motorists do not, treat shock absorbers with the importance they deserve. To-day, hydraulic shock absorbers are practically universal (a few sports models still use the friction type), and for their efficient operation it is essential. that they should be filled with oil at. till times, and that their valves should lie clear and in proper working order.

To appreciate just how big a strain is pot on these devices, the motorist, must realise that, the four shock absorbers of a modern ear operate at 100 to GOO strokes a minute, and generate from L’OOlb to 18001 b pressure at each stroke, according to the nature of the road.

Effects of Maladjustment. If the shock absorbers are not kept in proper working order an excessive amount of fore and aft pitching may lie induced, an unpleasant motion for passengers, and not conducive to good road holding qualities. Furthermore, if a bump in tin" road is hit hard, a broken spring may result, While the springs, not being properly controlled, may go beyond the limit of their upward travel, resulting in the passengers being thrown against the roof ol the ear.

When front shock absorbers arc not working properly, wheel wobble may result, but easily the most dangerous condition arises when one only of the rear “shockers” goes out of action. This may induce skidding, because as the car hits, the bump most of the weight is transferred to that side which is controlled, while on corners the vehicle may prove very difficult to hold.

It is advisable to look over the shock absorbers at least every two months, checking the; level of the oil in them and their operating efficiency, by grasping or standing on first the front bumper bar, and then the rear, and swaying the springs into net ion. If the body of the ear bounds e'xcessivelv, it may be taken tor granted that the shock absorbers are not. up to their work. ’This test should also give a fair idea whether the shock absorbers. are exerting a more or less equal damping effect. Adjustable Shock Absorbers. Alanv of the Uffifi model cars arc fitted with double-acting (i.e., haying a damping effect in each direction) 'hvdraulic, shock absorbers, which can be adjusted, anil the motorist is fortunate if iiis car is fitted with this type, because then lie can suit the power of the shock absorbers to his requirements of the moment. If lie contemplates a long run, during which he will be travelling at a fairly high speed, the shock absorbers can be set to exert a powerful damping effect, and although comfort will suffer to some extent, road holding will be improved, immeasurably. On tiie other hand, if the run in prospect: is to be of the leisurely, sight-seeing order, 1 hen the adjustments can lie slackened off, in order to obtain a more comfortable, flexible spring action. In conclusion, whatever the type ol shock absorber fitted, when making the periodical inspection one should examine the anchorages, to see that they are tight and that nothing is on the verge of breaking.