Shock absorbers are one of the most vital parts of any car. When your vehicle starts shaking and bouncing because you are driving on uneven roads or hitting potholes, the shock absorbers are the ones that make sure you don’t run off the road. Not just that, but shock absorbers are also diminishing the consequences of driving on bad roads so that you don’t need to repair your broken suspension system or bent rims. This is why shock absorbers play such a crucial role in the performances of cars.
Most shock absorbers are guaranteed to operate for around 100,000 miles, but what do you do when they run out? Here is where we come in. Today we are going to present the top seven best shock absorbers that you can purchase online. We know that not everyone is a professional mechanic, and this is why we are also going to answer the internet’s most asked questions about shock absorbers and present you with a buying guide. Without any further ado, let’s get into it.
If you are not sure what shock absorbers are best for your car, then you need to take into consideration the following factors:
· Compatibility
The first thing that you should do when searching for shock absorbers for your vehicle, or any parts for that matter, is to make sure that they are compatible. Otherwise, you will have to deal with the headache of sending back the car part and trying to get a full refund. Fortunately, you will have an easy time figuring out if a product is compatible with your car because most shock absorbers are usually manufactured for specific car models.
· The Construction
Another necessary factor that you should always consider when purchasing shock absorbers is the build quality. This should come as no surprise, but the performance and durability of shock absorbers depend entirely on the materials that are used in their construction. The most common materials for shocks are aluminum and steel. Both are good options, but they have their downsides. Steel shocks are not adjustable, while aluminum shocks are expensive. However, spending a couple of extra bucks is always worth it in the long run.
· Driving Conditions
What many people tend to overlook when searching for the best shock absorbers is to consider their driving conditions. Do you enjoy off-road adventures? If that is the case, then you need to search for shocks that can withstand more bounce. If you are only interested in improving the handling of your car when driving on country roads, then you can go for shocks that are designed especially for gravel and dirt roads. You can also go for premium and more expensive shock absorbers that can adapt to all road conditions.
· How Easy It Is to Install the Shocks
Another essential factor that gets overlooked is the difficulty of the installation process. This can be quite problematic because some shocks will require you to visit a specialist that needs to make certain adjustments for the shocks to fit your car. Luckily, many other shock absorbers are super easy to install. In fact, they don’t require any special tools, and you can do this from your garage if you are skilled with a screwdriver.
· Pick the Right Type of Shocks
There are five types of shock absorbers, and figuring out which one is the right one for your car is essential. Check out the five types below:
1. Standard
Just as their name implies, standard shock absorbers are designed to fit almost all car models. The systems that they use are similar to OEMs, and installing them is not very complicated.
2. Heavy-Duty
If you are driving a big vehicle and you carry lots of cargo, then you should consider going for heavy-duty shock absorbers. This type of shocks are gas-charged, and they excel at providing more stabilization when carrying a heavy load.
3. Overload
What makes overload shock absorbers stand out from the heavy-duty ones is the fact that they use a spring coil over to the piston so that they can provide more resistance. Therefore, overload shocks will balance the weight so that your car is easier to handle.
4. Adjustable Air Shocks
Adjustable air shocks are the most versatile type. They will adapt to all road conditions, and they feature an inflatable gas bag. Not only that, but they are also flexible.
5. Automatic Level Control
Similar to how the adjustable air shocks quickly adapt to all road conditions, the automatic level control shocks are suitable for both regular driving and heavy hauling. What sets them apart is that they are equipped with a unique system that detects what type of road you are driving on and will automatically adjust the pressure.
If you started noticing weird vibrations when driving, then this is the first symptom that your shock absorbers are failing. This happens when the valving or piston seal that is contained inside shocks wear out, and it no longer sits properly. Another sign that you are going to notice when your shock absorbers are no longer functional is swerving and nose-diving when braking. The valving or piston seal is also the one that’s causing this problem. The fluid flows uncontrolled inside the seal will move the piston within the cylinder, thus causing your car to swivel.
The short answer is yes! You will notice a significant improvement in the handling and comfort of your car when you install a premium shock absorber. This is thanks to the fact that shocks will make all rides feel smooth, even though you might be driving on bad roads. Additionally, the shock absorbers will remove all vibrations and swivels.
The question that gets asked the most on car forums is, how often should I replace my shock absorbers? Unfortunately, there isn’t an exact answer. The reason behind this is that it all depends on how often you are driving on bad roads and the build quality of your shock absorbers. Typically, you will need to replace your shocks every four to five years.
The best thing that you can do when it comes to replacing your shock absorbers is to replace all four of them at the same time. Even though there is only one that is causing problems, mechanics are recommending that you should always replace them in pairs. A new shock will have different effects on the handling of your car. It’s better to replace all four of them so that you don’t have to deal with weird steering.
If the rear shocks are the only parts that you are replacing, then your car doesn’t need an alignment. Although, you will need to visit a mechanic’s shop for alignment if you are also replacing the struts because this will disturb the front-end components that need to be temporarily removed to access the struts.
