Question " what's better"Is perhaps one of the most frequently asked questions on the Internet. We, people, tend to doubt the choice of this or that product, thing, or whatever ... Drivers are also people, so we have no less doubts than a common man in the street. We are constantly making some kind of choice, starting with the choice of a car and ending with. Moreover, every day, unnoticed for ourselves, we make hundreds of vital decisions, for example, performing a complex maneuver, on the correct implementation of which more than one human life sometimes depends ...

Structurally, a shock absorber is a cylinder with a piston, on which there are valves with different flow areas and different flow rates. In the case of oil shock absorbers, it passes through the valve holes, when compressed, it quickly passes through the holes, and back valves limit the speed of fluid passage, thereby preventing the shock absorber from stretching quickly.

Shock absorbers with gas chambers are called gas shock absorbers. There is only one cylinder in gas shock absorbers, in which the pressure is approximately 25 bar. The floating piston separates the gas from the oil, preventing them from mixing, thanks to this high gas pressure, the oil is not capable of foaming. The same chambers are used as a damping element in gas shock absorbers, but instead of them a special gas is used. According to a nonlinear law, the stiffness of a gas shock absorber increases when stretched or compressed, which, by the way, is not typical for oil shock absorbers.

The main differences between gas-oil shock absorbers

We have already figured out how gas and oil shock absorbers work and what they consist of, the question remains - what kind of "animal is this"? gas-oil shock absorber... In a nutshell, the gas-oil shock absorber is a kind of compromise between gas and oil shock absorbers. The gas-oil shock absorber has almost the same structure as the oil shock absorber, it also consists of two cylinders. The upper part is filled with nitrogen, the cylinder itself is under a pressure of 2.5-5 bar, which increases the efficiency of the shock absorbers. The principle is as follows - the higher the gas pressure on the oil, the faster the shock absorbers will react, while the car's suspension will be stiffer.

Let's summarize

Oil shock absorbers softer, since they use only oil, which, like all fluids, is almost not subject to compression, as a result, the stroke, as well as the force of the shock absorber, will directly depend on the check valves in the piston of the shock absorber cylinder. In terms of movement, the oil shock absorber will be softer and more energetic.

Gas shock absorbers can be called more rigid, since the second working medium of the shock absorber is gas, which itself is capable of being compressed, despite the fact that it is under high pressure. As a result, the gas will also take part in softening the vehicle's travel and the force on the shock absorber rod. All this makes the shock absorber more rigid and less inertial in relation to the movement of the rod. The main "feature" of the gas shock absorber is its ability to change the stiffness properties depending on the road, by means of a gas chamber, which dampens vibrations due to its nonlinearity during operation. The gas shock absorber is less soft and less elastic, therefore, when driving on uneven sections, the suspension with gas shock absorbers can seem very stiff and extremely uncomfortable. However, rigidity is at the same time an advantage of this type of struts, since a long stroke and increased softness are simply unacceptable for a fast ride or maneuvers.

So which shock absorbers are better - gas or oil, or is it gas-oil?

This issue is quite controversial, so it cannot be said for sure that this one is better and that one is worse. Everyone must decide for himself what is more priority for him, based on what is written above. In addition, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of the automaker, it is the manufacturer who knows for sure which shock absorber can provide the necessary resistance, and a comfortable ride for passengers. Another thing is when manufacturers install shock absorbers of a "budgetary" sample in order to save money, and you are not satisfied with this, in which case you can set your own version. However, those devices that you are going to install must have parameters as close as possible in order not to disrupt the driving performance of the car.

Service life and price of shock absorbers

As you know, gas shock absorbers have a more complex design, primarily due to additional damping chambers filled with gas. In addition, through the use of gas seals. For the manufacture of such devices, a more radical approach is needed, and the seals themselves must have a more rigid design.

As for the service life, it will primarily depend on the shock absorbers themselves, as well as the roads along which the vehicle will be operated. If the shock absorber is of high quality, it will be able to last 60,000 km, or even more. However, if we compare resource of oil and gas devices, under equal operating conditions and quality, the oil shock absorber will last longer due to the simplicity of its design. In addition, the cost of oil shock absorbers will be approximately 20-30% lower compared to gas ones.

The nature of driving depends on the shock absorber, so its choice should be taken seriously.

Let's start with the fact that this part is correctly called the "shock absorber" and not the "strut". Any suspension specialist will tell you that this is the last thing drivers think about. In fact, among the noisiest, most glittering, and plainly visible parts of a car, these inconspicuous components are the most underestimated. Their function is to maintain traction during acceleration, braking and cornering, while providing passenger comfort in the cabin. Agree, this is important. While damping calibration is the last thing to do when tweaking the suspension, it is they who are responsible for what the car's chassis will be like. So, we have prepared a classification of the most common types of shock absorbers:

Single tube shock absorbers

Where: Audi A4, Mazda MX-5 Miata

The monotube shock absorber body is divided into two chambers: oil and gas. The piston with rod moves downward and creates a balancing force. During the compression process, oil is forced out of the stroke into the housing. When working on rebound, shimstack controls the fluid flow. The gas in the chamber (most often nitrogen) is compressed and takes the entire blow upon itself, and only then the oil begins to pass through. The balancing force is determined by the shape, size and number of washers on the shock absorber piston, piston diameter, body diameter, and gas pressure.

Twin-tube shock absorbers

Where: Cadillac CT6, Chevrolet Impala, Ram 1500

As the name implies, this type of shock absorber consists of two concentric cylinders. The inner cylinder is filled with oil and also contains the piston and rod. As in single-tube shock absorbers, a rod with a piston moves inside the cavity, on which valves are mounted, which determine the forces of both rebound and compression. An optional foot valve directs oil into the outer cylinder (reservoir) during compression, increasing the damping factor. When operating on rebound, oil returns to the reservoir of the main chamber through the check valve. The outer cylinder is partially filled with compressible gas, which compensates for the vacated volume of the rod and helps the oil from the outer cylinder to enter the inner cylinder during rebound operation. The balancing force is determined by the same factors as in monotube dampers, but with the additional influence of the bottom valve. Adjusts the twin-tube shock by adding or removing washers.

Internal bypass shock absorber

Where: Ford F-150 Raptor

In the Fox twin-tube shock absorbers in automobiles, fluid flows through multiple bypass pipes. The working fluid bypasses the piston and flows through the holes into the inner cylinder, filling the area behind the piston. Some of the oil also passes through the piston pin and the bottom valve when compressed. The size, position and adjustment of the holes progressively increases the damping factor as the suspension is compressed or rebounded. When the stem passes through the last bypass orifice, the hydraulic fluid preferentially passes through the shimstom attached to the stem, which significantly increases the damping force. The foot valve plays an important role during the entire compression stroke and regulates the flow of working fluid to the external reservoir. This provides stable regulation of compression resistance and reduces cavitation (air pockets in oil) when driving at high speeds.

(Note to graphic): “If you increase the spring rate before driving, you can predict what will happen. With magnetorheological shock absorbers, even after many years, I am still learning a lot, still experimenting. I keep on finding something new ", - Mike Hurley, Chevrolet Vehicle Performance Engineer. He has been debugging magnetorheological dampers since they were used in the 2003 Cadillac XLR..

Magnetorheological shock absorbers

Where: Cadillac CTS-V, Chevrolet Corvette, Ferrari 488GTB, Lamborghini Huracan

Magnetorheological dampers do not have damping coefficient valves. The movement of the wheels and car body is controlled by changing the viscosity of the oil. And although the design of the shock absorbers is relatively standard (the rod at the end of the piston moves inside the cavity with hydraulic fluid), the principle of their operation is different. The new generation magnetorheological shock absorbers use two electromagnetic coils located in the piston. It is they who generate the local magnetic field. The hydraulic inside the shock absorbers contains tiny particles of ferromagnetic that are randomly distributed until an electric current passes through the magnetic coils. The current passing through the magnetic coils creates a magnetic field that distributes the particles into rows. As the orientation of the magnetic particles changes, the viscosity of the liquid also changes. When pressure from either side of the piston is strong enough to break these rows of particles, fluid flows through the passages, propelling the piston. The strength of the alignment of the particles is proportional to the strength of the magnetic field, therefore, changes in the current strength of the coils lead to a change in the damping strength.

Shock absorber equipped with a slide valve

Where: Chevrolet Camaro ZL 1LE, Chevrolet Colorado ZR2

The shock absorber is an indispensable part of the suspension of a modern car. Without it, the operation of the machine in conditions of constant vertical swing will be impossible.

Shock absorbers reduce the frequency of vibration of the springs that support the car body and make it smoother on uneven roads.

Today, the shock absorber market is represented by the widest range of products, so the question of which shock absorbers are the most reliable and safe - hydraulic or gas - does not lose its relevance. Each type of shock absorber has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.

Hydraulic shock absorbers perform the function of a significant decrease in the amplitude of vibration of the suspension during compression or relaxation. The hydraulic shock absorber consists of a working cylinder, a compensation chamber, a rod with a piston, a guide sleeve and a shock-absorbing fluid - oil. The effect of damping vibrations is achieved due to oil, which, moving from one part of the shock absorber to another, takes on the resistance of the springs, thereby extinguishing their destructive force.

Disadvantages of hydraulic shock absorbers:

• Low heat dissipation: when driving for a long time, the oily fluid in the shock absorber can overheat and lose its binding properties, which will lead to a loss of its efficiency
• Low efficiency when operating a car on rough roads with frequent sharp movements of the piston, the oil is mixed with air bubbles, its viscosity decreases, which negatively affects the operation of the shock absorber and can disable it

The main advantages of hydraulic shock absorbers are their affordable price and small size.

Gas-filled shock absorbers differ from hydraulic ones in that the compensation chamber in them is filled with gas, which is pumped there under high pressure. This is due to the significant advantage of gas shock absorbers over oil shock absorbers - high pressure forces the piston to always be in a compressed state, due to which, when overcoming irregularities in the road, the shock absorber stiffness changes nonlinearly, thereby providing better vehicle control.

When choosing a shock absorber, you can be guided by different criteria for the operating conditions of the car, driving style, views on the level of rigidity and convenience.

The serviceability of any shock absorber must be monitored, because in the event of its failure, the quality of adhesion of the tires of the car to the roadway deteriorates significantly, which reduces its stability and controllability when driving on roads with irregularities, in turns, and also increases the braking distance. In addition, wear on all suspension and brake parts is accelerated.

In order to avoid negative consequences, defective shock absorbers must be replaced or repaired.

It is recommended to apply a silicone oil based compound to prolong the life of the shock absorber rubber seals. This lubricant prevents the rubber from drying out and cracking, and is resistant to water and most chemicals.

EFELE materials are effectively used for mounting / dismounting of shock absorbers.

For example, a multi-purpose grease is ideal for removing shock absorbers.
... This product forms a stable moisture-repellent film on surfaces, perfectly displaces water. EFELE UNI-M SPRAY multipurpose grease is a dispersion of solid lubricants in mineral oil. It has high penetrating properties and softens rust well, which greatly facilitates dismantling. At the same time, EFELE UNI-M SPRAY has good lubricating properties, which protects the shock absorbers from wear.

EFELE UNI-M Spray multipurpose grease combines properties that cannot be combined with other multipurpose greases. On the one hand, it easily penetrates to the most inaccessible nodes, on the other hand, it does not flow out of the friction zone.

The load-carrying capacity and antiwear properties of EFELE UNI-M Spray are enhanced by the addition of solid anti-friction fillers. The presence of corrosion inhibitors provides the dispersion with excellent anticorrosive properties.

It is hard to imagine how the car would drive and what sensations the driver and passengers in the cabin would experience if the vehicle were not equipped with special devices capable of extinguishing or at least minimizing the vibrational movements transmitted by springs, springs, torsion bars. For this purpose, shock absorbers are used, it is quite justified that they are considered one of the most important elements of an automobile suspension, they are designed to eliminate vertical body swing.

To choose the best shock absorbers for your car, it is advisable to first familiarize yourself with manufacturers that are recognized all over the world.

Koni

Shock absorbers are the only product manufactured by the Dutch company. The main difference is the controllability of the characteristics of the models, and there is a difference of 100% between the zero and maximum adjustment positions, i.e. there is a real possibility of adapting the device to any type of road, any car model and driving style.

The assortment of the company is 2500 different models, differing in design. Their cost on the market is the highest, as well as their reliability, there is a chance that they will fail along with the car.

Most popular models:

• KONI Load-a-Juster - for a heavily loaded body
• KONI Special - for a smooth car ride
• KONI Sport - for those who like to recklessly at high speeds

Bilstein

They are installed by manufacturers on Lamborghini, Jaguars, Ferrari cars, which is already evidence of the highest quality.

The most popular models Bilstein Sport, Bilstein Sprint, Bilstein Rally are designed for high-speed, sports cars, they are chosen by fans to show a driving master class. There have been no complaints about the quality of Bilstein products.

Kayaba

The products of the Japanese company Kayaba are preferred by world-renowned car manufacturers: Renault, Ford, Seat, Peugeot. Kayaba shock absorbers have won the sympathy of drivers for their affordable cost and quality that meets international standards.

Among the most popular are Ultra SR gas-hydraulic models with high damping characteristics, stabilizing traction with the track surface, with good handling characteristics when using low-profile tires, with no damping. This is preferred by lovers of a hard driving style.

BOGE

The main consumers of the products of the German company are the leading European concerns that produce cars BMW, Volkswagen, Volvo, AlfaRomeo, Audi.

The pricing policy of the manufacturer of shock absorbers is quite affordable for owners who really care about the technical condition of their cars. Installed on a foreign car, BOGE shock absorbers do not adversely affect the suspension performance.

Most in demand:

• Boge Pro-gas, gas-filled, for a comfortable ride
• Boge Turbo24, one-tube, allowing you to ride in off-road conditions on an all-wheel drive car
• Boge Turbo-gas, for sports cars
• Boge Nivomat, maintaining optimal ground clearance even with significant body load

Monroe

The Belgian company is a manufacturer of shock absorbers known throughout the world.

An accurate and instant reaction is provided by the original design of gas models, which also allows:

• easy to adapt to driving in different, even difficult conditions,
• comfortable control,
• adequate vehicle behavior during difficult maneuvers at speed

The American company enjoys the best recommendations not only in its home country, but all over the world.

A particularly popular series of products is Reflex, whose models guarantee maximum contact with the road surface.

TOKICO (HITACHI)

The Japanese company produces damper devices for the US and Japanese automotive industries. The products are of high quality, with a long service life, the cost is low - the prerequisites are sufficient for popularity.

But when buying, one should beware of Chinese counterfeits, there are a lot of them on the domestic market, it is rather difficult to distinguish visually from the original.

Manufactures brake systems, hydraulics and pneumatic equipment for cars, shock absorbers. It has been successfully operating on the market for about 80 years, occupying a leading position. The special merit of the company is the development of a two-pipe gas model of a low pressure shock absorber, which has advanced the entire industry as a whole.

Since 2005, the TOKICO company began to work as part of the HITACHI concern, its products are used in the assembly of sports motorcycles, as one of the most reliable in the world.

SACHS

The German manufacturer specializes in the manufacture of clutches and shock absorbers, the products are universal, high quality and reliable. Today the company pays more attention to the production of pendants.

The most popular modifications:

• Super Touring - for a comfortable ride on different types of cars
• SACHS Advantage - for a sporty type of driving, for a comfortable ride on the road of any complexity

KYB

In a relatively short period of its existence (about 20 years), the Japanese company managed to gain trust and popularity; Mazda, Toyota, and Honda cars are equipped with its products.

Al-KO

The company's products continue to delight motorists with inexpensive but high-quality products for four decades.

Al-KO dampers are installed on expensive motorcycles and cars, most of them are oil-based, they are preferred by owners of used vehicles.

DELCO

Manufactured in the USA, mostly used by American vehicle manufacturers. It is almost impossible to find them in the open sale, the main consumers of DELCO products are assembly shops.

Nevertheless, DELCO shock absorbers are well known and highly recommended for their reliability. It is irrational to use in off-road conditions.

Shock absorber, principle of operation, where installed

And now let's continue talking about shock absorbers, clarify on what principle they work and continue the topic of how to make the right choice of a device for your car.

The shock absorber is a damping device that dampens vibrations, absorbing shocks and shocks of moving structural elements (suspension, wheels), housing. The action is based on the process of absorbing mechanical energy of vibrational movements and converting it into heat.

The interaction of the part with springs, pillows, torsion bars, springs allows you to damp free movements of large masses and prevent relatively high speeds of smaller masses associated with elastic elements.

The wheels of the car must be able to move freely up and down relative to the body. The weight of the body must be distributed over the suspension springs, keeping them compressed to a certain extent.

The fulfillment of these conditions will maintain contact between the tire and the surface of the road surface, regardless of what will be under the wheel - a bulge or a depression. If the shock absorbers are removed from the structure, permanent contact will be impossible due to the oscillation of the springs.

For example, the driver can feel a malfunction of the damper device even when driving at a speed of 30 km per hour:
wheels bounce from the slightest irregularities
vehicle control deteriorates

One of the important points is the location of the part. The most efficient operation will be ensured by the minimum distance of the place of their installation from the wheel.

Experts emphasize that shock absorbers should be installed strictly vertically, i.e. perpendicular to the suspension plane. Even with minimal deflection, the damping efficiency will decrease.

It is extremely harmful to adhere to the opinion that this device is simple in principle of operation and primitive in design. In fact, the correct installation of the unit and ensuring its excellent operation is a rather complex science that requires multifaceted knowledge in the field of physics and mechanics.

What do the main indicators of shock absorbers mean?

Like any other part of a car, a shock absorber has certain performance characteristics. They are of considerable importance for the very process of driving a car, its obedience to control, for the comfort of the trip and its safety.

braking distances

The operation of the damping device affects the speed of acceleration and deceleration of the car. If we consider the state of the car at the start, it turns out that when accelerating, the load on the rear wheels increases and the load on the front wheels decreases, i.e. reduces the strength of their adhesion to the road surface. Braking is accompanied by opposite loads. Ideally, in both situations, the body should maintain its natural horizontal position.

Efforts will be directed specifically at stabilizing the body position. But dampers of different design and type of filler will work in different ways, at different speeds.

For clarity, an example can be given: at a distance of ten meters in front of the car an obstacle arises abruptly (a cat, a dog jumped out onto the road, a man suddenly fell, crossing the road, and little else can happen).

If the car is equipped with oil models, it will hardly be possible to avoid a tragic outcome. Gas-filled devices will significantly shorten the braking distance. The incident will end happily, and the driver will be able to show off his experience and excellent reaction.

But even taking into account such reasoning, experts do not recommend installing gas-filled models on used, especially domestic cars - destructive processes in such cars are immediately activated.

the ability of the shock absorber to damp vibrations on uneven roads

We have already mentioned that the most important requirement for shock absorbers is the ability to damp body vibrations while driving. Those. a high-quality shock absorber should ensure constant contact between the road surface and the wheel surface, this will prevent the possibility of losing control over the car.

In the event of a serious difference in the height of the road surface (bumps or dents), the wheel should go around it as gently and quickly as possible, clearly returning to contact with the road surface.

Since devices filled with oil operate more slowly, it will be difficult for them to provide full damping of vibrations on poor road quality. Off-road driving of such cars should be avoided; driving on bad roads is fraught not only with uncomfortableness, but also with quick wear of shock absorbers.

the stiffness of the shock absorber as it behaves in tight corners

The situation with displacement of loads, but only on the sides of the car, will arise when the car is performing maneuvers, for example, when passing a sharp turn.

Stiffer, gas-filled devices are capable of a faster response, with increasing pressure inside the shock absorber the response speed increases. They give stiffness to the suspension, at high speeds this is reflected in a decrease in body vibration.

The same is true when making a sharp turn - a hard and fast-acting shock absorber will have time to compensate for the arising loads and passengers will feel them to a lesser extent.

Installation of such high-speed damping devices is carried out on high-speed cars, such as sports, all-wheel drive and SUVs.

Among the best representatives are the MonoMax series with increased strength and pressure and the adjustable Kayaba - AGX models.

Shock absorbers and working substance

If we take into account the type of working filler, then all models are usually subdivided into:

• gas
• oil
• gas-oil

If the answer is subjected to logical analysis, then it will change somewhat, because oils and gases are used as a working substance in shock absorbers.

The bodies of gas models are filled with inert gases, more often with nitrogen. It is pumped under a pressure of 2 - 3 atmospheres. The working space of oil-powered models is filled with hydraulic oils and air.

Shock absorbers and number of pipes

In accordance with the design features, shock absorbers are divided into several types: one-pipe and two-pipe.

oil shock absorbers pros and cons

Let's start with the simplest option - hydraulic two-pipe... Its cost is not high, but it does not differ in stability of work.

This type is distinguished by the location of the working cylinder inside the housing. The body is a cylinder filled with some oil. Working in compression, the piston, located inside the cylinder, moves downward, forcing the oil filler through the valve.

The air at the top of the cylinder is compressed. When the piston is triggered on rebound, it makes a reverse movement, the oil returns from the body through the backstop valve, goes into the working part of the cylinder.

The design and principle of its operation are quite simple, but simplicity does not always guarantee sufficient efficiency - in the process of extinguishing one energy, another is formed, the compensation of spring oscillations is accompanied by the release of thermal energy, which leads to heating of the oil and a change in the parameters of its viscosity.

Oil warms up quickly and cooling is slow, heating and constant movement of the oil when air is exposed often cause foaming. There are no methods to combat this phenomenon. Sometimes they try to get rid of the problem by filling a new shock absorber "to the eyeballs", i.e. to maximum occupancy.

But such actions will not lead to anything good, the oil will still look for a way out, as a result, the shock absorber will sooner fail. It turns out that aeration is an incurable disease of oil shock absorbers.

gas shock absorbers, pros and cons

gas one-pipe

This type is distinguished by a special design that provides for complete isolation of the oil from the gas filler.

Such models consist of:

• corps
• stock
• piston in connection with the rod and equipped with valves of reverse and forward strokes
• a float piston that separates gas from oil

Of the significant differences, the absence of a working chamber should be called, its role is played by the body. The division into chambers takes place using a float piston.

The lower part of the housing is then filled with nitrogen under high pressure. In the upper part there is oil, it is in it that the piston with the rod moves.

Since there is no working chamber in the design, the forward stroke valve is located directly next to the rebound valve, on the piston.

The design of the monotube models allowed for increased gas and oil volumes without changing the size of the shock absorber. Such design improvements have saved the device from heating. The elimination of gas and oil contact prevents the aeration process, i.e. foaming of the oil.

Among the disadvantages of such models should be noted:

• change in hardness depending on the gas temperature,
• an increase in temperature increases the stiffness of the suspension
• An accidental dent on the body will cause the shock absorber to jam, i.e. it will fail, fortunately, such precedents do not happen often.

gas-oil shock absorbers, pros and cons

Representatives of this species are known as gas-oil. Their design is similar to that of the hydraulic models. The difference is that the cavity is filled with gas, usually nitrogen is used.

The gas accumulates pressure and prevents foaming of the oil. But it was also not possible to get rid of the problem of heating in this way.

When buying a gas-filled shock absorber differs from a hydraulic shock absorber in the rod - the gas pressure tends to squeeze it out.

shifters

You should also remember about the shock absorber of a special design, the so-called. a shape-shifter. It differs in that it is installed upside down. If for conventional shock absorbers, the direction of the rod rack is characteristic upward, then here the rod is directed downward, it is fastened to the rack body.

The pseudo stem is very thick and is located on top. Such a device works due to the presence of several plain bearings. Among the design advantages, it should be noted that the vertical and lateral load on the rack is significantly reduced.

Riding style, how it affects the choice of shock absorber

Given the fact that different types of shock absorbers have slightly different characteristics, when choosing, you should take into account the driving style that the car enthusiast prefers.

If the plans include a quiet movement, then you should not bother too much - there will be enough oil shock absorbers. Although there is an opinion that such models serve less, but official confirmation of this version has not been received.

If the driver prefers an aggressive, sporty style, then it is best to give preference to models from the special series, such shock absorbers are distinguished by an increase in compression and rebound forces.

This improvement allows you to get an increased stability of the car when driving at high speed, in particular when cornering. But moving in a quiet mode will become less comfortable.

Fans of an aggressive, sporty driving style can also use high-stiffness shock absorbers with adjustable parameters. On the positive side, such models have very high strength and reliability.

If the car is used for infrequent and close trips, then buying expensive shock absorbers is not at all necessary. For example, QH or AL-KO or similar is quite enough.

How to check the condition of the shock absorber on your car

Experienced drivers claim that the main signs of shock absorbers are:

• obedience to the car
• moderation of noise in the cabin
• no shaking and vibration while driving

At the same time, shock absorbers affect the acceleration speed of the car, give smooth running, braking, cornering, overcoming descents and ascents.

They eliminate vibration, the increase of which can lead to wheel slip in extreme conditions, i.e. their action is aimed at increasing the safety of movement along the highway and minimizing the threat of accidents.

But, unfortunately, any part of the car wears out over time and requires replacement. The question arises: by what symptoms can a motorist determine a shock absorber malfunction.

You can make the diagnosis yourself:

• determine if there are liquid streaks on the body (they should not be in good condition)
• by pressing on each of the corners of the body, the car should be shaken, as a response, only one return movement should occur, while the car should return to its normal position
• in the event of a malfunction of the shock absorbers, knocks will be clearly heard when the car is rocking

Such a simple test will reveal a malfunction, and therefore the time has come to replace it.

In order not to be mistaken when choosing shock absorbers, you should consider:

• many models are designed for certain brands of cars, so it is advisable to study the catalogs that are available in specialized stores
• type of previously used models
• preferred driving style
• the condition of the roads on which you have to drive in most cases
• cost, especially if the replacement will be carried out on a used car
• replacement of oil shock absorbers with gas ones, or vice versa, should be carried out on both axles at the same time, otherwise there is a risk of significant changes in the behavior of the car

None of the distributors can guarantee the quality and long service life of shock absorbers if they are installed on a car with a faulty suspension, without anthers and bumpers, and the installation itself will be performed in violation of technology.

The question of choosing shock absorbers for a car is a very popular topic among motorists. The huge variety of models on the market causes a wide variety of opinions and is the cause of much controversy. One thing can be said: replacing the shock absorber completely changes the way the car moves. There are three types of shock absorbers on the market now. These are gas, oil, and gas-filled. Each of them has its own properties and characteristics. Let's try to figure out which is better - an oil or gas shock absorber.

Functions and device

The work of shock absorbers is to reduce the amplitude and number of oscillations of the spring. As for the algorithm of action, it is no different from the principle of the oil pump. A small cylinder is mounted in a large one.

When the suspension oscillates, it forces the shock absorber rod to move. The rod, in turn, drives the piston. The latter compresses the gas or oil in the cylinder. Oil exits through small holes into a larger second cylinder, thereby slowing down the movement of the piston and suspension. There are different types of these elements. You can buy a gas or oil shock absorber. Which is the best one? Reviews about a particular design will be in the course of the story.

Types of shock absorbers for a car

So, they can be classified according to various factors. By the type of working substance, gas, oil and gas-oil products are distinguished.

Also, these elements are distinguished by the number of pipes. There can be one- and two-pipe systems. How do they work? The first shock absorber is a single tube. This design is most often used on oil and gas-filled devices. Two-pipe are less common.

Depending on what type of shock absorbers are installed on the car, it can move as smoothly as on an expensive executive car, or as rigidly as on a sports car. We will try to find out which is better - an oil or gas shock absorber.

Features of oil devices

There is a special oil inside such an element. Flowing from one cylinder to another, this practically incompressible fluid dampens suspension vibrations when the car is moving. There is more than just oil inside the device. There is air in the compensation chamber. It is needed so that the oil does not flow too quickly from one chamber to another. The dynamics of the device is completely determined by the performance of the bypass valves.

These mechanisms have the most simple design. Therefore, they practically do not fail. The weak point of these devices is fast driving on rough roads. Pistons can move unexpectedly and oil often foam. This will prevent fluid from moving through the ports in the crossover valves as quickly as needed. The shock absorber operates under increased loads.

If you ask an experienced car enthusiast which is better - a gas or oil shock absorber, then he will choose gas models. Many car enthusiasts dislike hydraulic devices. Reviews say that the liquid in the cold season loses its properties and becomes thicker. Until the oil warms up, driving on rough roads will be uncomfortable. If it is necessary to drive frequently over bumps, air can enter the oil. This will not only negatively affect the operation of the shock absorber, but can also cause the product to fail.

The oil shock absorber also has its advantages. Reviews note the low price and availability in any bridge. These are serious advantages. If the driving style is calm or if comfort of movement is important, then the choice is obvious. Next, we will consider other types of shock absorbers and decide which is better - gas or oil.

Gas

As the name implies, a special gas is used as a working substance. Most often it is nitrogen injected under pressure. There is also oil inside the device. It is separated from the gas chamber by a special floating piston that prevents the two substances from mixing.

Also, as already noted, there are no completely gas products on sale. There is still oil, but there is much more gas. Structurally, they differ significantly from oil models. The gas shock absorber is always single-tube.

If the oil element is soft and suitable for a comfortable ride, then the suspension on gas shock absorbers is the stiffest. In addition to their high rigidity, the products are distinguished by their high prices. Reviews say that this is the choice for those who prefer a sporty driving style.

A gas shock absorber, in the absence of comfort and rigidity, improves wheel traction. In addition, rolls are completely eliminated with such a suspension. Controllability is significantly increased.

Subtotal

So, now you can sum up and decide which is better - a gas or oil shock absorber. For those who prefer a quiet ride on city roads, hydraulic products are the best choice. For those who like to move quickly on the tracks at high speeds and want to get better handling, the choice remains with the hydraulic elements. As you can see, it is impossible to clearly say that some product is better.

They have different characteristics, and for some they are more suitable, for others less. When choosing a gas model, it must be borne in mind that other suspension elements need to be changed when replacing.

Gas-oil products

Here, both gas and oil are used in one design. The greater the pressure force of the substances, the better the controllability and the higher the rigidity of the device. The advantages of the design are that the oil will never foam here. You can drive confidently even on uneven roads without fear of loss of control or shock absorber failure.

Gas, oil, gas-oil systems - which is better?

This is a rather difficult question. And now, knowing the advantages of gas-oil products, it is difficult to say which shock absorber is better - gas, oil or gas-oil. The hydraulic devices are of an outdated design. And due to this, the ride comfort is very dubious. There is every risk of breaking the shock absorber when driving on bad roads. In addition, handling leaves much to be desired.

And now, it would seem, a solution has been found - a gas shock absorber. But this is the choice of street racers who like to drive fast on smooth highways without pits and bumps. But since the stroke of the rod is small, there will be constant shaking in the cabin. This vibration can cause damage to various parts of the car earlier.

So what should a car enthusiast choose who wants good handling, relative comfort, durability and reliability? Choose a gas or oil shock absorber? What's better? Reviews say that the compromise option is gas-oil products. They combine all the advantages of both devices.

Two-pipe

Oil-filled or gas-filled devices of this design are the most popular. You can always find them on sale. Structurally, these are the simplest options. Feature - in the presence of two containers for oil. So, it can flow from one chamber to the second through special transition valves.

Among the advantages of this design are comparative reliability and affordable cost. There are more disadvantages. Reviews often note the boiling of the oil. As a result, there is a violation of work efficiency. Another drawback, judging by the reviews, is a lot of weight. If you have to choose which shock absorber is better for VAZ - gas or oil, then experts recommend installing two-pipe hydraulic structures. They are also suitable for family cars, the drivers of which often drive the car in a relaxed manner. A two-tube oil shock absorber will not work for a sports car, SUV or SUV.

Gas one-pipe

Since these products use gas as a damping agent, there is no particular need for a second pipe. I must say that due to the peculiarities of the device, the shock absorber can be installed at any angle - even upside down.

You also need to know that the greater the pressure inside the gas cylinder, the faster the response to suspension movements will be. These options are considered the most effective, judging by the reviews. Now you can buy a gas or oil shock absorber. What's better? If you want reliability at the expense of comfort, then it is better to choose gas-filled models.

With or without adjustment?

If you need to drive quickly on the highway, and after a while move off-road, then it is better to purchase an adjustable version. Its settings are very easy to change. The price is higher than the cost of gas models. But the efficiency is also up to par.

About the choice

So, we need Which is better to buy - gas or oil? The latest products are suitable for bad roads and a calm driving style. For good and smooth roads - gas-filled.