How do you know if your dampers are knackered?
Discussion
Not being an expert on such matters.... Over undulating surfaces my car feels a bit bouncy and I grounded the exhaust big time on Saturday. Does that suggest that the dampers are past their best?
If so how are dampers like gaz or nitrons better than the standard-fit dampers other than the fact that they might be rebuildable?
L.F.
If so how are dampers like gaz or nitrons better than the standard-fit dampers other than the fact that they might be rebuildable?
L.F.
Sounds like they are ready to be replaced/refreshed. You could try checking tyre pressures in case they are too high but sounds like the dampers to me.
Adjustables still wear out but you can obviously choose the right balance between 'bouncy' and firm ride, depending on the roads you drive on, the grip/feel that you want and your personal comfort. I adjust mine from time to time, especially with different tyres or obviously on a track day.
gooner
Adjustables still wear out but you can obviously choose the right balance between 'bouncy' and firm ride, depending on the roads you drive on, the grip/feel that you want and your personal comfort. I adjust mine from time to time, especially with different tyres or obviously on a track day.
gooner
SimonV8ster said:
Can you bounce the car quite happily by simply pressing it up and down with your hands ?? I could bounce my rear end like a basket ball, they were very knackered indeed !!
That may not alway work as the old springs can become spring bound (collapse)which had happened on both my tivs (no bounce at all effectively). I'd also give the springs a visual check - look for uneven spacing between coils and for bowing of the spring as a whole. lockhart flawse said:
If so how are dampers like gaz or nitrons better than the standard-fit dampers other than the fact that they might be rebuildable?
L.F.
The more expensive shocks like Nitron are nitrogen filled and the cheaper ones contain oil.L.F.
Generally, the more you pay , the more types of ajustment you're getting. This allows you to set the car up to specific requirements.
When you're changing shocks you also get springs and these can also be specified differently to standard according to your needs.
Like most things, you get what you pay for.
In this case you're paying to retain control of the car when lesser shocks wouldn't.
Buy the best you can possibily justify for your requirements. It is a bit of a diminishing return though. Gaz should be the minimum, Nitrons were my choice and I recommend them.
Fester
GreenV8S said:
Uncle Fester said:
The more expensive shocks like Nitron are nitrogen filled and the cheaper ones contain oil.
Erm ... are you trying to say that Nitrons don't contain oil?
Nitrons website is being redone at the moment and the FAQ is missing. This is a bit I did find.
All NITRON shocks are gas monotube shim type with a high pressure gas charge. Couple this with a large piston area and an all alloy construction and you get an ultra low friction damper with excellent heat dissipation properties, ensuring total reliability and fade resistance.
Gas shocks contain, err, oil, just like all other shocks.
You canot completely fill a shock absorber ( or damper ) with oil for the simple reason that as it works hard, the oil gets hot, expands, and cracks the casing ( or blows the seals out ). Therefore, all shocks are not COMPLETELY full of oil, but have a small gas bubble in them to allow the oil to expand. In the case of most shocks, this gas is simply "air" as it is freely available, and does the job of forming an "air" bubble in the top of the oil very nicely.
However, the problem with air is that over time, the oil absorbs it, effectively changing its properties. This is not ideal.
The top ( i.e. expensive ) companies put in an inert gas instead of air. Obviously this cost more, but the oil does not absorb it. Often, nitrogen is used as this inert gas.
You canot completely fill a shock absorber ( or damper ) with oil for the simple reason that as it works hard, the oil gets hot, expands, and cracks the casing ( or blows the seals out ). Therefore, all shocks are not COMPLETELY full of oil, but have a small gas bubble in them to allow the oil to expand. In the case of most shocks, this gas is simply "air" as it is freely available, and does the job of forming an "air" bubble in the top of the oil very nicely.
However, the problem with air is that over time, the oil absorbs it, effectively changing its properties. This is not ideal.
The top ( i.e. expensive ) companies put in an inert gas instead of air. Obviously this cost more, but the oil does not absorb it. Often, nitrogen is used as this inert gas.
GreenV8S said:
Uncle Fester said:
GreenV8S said:
Uncle Fester said:
The more expensive shocks like Nitron are nitrogen filled and the cheaper ones contain oil.
Erm ... are you trying to say that Nitrons don't contain oil?
There was no mention of oil at all. Now you have me wondering...
GreenV8S said:
Uncle Fester said:
GreenV8S said:
Uncle Fester said:
The more expensive shocks like Nitron are nitrogen filled and the cheaper ones contain oil.
Erm ... are you trying to say that Nitrons don't contain oil?
Here's a clue : Nitrons have oil in them
It's also not true (as mentioned above) to say that the gas in the damper is to allow for expansion of the oil as it heats (though it may, it depends how much the oil expands comapred to the rest of the damper of course).. it's there to accomodate the displacement of the piston rod as it enters the damper body.
The nitrogen/other gas in Nitrons and other high end dampers is separate from the oil, usually held behind a floating piston within the damper body or remote reservoir.
Other non-pressured dampers use either an air space or a small bag (sometimes called a gas bag but usually filled with foam or something else squidgy) to take up the displacement of oil from the piston moving into the damper boby.
It's also not true (as mentioned above) to say that the gas in the damper is to allow for expansion of the oil as it heats (though it may, it depends how much the oil expands comapred to the rest of the damper of course).. it's there to accomodate the displacement of the piston rod as it enters the damper body.
The nitrogen/other gas in Nitrons and other high end dampers is separate from the oil, usually held behind a floating piston within the damper body or remote reservoir.
Other non-pressured dampers use either an air space or a small bag (sometimes called a gas bag but usually filled with foam or something else squidgy) to take up the displacement of oil from the piston moving into the damper boby.
Fear not many can be rebuilt, but it is often seen as an opportunity to upgrade to better dampers.
I stand corrected about the reason for the oil being in there. I was told this by someone who should know what they are talking about, but it was very long time ago, so I may have "mis-remembered".
However, the reason for my interest was when my "gas filled" shocks failed an MOT on "oil leaking from damper". That kind of gave it away a bit!
However, the reason for my interest was when my "gas filled" shocks failed an MOT on "oil leaking from damper". That kind of gave it away a bit!
[
the driving seat.
Seems I may have been misinformed.
trackcar said:
(sometimes called a gas bag but usually filled with foam or something else squidgy) to take up the displacement of oil from the piston moving into the damper boby.
I have searched the car and the only squidgy gas bag found was inthe driving seat.
Seems I may have been misinformed.
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