The next malfunction is damage to the stem, oil seals, valves inside the rack. There are a number of spare parts on the market for repairing collapsible shock absorbers. In addition, an experienced motorist never throws away old spare parts, but tries to repair them.In addition, workable parts can always be extracted from them.
Tip: The entire process of disassembling the shock absorber should be photographed. This will avoid assembly problems.
It is important to ensure that the assembly is clean, the ingress of dirt or solid metal particles will quickly damage the remanufactured shock absorber.
After pumping oil, the rack needs to be pumped, as usual.
VIDEO
If you have basic information about how your shock absorbers work, you can save money on replacing them. Most of the rack models are repairable and the parts are either reasonably priced or made in-house.
An article on how to repair car shock absorbers - types of breakdowns, methods of troubleshooting. At the end of the article - a video about repairing a shock absorber with your own hands.
The content of the article:
Shock absorber device
Terms of operation
Typical breakdowns
Diagnostics
DIY shock absorber repair video
An automobile shock absorber is a device that absorbs vibrations or various shocks passing from the roadway to the body. Such vibrations of various systems are suppressed by pistons operating in viscous media. Thanks to such media, the vibration amplitude is reduced.
Modern motorists are often faced with a complete failure or breakdown of the suspension system, the main parts of which are shock absorbers. Therefore, urgent repairs are required, which will save the car owner from further complications. Such repairs should begin with a detailed diagnosis.
Shock absorbers are rear and front. In order to repair such critical parts, a detailed knowledge of the structure itself is required.
A modern shock absorber is a complex device consisting of different parts. Shock absorbers are replaced exclusively in pairs. In case of damage or breakdown of one rack, the car owner will have to change both. In the process of restoration or when repairing the shock absorber, you must use the vehicle operating manual. A detected malfunction requires careful study and appropriate solutions.
Prepare appropriately for the shock absorber repair process. This will require the following tools and materials:
car kit;
screeds;
support goats;
rack key;
new cartridge.
After preparing the listed devices, you can start directly repair work.
The current safety regulations require the vehicle to be installed on pre-prepared trestles. In this case, it is necessary to set them correctly. The fastening bolts of the lever and the stem nut are unscrewed, then the fasteners are removed and the shock absorber is removed. Removing the shock absorber is quite easy if the fasteners are unscrewed correctly, but you must not forget to remove the internal thread.
After completing the dismantling of the shock absorber, you can remove the internal parts from it. First, the old cartridge is removed, in place of which a new one is installed and tightened with a nut. By replacing the cartridge, you can return the shock absorber to its place using the described steps.
After completing the repair, the vehicle should be sent to a service center to carry out the alignment of the camber-toe system. Experts also advise, when repairing or restoring shock absorbers, to diagnose and check the main elements of the car suspension, including the steering rod, brake hoses, rails, blocks.
Just like any product or part, shock absorbers have their own operational and replacement periods.Restoration or repair of the device should be carried out immediately after the discovery of a breakdown and malfunction. As for their complete replacement, it is performed every three years.
To increase the operational life, the following simple rules are recommended:
refuse to use the delivery for lifting the suspension, which can damage the shock absorber rod;
avoid high speeds when driving on damaged roads;
in winter, preheat the oil in the shock absorbers.
If you decide to raise the car body, you need to take care of installing shock absorbers of the appropriate size. Awkward handling can cause rapid wear on not only the shock absorbers, but the entire suspension as well. And in winter, to start driving, you must use a low speed and low gears.
If all the above operating rules are observed, timely diagnostics, as well as repair or restoration of shock absorbers, a significant increase in the service life of the entire vehicle is possible. Repair work is carried out in accordance with the nature of the detected malfunction. Do not forget about innovative non-collapsible shock absorbers that cannot be repaired.
Every experienced motorist is familiar with the typical malfunctions of this unit. If oil leaks, this indicates a depressurization of the stem oil seal, which can cause a complete loss of performance of the part.
You should also be wary if there is a backlash during rebound or compression. The consequences will be the same as with broken valves. The device will no longer be able to perform its direct functions, and the car will emit knocks, rumblings and other unpleasant sounds while driving. Driving in such a car is not only uncomfortable, but also quite dangerous.
Of the external damage, cracks in the lugs or dents on the housings can be distinguished. Such minor problems can lead to more serious damage and even affect the chassis. Upon finding any sign of a similar breakdown, the rack is removed and released from the spring.
The best way to detect shock absorber problems is to check the stability of the vehicle itself, both at high and low speeds. The owner should pay attention to how his "iron horse" reacts to bumps or holes and how quickly it restores balance when hitting such irregularities.
If even the slightest deviations are found, it is necessary to view the shock absorbers in detail. Analyzing the state of protection, you should inspect the anthers. For such purposes, flyovers or special pits are used, allowing you to inspect both the front and rear shock absorbers from below.
If the anthers are torn or even slightly damaged, it is better to install a new protector. It is the anthers that are responsible for protecting the shock absorbers from small particles of dirt in the holes, which over time leads to all sorts of breakdowns or damage. If the shock absorber lacks such protection, its service life is significantly reduced.
Taking into account the main function of shock absorbers - to reduce the rolling of the machine on uneven road surfaces, it is quite easy to determine the malfunction. The main sign of failure of this device is an increase in vibrations and the appearance of unnecessary noise that was not felt before.
If the wheels of the car fall into the hole, then you can hear the sound of punching, which is also considered an additional sign of breakdown. So you can find out about the need for an early replacement or repair of shock absorbers. However, a more detailed study of the problem will be required.
First, you need a visual inspection of the part and its careful study. If an oily leak is found, it is imperative to carry out repairs and return the shock absorber to working condition.It should be noted that the process of diagnosing this device at the stand is a rather difficult task, so many try to immediately purchase new shock absorbers or repair struts using a repair kit on their own.
The shock absorber is considered to be a consumable item, which must be changed after a three-year period. The bad condition of Russian highways reduces this time by several times - the suspension breaks down much earlier than the period specified by the manufacturer. However, you should not despair in advance, as well as throw away the broken part. If the shock absorber cannot be repaired, it can always be replaced.
Before choosing a method, it is necessary to take into account several factors, including the cost of a new part - if it costs the car owner as much as the repair, you should not get your hands dirty. In addition, renovation requires certain skills. Also, remember that a remanufactured shock absorber will not last long.
In general, a shock absorber is a multifunctional part that is responsible not only for damping body vibrations, but also for braking. It ensures the stability of the vehicle. Therefore, having well understood the essence of the operation of such a device, the driver will be able to understand the problem in time and make the right decisions to eliminate it. Even after going through MOT, the shock absorbers can suddenly creak or leak, so you need to monitor them constantly.
Most modern cars are equipped with so-called non-separable shock absorbers. This means they cannot be repaired. Unlike collapsible counterparts, they have a five-year warranty period. And on high-quality highways, they will last even more.
There are also pumped shock absorbers. For such models, the gas backpressure has been changed, which performs a restructuring of operational characteristics if the car is subjected to heavy loads. They work perfectly up to breakdown, performing the additional option described above. If such a shock absorber breaks down, it will be quite difficult to repair it.
The fact is that models with pumping during repairs overlap the hydraulic fluid pipes, which are responsible for the health of the entire part. It is almost impossible to carry out such repairs without the intervention of specialists and special equipment. And the purchase of a new part will cost several hundred dollars.
Experts recommend using only original components for repairs and not trusting cheap fakes - after all, the coherence of the system and machine components depends on this device. We must not forget that insurers, when an appropriate case occurs, intervene in each verification procedure, studying all the details in order to find the reason and, if possible, refuse to pay.
DIY video about shock absorber repair:
VIDEO
Almost every motorist can repair shock absorber struts, if he is not afraid of dirty work under the car. This will also save you a good amount of money. After all, as soon as dull bumps begin to appear in the suspension of the car when driving through pits and potholes, then it’s time to come to grips with repairing shock absorbers.
Each automaker uses its own design developments to damp vibrations when the vehicle is moving. But shock absorbers are present in almost all modern passenger cars.
The lifespan of a shock absorber is determined by the driving style of the vehicle and the quality of the roads. For example, many 10-year-old cars from Europe with a mileage of more than 200 thousand km come to us on "native" shock absorbers. And in our road conditions, a rare suspension part survives up to 100 thousand kilometers.
At the end of this article you will find a visual video tutorial on repairing the shock absorber strut of a VAZ 2110 car.
Below we will talk about what are the main malfunctions of shock absorbers, and how you can fix them with your own hands, if you have certain skills, tools and the desire to do this.
The main malfunctions of shock absorber struts are:
Free movement of the rod in the cylinder,
The presence of knocking when compressing or stretching,
Oil drips.
Finding all these problems is quite simple, even without removing the shock absorbers from the car.
To determine the performance of the shock absorbers, it is necessary to press hard several times with the whole body weight on the wing or bumper of the car directly above each shock absorber in turn. If, after the car stops rocking, further vertical vibrations occur, then the shock absorber is faulty. Usually, a working node stops swinging immediately after the impact on it stops.
In a similar way, knocks in the shock absorber strut are detected. To do this, rest your hand with the palm of your hand at the top attachment point of the rack and swing it up and down with sharp rhythmic presses. Impacts will be clearly felt upon contact.
To find leaks in the shock absorbers, it is enough to look between the wheel and the arch of the car. Turning the wheel to one side will help to improve visibility. It is even more convenient for these purposes to use a viewing pit, overpass or lift.
For more information on methods for checking the health of car shock absorbers, read our article on how to check shock absorbers on a car.
Repair of shock absorber struts begins with their dismantling. Removing the shock absorbers is usually not a problem. Unless the fasteners force the motorist to swear loudly and resort to drastic measures ("grinder" or gas "cutter").
But more often than not, it is enough to clean the nuts and bolts from sand and dirt, and then treat them with WD-40 fluid. After 20-30 minutes, you can start dismantling.
Here are a few things to consider when removing shock absorbers for later repair or replacement:
Often, the part of the car where the shock absorber is removed has to be hung with a jack. It is imperative to install stops under the sill or bottom so that the car does not accidentally move during repairs.
For better access to the lower mountings of the shock absorber, the corresponding wheel must be removed.
The upper attachment points of the struts in most cars are usually located under the hood and in the trunk.
In front-wheel drive vehicles, removing the strut requires more work. The complexity of the work depends on the type of shock absorber.
Collapsible shock absorber structures are distinguished by more complex rack dismantling. To remove such a unit, you will have to unscrew the hub nut and remove the rack together with the hub.
Non-collapsible shock absorbers have a simpler strut design. At the lowest point, the shock absorber is inserted into the cup, where it is attached with one or two bolts.
The top attachment for both types of struts is usually located under the hood (front shock absorbers) and in the trunk (rear). Here you will need to tighten only two nuts.
The shock absorber struts in front-wheel drive vehicles are usually removed with the springs.
To determine the cause of a front wheel drive vehicle's shock absorber strut malfunction, it will most likely have to be completely disassembled. For details on disassembling, assembling and repairing a shock absorber, see the video tutorial at the end of this article.
Ties will be an indispensable tool for disassembling the shock absorber. This spring compressor is a heavy duty stud with a left-hand thread at one end and a right-hand thread at the other. There is a turnkey hexagon at the end of the stud. Grips (with left and right threads, respectively) are screwed onto the ends of the hairpin, which will reliably cling to the coils of the shock absorber spring when it is compressed.
Two such clamping devices are required to compress the spring.They are installed on opposite sides of the spring. Pulling is done by alternating rotation of the pins.
When the spring is compressed enough that it becomes free to "walk" in the rack, you can unscrew the top nut, remove the support bearing with a rubber bumper, and carefully remove the spring.
After careful inspection, it may turn out that the cause of the knock lies in a worn rubber bump stop. A tight rotation with a creak is observed when the support bearing fails.
The collapsible shock absorber is unscrewed from the body using a special key. Some motorists do this job successfully with a hammer and a suitable steel bar.
After replacing defective parts, the shock absorber strut should be reassembled in reverse order.
When the top nut is securely tightened, the spring must be slowly released to a working condition. It is important that the first turns fall into their slots, which prevent it from shifting.
After that, it remains to install the shock absorber strut in place, screw the wheel and lower the car.
Damper struts should be repaired without haste and in compliance with safety regulations. Especially carefully and carefully it is necessary to compress and unclench the springs. Then the repair will take place without damage to the car and human injury. And the car after the repair of the shock absorber struts will go smoothly and quietly.
VIDEO
An automobile shock absorber is a special device designed to damp (soften) various kinds of vibrations, shocks or shocks that can be transmitted from the road through the suspension to the car body, in other words, to ensure constant grip of the wheels with the road surface.
A common problem faced by a modern motorist is a breakdown or failure of a car suspension.
That is why the repair of this device should start with diagnostics, restoration or repair of shock absorbers, which are the main component of the suspension.
Today we will try to answer the question: How to repair a car shock absorber?
Before you start repairing or rebuilding the rear or front shock absorbers, you need to understand their design.
A car shock absorber consists of the following main parts:
body (with an eyelet);
a stem equipped with a casing and a fixing eye;
piston, valves (compression and recoil) and rings;
cylinder with valves;
sealing elements;
fastener - nuts
For a more complete diagram of the shock absorber device (for example, VAZ 2106), see the diagram:
Replacement of shock absorbers is performed only in pairs, which means that if one rack becomes unusable, then both struts must be replaced. If we are talking about the repair or restoration of the shock absorber, then such work is carried out in accordance with the identified malfunction or breakdown in accordance with the vehicle operating manual.
To repair the shock absorber, prepare all the necessary materials and tools:
new cartridge for the shock absorber;
rack key;
support toO
screeds;
set of tools for motorist
Having prepared everything you need, you can safely proceed to the main stage of work.
In accordance with safety measures, we install the car on prepared trestles, observing the correct positioning.
Using a column-type wrench, unscrew the mounting bolts on the lever and the nut on the stem. We remove the mounts and take out the shock absorber at the bottom. If all fasteners are unscrewed correctly, the shock absorber can be removed quite simply. Don't forget to remove the internal threads!
Please note that in front-wheel drive vehicles, the shock absorber is connected to a spring. Therefore, for painless removal, you first need to disconnect it from the spring. For this, screw-type ties are suitable for us.
After dismantling the shock absorber, we take out its internal parts, in particular the old cartridge and install a new one, tighten it with a nut.
After replacing the cartridge, we perform all the actions described, only in the reverse order. After the end of the work, we drive the car to a service station to adjust the camber-toe-in.
Often, when restoring or repairing shock absorbers, experts advise diagnosing the condition of the main elements of the car suspension - brake hoses, blocks, steering rods and racks.
Repair and restoration of shock absorbers is carried out as soon as faults and breakdowns are found, but their complete replacement is carried out every 3 years.
To increase the service life of repaired shock absorbers, we recommend following simple rules:
Do not use the car suspension lifting by means of deliveries to prevent damage to the shock absorber rod. To raise the body, it is better to install shock absorbers of the appropriate size;
Avoid driving at too high speeds and on bad roads. Ultimately, this only leads to rapid wear and tear of shock absorbers and the suspension as a whole;
In winter, at low temperatures, the oil in the shock absorbers requires preheating. The start of the movement should take place in low gears and at a low speed.
Observing the rules of operation, carrying out timely diagnostics, restoration or repair of automobile shock absorbers, you can significantly increase their service life.
Useful video on the topic:
VIDEO
VIDEO
How do you know when it's time to change your stances? And is it possible and how to repair the shock absorber strut with your own hands?
Regardless of the design and type of shock absorber, structurally they consist of several main units. In a passenger car, the main element is, of course, the slave cylinder, which has special lugs for fastening in its design. The cylinder contains a special hydraulic fluid that can be used both independently and mixed with gas.
Right there, inside the working cylinder, there is a piston rod. The piston has a valve system. The valves are designed to let the brake fluid into the free part of the cylinder when the shock absorber is operating. With the help of a rod, the shock absorber is attached to the car body, and with a cylinder it is attached to the suspension.
To create protection for the cylinder and rod, a special casing must be put on the shock absorber. So that during operation the brake fluid does not spill out, a cuff is provided, which has a guide sleeve. Each shock absorber has such a set of parts. Differences can be the number of additional elements and the amount of brake fluid in the cylinder.
Before repairing, some kind of inspection must be carried out. The fact is that if the shock absorber is non-separable, then you are unlikely to be able to make a replacement or repair yourself. And in case you observe various fasteners, nuts and bolts, then this means that you can handle it yourself.
Cool advice: since you had to climb under the car, at the same time make diagnostics of the rest of the suspension elements. Carefully inspect every detail for external mechanical damage, check all connections.
Before you start repairing the shock absorber strut with your own hands, the first step is to install the car on a safety trestle. In the case when there is a pit, of course, it will be more convenient to use it.In this case, the repair of shock absorber struts is given in the absence of a special pit.
The safety goats must be installed correctly, because your safety directly depends on this during the work. It is important to know that the repair of racks is always carried out only in pairs. We take a special rack wrench and unscrew the lever that is located on the stem nut. If the actions are correct, the shock absorber should go down.
Next, we are engaged in unscrewing the internal thread. In the case of repair work on front-wheel drive vehicles, an important point is the presence of a spring with which the strut is connected. In this case, it is necessary to free the shock absorber from it using the previously prepared ties. Under the influence of this mechanism and the efforts of your efforts, the spring gives in (the spring cannot be removed completely, it is enough to tighten it a little with a tightening mechanism).
Next, we take out all the filling (constituent elements) from the rack pipe. It is not difficult to do this, it will be clear in the process of work. Insert a new cartridge into the cleaned pipe and tighten the mechanism with a nut. When the cartridge is installed and the nut is tightened, you can install the shock absorber, following the previous steps only in reverse order. It is advisable, after the racks have been repaired with their own hands, to make a toe-out collapse diagnosis. But here you can not do without visiting a service station.
So, at the end, I would like to emphasize that repairing a shock absorber strut with your own hands is not only cost savings (it has long been no secret that the cost of work and the cost of spare parts are winding up at the service station, especially when it comes to complex work), but also the opportunity to better study your car ...
Finally, I would like to wish good luck to all experienced and novice motorists in the repair of the suspension and its elements.
The recording shows the process of replacing automotive shock absorbers.
VIDEO
Yes? and how then to react to it?
Shock absorbers for VAZ are hydraulic, so they are not threatened with gas escape, and as a result - failure (as in gas-hydraulic)
but as you know, oil shock absorbers are usually single-tube
and a piston with a diameter of 30 mm does not seem to be shoved into a two-pipe
I'll try to steer. Just try not to scream like knocked out ones. They do not make gas backing, so they write that this is their advantage (gas will not come out) ... I can tell you why!
They already have enough problems, but then they will start: either the stocks come out at different speeds, then one comes out, the other does not come out. They're easy to carbonate! But it's better to install right away and there will be fewer questions (by the way, which is what I do if asked)
Your quote "and as you know, oil shock absorbers are usually monotube" - not correct . Gas is always present in monotubes (there must be overpressure, high enough for shock absorbers - 30 atm) and oil
Two-pipe pipes may contain Atmosphere pressure - it oil shock absorber s and overpressure (usually nitrogen) - these are two-pipe gas-oil.
According to the diameter of the SS-20 pistons: 30mm are placed in the rear shock absorbers, with an inner diameter of 30 mm and 32mm are placed on the front, respectively.
Today, when most of the passenger car park is occupied by foreign-made cars, the market for spare parts has also developed widely. Not the last place in it is occupied by shock absorbers for cars - one of the most important components of the suspension.
Shock absorbers are "lucky" most of all suspension parts - they are designed not only to dampen all vibrations in the chain: road - suspension - body, but also play an important role in the process of adhesion of the wheels to the road, in the braking and stability of the car.Although, according to the erroneous opinion of many novice motorists, the main task of shock absorbers is presented as creating comfortable driving conditions in a car.
First of all, with the diagnosis of shock absorbers and understanding the essence of their work. Don't panic when all of a sudden, for no reason, you find out: the rear shock absorber creaks, the front shock absorber leaks. But recently, everything was in order with MOT. On the contrary, it's good that you paid attention to the atypical behavior of your car. The principle of diagnostics "a good knock will show itself" has never let the driver down.
The second stage of the damper epic is directly repairing the shock absorber. Repair options have already been considered, but it will not be superfluous to remind them. The first desire of a novice driver is to go to a service station, where, as he thinks, they will quickly and efficiently repair shock absorbers.
And the first action of an experienced driver is to get into the Operation Manual and decide what type of shock absorber he has. In fact, according to the rules of today's automotive industry, almost 90% of cars are equipped with non-separable shock absorbers, which means that the repair of these shock absorbers is not provided. But, this is where they have good roads and shock absorbers last up to 5 years or more.
VIDEO
So, an experienced driver proceeds to consider the option - do-it-yourself shock absorber repair. And it's good if it doesn't have a pumped shock absorber. This is a type of shock absorber with a change in gas pressure, which allows you to change the performance in the event of a heavy load on the vehicle.
The fact is that often pumped shock absorbers are presented as an additional option. And they do their job perfectly until the moment of failure. And this is where an unpleasant streak begins for the car owner. Repair of shock absorbers with pumping consists in muffling the hydraulic fluid pipes and installing the rear struts as an assembly, ordinary, without frills.
The cost of a new pumped shock absorber runs into the hundreds of dollars. Whether the repair of gas shock absorbers. In principle, the repair of gas shock absorbers is not much different from the repair of hydraulic mechanisms. It is possible to do it yourself if you have certain special equipment.
As for the restoration of shock absorbers. I don’t want to question the skill of auto mechanics, but there is such a thing as “the voice of the people”. You can hear it on a variety of automotive forums, where people share their impressions and experiences. The restoration of shock absorbers is viewed exclusively from a negative point of view.
A defective shock absorber is not a spare part that should be saved on, and the savings are doubtful, because the guarantee of the mileage of the restored shock absorber is minimal.
VIDEO
Given the importance of the tasks performed by shock absorbers in a car, it is strongly recommended to repair shock absorbers only repairable and only using original components. Repair or restoration of non-separable shock absorbers is a dubious way out.
Moreover, it is categorically not recommended by the manufacturer. And do not forget - in the event of an insured event, insurers use any interference with the original construct as a reason for refusing to pay.
Replacing a faulty shock absorber with a new pleasure is not cheap, but you have a guarantee for at least 3-4 years in the mode of correct operation of the car.
Video (click to play).
Good luck to you lovers of your car.
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