Buying the Best Auto Parts: Purchasing Shocks & Springs

Shock absorbers are used to cushion your car by dampening the bounce from the springs. Like a ball bounding, springs that have been put under pressure and released will bounce at regular intervals and will gradually slow down until they are still. However, if you have ever had the shock absorbers go out in your car, you know this is not an ideal way to travel. A comfortable ride depends on feeling as little of this bounce and “shock” as possible, thus the shock absorbers, or shocks.

Auto Parts and Shocks -- How it Works

The shocks work by converting the energy in the springs. They are hydraulic pumps that take on the energy of the spring when the car hits a bump, so you never feel the full impact of the bump—nor does the car continue to bounce as it would if there were only springs. As the spring coils and recoils, it shoves the energy through a piston rod in the shock and the piston in the hydraulic pump mitigates that energy.

When the car hits a bump and the pump in the shock absorber is under pressure, hydraulic fluids leak through the piston through small holes in the piston itself. This happens during what’s called the compression cycle. The extension cycle is when the piston moves back down and the fluid is then compressed in the area above the piston. These two conditions make it possible to keep your car steady through many different road conditions and help protect it from the ravages of vibrations and other damage.

When your shocks go out, you may start to get a “mushy” feel to your driving. You should get your shocks looked at and fixed immediately if this happens. It’s not a safe condition to drive in, and is definitely not comfortable.

Buying Auto Parts and Shocks

You can buy shocks and springs for your car at an auto parts store, and many people choose to install them at home. You can also order them on the internet through an auto parts website—there are many to choose from. However, like anything else regarding automobiles these days, it can be more complicated than it was in the past. For this reason, you may want to have an expert at an auto repair garage replace your shocks for you. Dampening the bounce in your car is not only a comfort feature, but a safety features as well. Don’t let your shocks get into horrible condition.