How Do Automotive Shock Absorbers Work?
Fluid-Filled Shocks By far the most common type, fluid-filled shock absorbers are filled with a viscous fluid that dampens the lumps and bumps felt by the suspension that would otherwise travel to the automobile itself. Shock absorbers convert the kinetic, or stored, energy of the suspension cycling to heat, which is released by the shock. Inside the shock body, there is a piston that moves up and down as the suspension cycles. When the tire moves up, the piston compresses the viscous fluid and causes heat, which dampens the motion of the springs. This is the reason that off-road racing automobile shocks employ a second reservoir to aid in the cooling of the fluid. When a fluid-filled shock overheats, seals blow, rendering the unit useless. Air-Filled Shocks Air shock absorbers work in much the same way. However, instead of implementing a viscous fluid for dampening work, the pistons compress the air inside the cylinder of the shock, creating heat. The heat from an air-filled shock gen
