Shock absorbers, also known as vibration dampers, are essential components of a motor vehicle that contribute significantly to safety and ride comfort. They are responsible for softening the vibrations and oscillations caused by bumps in the road or high speeds. Despite their name, shock absorbers not only absorb shocks, but also reduce and slow down the vibrations of the vehicle's suspension, which enables stable and safe driving behaviour.

What is a shock absorber?

A shock absorber set, i.e. the front and rear shock absorbers, together with the springs, form the connecting links between the wheel suspension and the body. However, shock absorbers should actually be called vibration dampers, as they dampen the vibrations of a vehicle's suspension and thus ensure stability and ride comfort. This works as follows: When travelling on an uneven road, the steel springs on the wheels compensate for potholes or edges, for example, and start to vibrate as they spring back. It is now the task of the shock absorbers to dampen these vibrations of the suspension springs - and thus of the body - and to minimise the body movements of the vehicle. Without this damping, the chassis would continue to oscillate for seconds, significantly reducing driving stability.

The function of the shock absorber

The primary task of the shock absorber is to contain the vibrations caused by the movement of the vehicle. A vehicle's suspension absorbs bumps in the road, causing vibrations that can rock the vehicle. Without shock absorbers, the vehicle would dip and bounce after every bump, resulting in an unsafe and uncomfortable ride. Shock absorbers basically work as energy converters. They convert the kinetic energy of the spring into heat through fluid friction. This conversion takes place when the damper piston is moved up and down in a cylinder filled with oil. The movement of the damper piston is slowed down by valve passages to such an extent that the spring oscillation is directly reduced.

Why are shock absorbers relevant to safety?

A car without functioning shock absorbers is practically undriveable. A single defective shock absorber can destabilise the chassis and make the vehicle uncontrollable in extreme situations. It is therefore important to check the shock absorbers regularly and replace them if necessary to ensure the safety of the vehicle. Shock absorbers are safety-relevant components because, together with the tyres, they ensure contact with the road. Defective shock absorbers impair driving stability and reduce the grip of the tyres. In addition, safety-relevant assistance systems such as ABS, ASR and ESP can only function successfully if the shock absorbers are working properly. Replacing shock absorbers is therefore urgently required in the event of a defect in order to ensure driving safety. Especially as individual shock absorbers or a complete shock absorber set can be fitted relatively quickly in specialist workshops. MEYLE shock absorbers are an ideal solution for cars - a perfect fit, durable and in 100% OE-compliant quality for around 70 per cent of the European car fleet with 255 million vehicle models.

Note: Shock absorbers play a decisive role in the safety and driving comfort of a vehicle. It is therefore essential to check them regularly and replace them if necessary. A defective shock absorber can significantly impair driving behaviour and increase the risk of an accident. It is therefore important to visit a specialist workshop immediately if you suspect a defective shock absorber.