I think it's really important to know a bit about the internals of a car, so that when you are getting your car serviced you can talk intelligently with the auto technician. As well, there are many easy DIY jobs you can do on your car to save your some money which can make all the difference when you are young and starting out. This site is where I am recording everything I am teaching my kids about auto servicing, and because I think it will be useful to many other families as well. I hope you find it useful for your family.
Teaching my kids abouts cars
Is Your Daily Car Ride Bumpier Than It Should Be?
Kenzi Jacobs
Most people understand the importance of a shock absorption system on a typical car. They know that they would be in for a very rough ride if the vehicle were not so equipped, but in truth, they would not be able to operate the car without this type of balancing act. In this case, the vehicle would not be able to deviate from a straight line and would have a tendency to fall over instead. So given the importance of these parts, when was the last time that you had a look at their condition? Would you know what to look for anyway?
Shock Absorption System
Most vehicles today are fitted with MacPherson struts and coil springs, at least on the front. The spring is placed over the strut mechanism, and this combination is then mounted to the vehicle's frame. A sophisticated strut mount connects everything to the underside of the inner wing, and the bottom part connects directly to the wheel hub.
How It All Works
This spring will start to move up and down when the car goes over a bump in the road to temper the effect. As this happens, fluid within the strut will be moved, under pressure, through internal chambers. This will offset the action of the spring and control it so that it can't bounce up and down forever. Together, the shock absorber and the spring will make easy work of any bump in the road and will also hold the vehicle in a stable position when you are driving around a corner.
Problem Areas
As you can imagine, the interior of the shock absorber is quite complicated. It's filled with a special fluid, and there are also various valves that open and close at certain times. These valves may begin to fail after a certain time, and seals may begin to perish, allowing the liquid to leak out. Occasionally, the springs themselves may suffer some damage, although they are designed to last a lot longer than the shock absorbers. You also need to ensure that the top mounting mechanism remains in good condition, as these parts endure a tremendous amount of stress during their everyday life.
What You Should Do
If you've noticed that your ride is not as smooth as it used to be, it's time to take the vehicle to an auto repair shop. Ask the mechanics to have a good look at the condition of your shock absorption system to see if they can find anything untoward. It's always a good idea to look for leaks and test efficiency during a regular service anyway.
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