Shock Absorber
- Left side installation shown, right side installation is similar.
- Adaptive shock absorber shown, standard shock absorber is similar.
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| 1 | Dust cap |
| 2 | Spring aid |
| 3 | Shock absorber piston rod |
| 4 | Adaptive shock absorber control valve (if equipped) |
| 5 | Shock absorber body |
| 5 | Boot |
| 6 | Top mount |
| 7 | Locknut |
The shock absorber assembly is a twin-tube design. The lower end of the shock absorber is equipped with a bush and is attached to the wheel knuckle. The shock absorber top mount is secured to the vehicle body with 2 nuts.
Depending on vehicle specification, the shock absorber is either a conventional shock absorber or an adaptive shock absorber.
The conventional shock absorber functions by restricting the flow of hydraulic fluid through 2 valves. The piston valve is located at the end of the shock absorber piston rod. The base valve is located in the base of the outer tube. The shock absorber piston rod moves axially within the shock absorber body. The piston, thus the rod movement is limited by the flow of fluid through the valves, providing damping of undulations in the terrain.
In addition to the piston valve and the base valve, the adaptive shock absorber comprises a control valve. The control valve is used to control the flow of the fluid electrically, which allows the damping rate to be varied.
For additional information, Refer to: VEHICLE DYNAMIC SUSPENSION .
The shock absorber piston rod is sealed at its exit point from the shock absorber body. The piston rod seal maintains the fluid within the unit and to prevent the ingress of dirt and moisture. The seal also incorporates a wiper to keep the rod clean.