Shock Absorption
Protect yourself from after-purchase shocks by examining the underside of the car thoroughly

Shocks on the road
Even on what appears to be the smoothest of roads, there are innumerable miniscule bumps and shocks that your car is subjected to. The one reason you don't feel them inside is because the car's suspension system is designed to absorb those shocks. You will be able to feel them only in two situations. First, when the shocks are large enough for your car's shock absorbers to be unable to completely absorb them. Or, when your shock absorbers are past their prime and are loosing their ability to absorb anything. In the latter scenario, you will need to get them changed. Sooner than later. And that is the one thing that you don't want to do after you've just driven that car out of the previous owner's garage because it will cost you extra money. Read our primer to ensure that the vehicle you are about to buy has shock absorbers that are in fairly good condition.

Check for sagging
Step back by about 15 to 20 feet from the car and observe its stance when stationary. The car should sit straight. Is the body of the vehicle parallel to the ground or is it leaning to one side? If it is the former then the car's stance is fine. If however, it appears to lean on one side then the shock absorbers on that side have become weak and are sagging. Do not buy the vehicle. Sagging can also occur in all the shock absorbers. To check whether you need to change shock absorbers or whether the current set will serve you fine press down hard on one corner of the car and then release your grip immediately. If the car keeps bouncing up and down then you are probably looking at a change of shockers for the vehicle.

What is a shock absorber?
Contrary to popular belief, a shock absorber does not support the vehicle's weight. It is an oil piston that controls the upward and downward movements of the spring and the suspension by slowing them down. The condition of this vital piece of equipment in the car will influence the ride quality and driving control of the car.

Aftershocks
Bad or weak shock absorbers, other than affecting the comfort factor and the ride quality, have a direct impact on the saf-ety of the vehicle. On a twisty mountain road, like the one to Yitti, you will have less control of the vehicle because weak shock absorbers will allow the wheels to become airborne during tight cornering. They also affect the car's braking ability, as they will be unable to absorb the dive induced by the vehicle's momentum.

TYPES OF SHOCKERS
Hydraulic shock absorbers
Hydraulic systems involve the passage of oil through a narrow orifice, thus absorbing shocks

Pneumatic shock absorbers
Compression of a gas in pneu matic absorbers acts like springs as the air inside absorb shocks

Magnetic eddy current dampers
Magnetic eddy current dampers are dashpots that are constructed from a large magnet inside a non-magnetic tube that conducts electricity