Monotube or Twin-Tube Dampers / Shocks? Posted on 22 Sep 2021 What are monotube and twin-tube dampers / shocks? When looking at upgrading or replacing the dampers on your road car there are two main options. Monotube or twin-tube dampers. One of the main functions of a shock absorber is to dampen the effect of potholes or bumps on the road whilst you are driving. Giving you and your passengers a comfortable journey. Monotube dampers have one chamber that contains both oil and gas. There is a floating piston to separate them and ensure that oil and gas do not mix. This provides a more reliable and supportive ride. Twin-tube dampers work differently. They have two chambers, one containing the oil and the other containing the gas. When the damper is working hard, oil flows between the two to soften the ride. When your vehicle has a stable damping force it means you will have a high quality and responsive ride with pressure distributed equally. Monotube dampers offer a better ride as they are built with a single valve to spread the pressure equally. Twin-tube dampers tend to use multiple valves on one piston. The piston used in a Monotube damper is normally larger than that of a twin-tube equivalent. With an increased surface area and capacity Monotube dampers can hold a larger amount of oil which helps reduce heat quicker and also reduces that chances of fading. Advantages of Monotube Dampers At higher operating temperatures the oil is able to release heat with less effort Can be installed vertically or horizontally Less prone to cavitation Larger oil capacity and greater heat dissipation allows a stable and continuous damping force Oil and gas are completely separated, meaning air cannot mix the two Manufactured with a larger piston, allowing a wider area of pressure Advantages of Twin-tube Dampers Gas pressure remains low due to the base valve, creating a comfortable ride Friction can be stopped Low gas pressure reduces stress on seals and keeps friction to a minimum Because the oil and gas chamber are separated, the required amount of stoke is easier to manufacture External damage to the body does not automatically affect the damper
Tender and Helper Springs 7 October 2021 Tender springs and helper springs can often be confused or mistaken for one another. They are placed in the same location but have very different roles within a suspension set up. Both types of spring must be used with a main spring. Helper springs are visually short, and manufactured using thin, flat wire. This spring will sit above or below the main spring using a middle adaptor to hold it in place. Its primary purpose is to keep the main […]
Car Suspension Maintenance and Signs of Failure 1 August 2021 Keeping cars and other vehicles running safely and efficiently requires some maintenance. The suspension supports the vehicle from the ground up, and it allows a car to ride smoothly over bumps, over potholes and to turn safely and reliably, whilst maintaining its balance. Luckily, modern suspensions such as Avo don’t require a large amount of maintenance, however they are built and designed for service and rebuild if required. It is important to check that the tyres are inflated to the […]