Maximize the life and performance of new shock absorbers

Installing new shock absorbers & struts can bring significant benefits to any vehicle, including increased handling precision, improved comfort, greater stability and reduced braking distance. But it is important to think about protecting the shocks themselves. In fact, the shock & strut replacement job is not complete without the installation of a new Protection Kit for each new shock & strut. 

This article will focus on the importance of Protection Kits, including their purpose, benefits and the potential risks that can come with re-using old kit components.

What is a Protection Kit?
 

A Protection Kit features two important components for each new shock & strut: a robust dirt shield and a compression bumper. The dirt shield helps extend shock life by shielding the shock & strut’s piston rod from corrosion and physical damage caused by dirt, water, rocks and other debris. The compression bumper plays an equally important role controlling and limiting roll, pitch and dive movements of the vehicle when turning, accelerating or braking.  At the same time, Protection Kits play an important role preventing mechanical damage of the strut during extreme spring compressions such as when the vehicle hits a deep, a road object, a speed limiter or is turning on a closed curve at high speed.

The Protection Kit’s dirt shield is designed to protect the piston rod and internal oil seal from corrosion and damage that can occur in everyday driving situations. Constructed from a high-strength thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, this shield helps protect the shock’s & strut’s smooth, chrome-finished piston rod from corrosive elements found on every road – dirt, water, salt, small rocks, hot asphalt and other debris. An unprotected piston rod can quickly become scratched and pitted. When this occurs, the rod’s finish can abrade the shock & strut’s internal oil seal, eventually leading to a loss of the oil that is used to provide the shock’s damping force.

The compression bumper is made from high-quality, closed cell, microcellular polyurethane. This bumper is placed at the top of the piston rod, above the dirt shield. Its primary purpose is to prevent extreme vertical movement of the piston rod during the strut’s compression stroke. In extreme conditions, such as when the vehicle hits a curb or extremely deep hold, the resulting suspension movement can cause the shock to violently compress. When this occurs, the compression bumper can protect the strut from mechanical damage by absorbing much of the resulting inertial force.

The compression bumper also helps limiting a shock & strut’s stroke movement, providing an extra measure of stability around curves. A worn-out compression bumper’s stroke-limiting ability is reduced, meaning the vehicle might not hold the road as well when turning.