Getting to Know Your Suspension - Shocks

The Importance Of Semi-Truck Shocks

If you drive a semi-truck, then you know how important it is to keep your suspension in perfect working order. When you hit a bump in the road, your vehicle's suspension system moves to that the tires can stay on the road. One of the biggest components in your suspension system is the shocks. They dampen the movement of the springs by converting the kinetic energy into thermal energy. Used in conjunction with cushions and springs, shock absorbers contain spring-loaded check valves and orifices to control the flow of oil through an internal piston.

If you've wanted to increase your knowledge on the shocks in your semi-truck, then you've come to the right place. Our experts have put together the following article on the ins and outs of your shock absorbers for you to read through. Continue reading to learn more about your semi-truck's shock absorbers!

What Are Semi-Truck Shocks?

Shock absorbers control the impact and rebound movement of your vehicle's springs and suspension. They ensure that the vehicle's tires remain in contact with the road surface at all times while helping to cushion the load of the truck.

Shock absorbers are critical safety components that can affect tire wear, stability, braking, vibration, driver comfort, and the life of other steering and suspension parts. They are designed to help keep vehicles grounded when roads are instable on construction sites, or highways that have cracks in the road. Additionally, they are useful after winter when brittle roads can create an increase in potholes.

What Are the Different Types of Shock Absorbers?

In today's vehicles, there are two types of shock absorbers available, twin-tube and mono-tube. Each of these types has their own advantages, however, there are several options to consider when choosing which type of shock system is right for your needs.

Types of Twin-Tube Shock Absorbers Include:

1. Basic Twin-Tube: Otherwise referred to as a "two-tube" shock absorber, this device has two nested cylindrical tubes, an inner tube called a "working tube", and an outer tube called the "reserve tube". At the bottom of the shock absorber there is a compression valve. When the piston is moved, hydraulic fluid flows between different chambers via the shock's orifices via the valve.


2. Gas Charged Twin-Tube: The overall structure of a gas-charged twin-tube shock is very similar to the basic twin-tube, with the added benefit of a low-pressure charge of nitrogen gas that is added to the reserve tube.


3. Position Sensitive Dampening: The Position Sensitive Dampening (PSD) design also stems from the basic twin-tube shock. In a PSD shock absorber, a set of grooves is added to the pressure tube. The grooves in the pressure tube let the piston move more freely in the middle range of travel. As well, the design helps move with significantly less freedom in response to the piston moving up and down on bumpy surfaces.


4. Acceleration sensitive damping: Acceleration Sensitive Dampening (ASD) senses and responds not only to situational changes from bumpy to smooth, but to individual bumps in the road with an instant reaction.


5. Coilover: These types of shock absorbers are a type of twin-tube gas charged shock absorber that sits inside of the helical road spring.

Types of Mono-Tube Shocks Include:

1. Basic Mono-Tube Design: the mono-tube shock is a gas-pressurized shock that also comes in a coilover format. This design type consists of only one tube, the pressure tube, though it does have two pistons. These are called working pistons and they move in relative synchrony inside the pressure tube in response to bumps in the road. The mono-tube shock absorber overall has a much longer design than the twin-tubes. Though it is filled with nitrogen gas, a mono-tube shock is under high pressure. This can help it to support some of the vehicle's weight, which no other shock absorber is designed for.

What Do Semi-Truck Shock Absorbers Do?

Shock absorbers serve several functions when it comes to keeping your vehicle stable. They control spring movement, protect springs and airbags, help keep tires in contact with the road, and reduce cost per mile. Here are a few of the vital functions they perform ( What Shock Absorbers Do).

1. Control spring movement: Shocks work with your commercial vehicle's suspension system to maintain your tire's road contact by controlling spring movement.


2. Protects springs and airbags: Shocks work with a commercial truck's springs. If one is isn't strong, the other will wear our quickly.


3. Helps keep tires in contact with the road: Maintaining firm contact with the road is integral for safe steering, handling, and load control.


4. Provide extension stop for air suspensions: If extension limits are exceeded, damage to the air spring and the truck may occur.


5. Transform movement to heat: Dampers take the kinetic energy produced by suspension movement and turns it into thermal energy, which is dissipated through the vehicle's hydraulic fluid.


6. Reduce cost per mile: Properly functioning shocks can help reduce operating expenses by extending tire life and reducing wear and tear on equipment.

How To Identify Worn Shocks

While there are a multitude of reasons that help determine the life of your shocks, experiencing any of these seven symptoms means it's time for replacements ( 7 Signs Of Worn Shocks And Struts).

1. Instability at highway speeds: If your vehicle doesn't feel stable on the highway and moves up and down more than usual, then you'll want to check your shocks. The movement may be slight, but you'll definitely notice it.


2. Vehicle tips to one side in turns: If your vehicle leans when you're taking sharp turns, or your vehicle tips to the outside of the turn.


3. The front-end dives more than expected during hard braking: This may not be noticeable until you have to hit the brakes a little harder.


4. Rear-end squat during acceleration: The front of your vehicle will rise some while the rear end will squat during hard acceleration.


5. Tires bouncing excessively: After hitting a bump, you'll be able to feel a tire reacting. You may also hear a clunking noise.


6. Unusual tire wear: If your shocks are bad, the tread of your tires wear in a wavy manner instead of evenly.


7. Leaking fluid on the exterior of shocks or struts: If this is occurring, then the seals have broken, and essential fluids are escaping.

Match Made Shocks

Match Made shock absorbers are meticulously designed by professional engineers who aim to provide you with the best possible products for your semi-truck at extremely competitive prices. Each component of these impeccable shock absorbers was developed to be an enhanced version of its predecessor. When compared to other leading brands like Gabriel and Monroe (both of which are among the top names in the trucking industry), Match Made shocks offer several additional benefits designed to provide truckers with a superior product. Some features of Match Made shock absorbers for semi-trucks include:

1. Chrome plated piston rods.
2. PTFE piston seal with anti-corrosive and non-reactive components.
3. 40% thicker inner working tube than competing shocks.
4. Proprietary bushing formulation with a unique oil seal that offers 10% less loss of shock oil.
5. Upper and lower valve packages that are made with 100% disk technology.
6. Welded with the highest breaking point in the industry.

If you would like to learn more about Match Made shocks, take a look at our article that explains exactly what they are, how they work, and how they stack up to the competition.

1. Match Made Shocks

Read More About Suspension Systems!

Now that you know more about the shock absorbers in your semi-truck, the next step is to read more about the other components that make up your suspension system. Here are several articles we've written on the subject of your suspension system.

1. Getting To Know Your Suspension System
2. Getting To Know Your Suspension: Torque Rods
3. Getting To Know Your Suspension: Leaf Springs
4. Getting To Know Your Suspension: U-Bolts
5. Getting To Know Your Suspension: Bushings
6. Getting To Know Your Suspension: Stabilizers

Shock Absorber Cross References

Do you have a particular shock absorber in mind? If so, we have a full section of cross-referenced shocks for you to choose from. We've made it easy for you to find the exact shock absorber you've been looking for to fit your needs and applications!

• Shock Absorbers Cross Reference

Shop Shock Absorbers Now!

If your semi-truck needs new shocks , then we have a huge stock for you to choose from. Whether you are looking for products from Match Made , Gabriel , or Monroe , we have a massive selection of shocks for you to choose from. Shop our online store now for amazing deals on replacement shock absorbers for your commercial vehicle!