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WHAT DO Commercial vehicle shock absorbers Q: A:control movement to help keep ABSORBERS DO? your in contact with the road

Shock absorbers are critical safety components that can affect wear, stability, braking, , driver comfort, and the life of other and suspension parts

THE VITAL FUNCTIONS THAT SHOCKS PERFORM:

»» Control spring movement »» Transform movement to heat Shocks work with a commercial truck’s These velocity-sensitive dampers transform suspension system to maintain tire-to-road the produced by suspension contact by controlling spring movement movement into thermal energy, which is »» Protects spring and air bags dissipated via hydraulic Shocks work with a commercial truck’s springs - if »» Reduced cost per mile one is weak, it will wear the other out quickly Properly functioning shocks can help reduce »» Help keep tires in contact with the road surface operating expenses by extending tire life, Maintaining firm tire-to-road contact is critical for reducing wear and tear to other components safe steering, handling and load control and protecting your trucks investment »» Provides extension stop for air suspensions »» When replacing worn air bags, If extension limits are exceeded, damage to the air remember to replace worn shocks spring - and the truck - may result WHY SHOCK ABSORBERS WEAR OUT Commercial vehicle shock absorbers wear out gradually over time from normal truck operation, and often present no visible or audible cues

The commercial vehicle operation may be unaware of shock wear. That’s why shocks should be routinely inspected and tested by a repair technician as part of scheduled truck maintenance.

Reasons for commercial vehicle shock wear: •• Deterioration through normal operation Each mile of operation averages 1750 stabilizing actions - 22 million cycles occur - on average - at 12,425 miles / 20,000 km - 88 million cycles occur - on average - at 49,700 miles / 80,000 km - 132 million cycles occur - on average - at 74,550 miles / 120,000 km •• deterioration Since you don’t change the oil in your shocks, over time, the internal hydraulic fluid loses viscosity and elasticity, impairing the unit’s ability to dissipate road impacts •• Deterioration of shock components The components within a shock absorber are made of metal, rubber and plastic, all of which eventually degrade through extended use, extreme heat, and adverse road and weather conditions •• Determination of a qualified repair technician Not all symptoms of shock deterioration are readily discernible; after a thorough inspection, a qualified repair technician may determine your truck’s shocks have worn to the extent that those units legitimately require replacement SIGNS YOUR VEHICLE NEEDS NEW SHOCKS Technicians follow strict guidelines to determine the condition of commercial vehicle shock absorbers

Shock absorbers, along with suspension and components, should be routinely inspected 1 and tested by a qualified repair technician as part of a scheduled maintenance program

Symptoms of worn shocks necessitating replacement:

1 Leaking from the unit, including leakage on the shock body

2 The unit has sustained physical damage, including dents 2 and worn or broken mounts 3 Cupped or uneven tire wear

4 Whenever any spring is replaced

5 When a truck nears a shock’s specified warranted mileage, or if the unit carries a mileage-related replacement recommendation 3 4 6 Check shock temperature: “If it’s cold, it’s old. If it’s hot, it’s not.” The unit should be extremely warm or hot after extended truck movement or travel during usage. Replacement recommendations: •• When replacing worn air bags, remember to replace worn shocks

•• Shocks should be a part of any and all truck inspections 5 Since shocks are an interconnected part of a truck’s suspension and braking systems, any worn parts could be an indication of difficult to discern wear •• Shocks should always be installed in pairs Since all ride control components are exposed to roughly the same level of wear, replacement of all shocks makes even more sense

when one unit is worn 6 •• Have your suspension checked before and after installing new shocks Since the shock also absorbs excessive movement caused by worn suspension components, make sure your shocks are not handling more impacts than necessary UNDERSTANDING THE SAFETY TRIANGLE Critical interconnected commercial vehicle steering, stopping and stability components

Just one worn component could effect a driver’s ability to avoid accidents, and compromise safety

Steering Shocks help distribute your truck’s weight over the tires, improving handling and steering during turns. Stopping Shocks and work together to help your truck stop sooner under certain driving conditions by minimizing What is the Safety Triangle Inspection? . The Safety Triangle Inspection checks critical interconnected system components that control steering, stopping and stability. Going beyond Stability tires and brakes to include shocks, torque rods, springs, tie rod ends, Shocks and tires king pins and a host of other suspension and parts, the Safety work together to help Triangle is vital to a driver’s ability to avoid accidents. Just one worn part maximize tire-to-road could diminish truck control and compromise safety. contact, improving For your safety, have a complete Safety Triangle Inspection every time truck stability your commercial vehicle is brought in for tire, brake or alignment service.

April 7, 2017 (38Monroe Shocks and Safety Info) DES MOINES CEDAR RAPIDS CLEAR LAKE 1436 E. Ovid Ave. 200 50th Ave. S.W. 840 Hwy. 18 W. office 515.265.1491 main 319.365.4453 main 641.357.7101 fax 515.265.4120 fax 319.365.6327 fax 641.357.8190 KANSAS CITY parts fax 800.314.4329 parts fax parts fax 800.548.9674 877.706.6085 5801 E. Front St. parts 800.888.0248 parts 800.332.5435 parts 800.397.5630 main 816.471.1552 DAVENPORT SIOUX CITY fax 816.471.0813 IOWA 8502 Northwest Blvd. 1819 E. 4th St. TRUCK PARTS parts 800.821.7402 TM main 563.322.2671 main 712.252.7969

SUPER STORE MISSOURI fax 563.322.5940 fax 712.252.6149 MIDWESTWHEEL.COM parts 800.553.1886 parts 800.943.3534