Are the Gas Shock Absorbers really superior in absorbing bumps ?

[mithun]

We are having Gas Shock Absorbers in cars like Getz and in bikes like Pulsars and Enfield Electra. And Gas Shock Absorbers were not available for long in the bikes in India. But some mechanics are of the opinion that Gas Shock Absorbers are simply waste of money and will never last longer. Is this true ?

I know that the comfort level of a car depends on a number of factors in addition to the Shocks. But are these Gas Shock Absorbers really superior in absorbing bumps when compared to our old ones ?

OR is it just a marketing gimmick from the part of car manufacturers ?

I know that regular shocks come with Oil which is the damping fluid. Now when you use them for long periods, oil loses its property since the density of the oil changes because :

1. When the compression happens air mixing with Oil whereby it decreases the damping effect.

2. Development of heat on prolonged usage. Heat makes the oil thin thereby reducing the damping effect.

These drastically affect the shocks performance on long rides or on big stretch of bad roads.

And also the gas inside the Gas Shock Absorbers can be refilled...

What are the other advantages of Gas Shock Absorbers ?

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by mithun

I know that regular shocks come with Oil which is the damping fluid. Now when you use them for long periods, oil loses its property since the density of the oil changes because :

1. When the compression happens air mixing with Oil whereby it decreases the damping effect.

2. Development of heat on prolonged usage. Heat makes the oil thin thereby reducing the damping effect.

:[/b]

You have answered your questions already, in addition, the heat and energy creates bubbles which distort the hydraulic effect. Gas does not bubble. Therefore, if you are pushing your car, you know what to get

not sure re: refilling though.

If you are the average Hyundai Accent (sorry Rehaan!) / NHC/ indigo driver, gas is irrelevant !!!

[Rehaan]

Well that didnt stop Hyundai - I know that the accents made a shift over to gas sometime around end of 2003 / early 2004 if i am not mistaken.

cya
R

[Technocrat]

Well donno much about cars but in Bikes I have observed ZMA & CBZ achieving better damping of jerks *& overall better suspension w\o use of Gas shocks wrt to pulsars with gas shocks.

[Mpower]

Just like brake fade, shocks can also fade on long bumpy stretches. Gas prevents this.
Dunno about accent, I observed an TVS-Apache recently, its got a 'Monotube' gas shock, which is a more sophisticated product.

[Technocrat]

From what i have heard after a period of time even the gas needs to filled up.

[wolfinstein]

Does that really matter, Every Shock abosorber has a life- Using Gas will only extend it a little over...Besides a shock absorber has rubber bushes as well as coil springs..So Gas or Oil...Its just a Modern Tech.

[giri]

http://www.mobil1.com/USA-English/Mo...r_a_Shock.aspx

[parimal_vb]

Gas filled suspensions are good than the conventionals, the experience with gas is good than the oill ones ( Escorts make is good for GAS). They reduce the bumy ride much to softer. Specially for the leaf spring vehicles these one are the best.

[GrayBerry]

Hi All,
Am planning to replace my shocks for my Machismo A350, fluid filled ones cost about Rs850 per pair and Gas filled ones cost Rs 1600 + per pair, can anyone suggest based on your experience?

[jinojohnt]

In my 800cc Alto, rear dampers are gas-filled, while front dampers are normal (oil) ones. Wonder what's Maruti's logic for this.

[Rehaan]

jinojohnt,

I'm just guessing here, but it could be :

1) For some reason the oil dampers handle the weight of the engine better ?

2) Cost cutting meant that gas-filled dampers were only used at the rear to aid ride quality ?

cya
R

[blackfire_9]

Originally Posted by jinojohnt

In my 800cc Alto, rear dampers are gas-filled, while front dampers are normal (oil) ones. Wonder what's Maruti's logic for this.

Hey mate, what model (year of manufacture) is your car? I have a 2004 model, & it has oil shocks in the rear as well. I know because my rear shockers have started leaking, not too much though & soon enough I would need to get them changed.

Drive safe.

[jinojohnt]

Originally Posted by Rehaan

2) Cost cutting meant that gas-filled dampers were only used at the rear to aid ride quality ?

Cost cutting could be a reason. In all probability, the model that was sold in Europe would have had gas dampers at the front too.

Originally Posted by blackfire_9

Hey mate, what model (year of manufacture) is your car? I have a 2004 model, & it has oil shocks in the rear as well.

Mine is Alto Lxi, August 2008 Model. In my User Manual Section 9-5, I saw the following text:
"Warning: The rear shock absorbers are filled with high pressure gas. Never attempt to disassemble it or throw it into a fire. Avoid storing it near a heater or heating device. When scrapping the absorber, the gas must be released from the absorber safely. Ask your dealer for assistance."

[novice]

I owned cars with Oil and Gas dampers. From my experience I can say GAS filled dampers don't last long. But they do provide better damping than OIL filled ones. Also GAS dampers can't be repaired unlike the OIL filled units.