The Ultimate 4WD Shock Absorber Guide

Author: Josh

Everything you NEED to Know About Shock Absorbers

Shock absorbers are hydraulic (oil) pump-like devices that help to control the impact and rebound movement of your vehicle’s springs and suspension. Along with smoothing out bumps and vibrations, the key role of the shock absorber is to ensure that the vehicle’s tyres remain in contact with the road surface at all times, which ensures the safest control and braking response from your car. 

Essentially, shock absorbers do two things. Apart from controlling the movement of springs and suspension, shock absorbers also keep your tyres in contact with the ground at all times. At rest or in motion, the bottom surface of your tyres is the only part of your vehicle in contact with the road. Any time that a tyre’s contact with the ground is broken or reduced, your ability to drive, steer and brake is severely compromised. Despite popular belief, shock absorbers do not support the weight of a vehicle, that is the job of the springs.

Finding the right type or brand of shock absorber can be a difficult task as the perfect fit can vary greatly depending on your vehicle’s need and personal preferences. Not to worry, we’ve formulated the ultimate guide for choosing shock absorbers.
 

All shock absorbers have different types of styles to cope with different styles of driving and types of vehicles. Shock absorbers can either come equipped with twin tube or monotube construction each with their own benefits. Here’s what types of shocks to consider when choosing the right suspension system for your vehicle:

OE Replacement: Designed to simply restore your vehicle's suspension back to the level of balance and comfort it had from factory. Cheaper and less dramas with installation.
Heavy Duty/Off-Road: Designed with larger oil tubes and high capacities for heat and pressure for increased performance offroad. Made of thicker heavier duty materials to deal with increased level of shock.
Foam Cell Heavy Duty:  Microcellular foam insert that helps to drastically reduce the effects of shock fade, allowing your shocks to perform better for longer, even on the harshest of corrugations. This eliminates the possibility of bubbles forming, allowing the shock to get on with the job with an unparalleled resistance to shock fade.
Monotube:  Monotube shock absorbers are designed for next level performance over twin tube shocks in those hot, harsh, demanding conditions. By utilising the monotube design, monotube shock absorbers are able to resist fade far longer on corrugated roads, long or hard working 4WD trips, towing or racing conditions.
Monotube Remote Reservoir: Combining the best in high performance race-bred Monotube technology, with an all new 3-way damping adjustment system to turn your 4x4 into the ultimate off-road machine. Each component of the MRR shock absorber has been refined and improved to offer a higher level of ride quality, vehicle control and shock absorber performance. Separate reservoir to assist in cooling the shock resisting shock fade at extremely high levels.

 

 Webco Shocks:

• High quality budget shock absorbers with a wide range of styles from oe replacements, Heavy Duty, Foamcell and even Monotube Adjustable shocks.

• Amazing choice if you’re after an entry level 4WD suspension system.

 KYB Shocks:

• Japanese brand, one of the world's largest manufacturers of OE-level shock absorbers.

• KYB's Skorched 4s range also caters for entry-level off-roading.

• Great picks for daily driver and basic offroading suspension systems.

 Raw 4x4 Shocks:

• 4x4-centric Australian manufacturer of shocks, focusing purely on the biggest and baddest vehicles on Australia's roads.

• Come in 3 separate ranges: Nitro for everyday off-roading and light load-carrying, Nitro Max for heavy duty use, and Predator for aggressive off-roading and rally raids.

• Good choice for a middle range 4x4 suspension system for frequent light to medium offroading.

 EFS Shocks:

• High quality mid range shock absorbers with 3 different series; Enforcer, Elite & XTR. 

• Great for heavy off roading and daily driving.

 Bilstein Shocks:

• One of the world's most famous performance suspension houses, producing globally renowned shocks for OE, performance and 4x4 use.

• Bilstein B6 range, a high performance sports range designed for both off-roading and sports car use.

• One of the highest quality and comfortable 4WD suspension systems on the market, great for long distance touring and heavy offroading.

 Dobinsons Shocks:

• With serious 4x4 owners now pushing their vehicles through harder, harsher terrain with more accessories fitted to their 4x4’s than ever before Dobinsons saw the need for a no compromise, performance engineered shock absorbers that offers the ultimate in performance.

• Dobinsons MRR shock absorbers are one of the greatest 4x4 suspension systems for intense offroading boasting one of the highest performing shock absorbers money can buy.

 

That concludes our shock absorber guide, if you’re still scratching your head feel free to give one of our experts a call on 02 8711 9711 where we can customize you a suspension kit to suit your vehicle’s specific needs.