SHOCK ABSORBER COURSE 2014

The Background and History

• Started In South Africa In 1935

• 79 Years Foundation In The South African Market

• Market Leader In Sales And Brand Awareness for the past 36 Years
1962 = 16% 1977 = 50% 2006 = 65% 2010 = 68% 2012 = 69%

• Locally designed and manufactured for South African conditions

• Product Range Focus - Aftermarket Sector – Primary 5 To 15 Year Old Vehicle

Pool
FUNCTIONS OF A SHOCK ABSORBER
PRIMARY FUNCTION

To keep the wheels in contact with the road.

SECONDARY FUNCTION

To ensure more accurate control and steering of the vehicle.

THIRD FUNCTION

To correct phasing.

TYPES OF SHOCK ABSORBERS
TYPES OF SHOCK ABSORBERS
THE GABRIEL PRODUCT RANGE
1. The Gas pressurised range

GAS RYDER

This is a full range of shock absorbers, spring seat shock absorbers, MacPherson struts and
MacPherson cartridges.

They provide outstanding levels of comfort and road holding because the gas pressurisation
improves the shock absorber response speed to road surface changes.

Average Gas Pressure is 250N

THE GABRIEL PRODUCT RANGE

2. The Hydraulic (non-gas) range

Technomatic:
Struts, Cartridges & Spring Seat Shocks

Fleet Ryder:
The Truck and Bus range
THE GABRIEL PRODUCT RANGE

3. The Low pressure gas range (Safari & Technomatic)

This is a range of low pressure shocks built for passenger vehicles, ½ and 1
ton LDV’s and SUV’s

Average Gas pressure is 100N

THE GABRIEL PRODUCT RANGE
SAFARI HDP(Heavy Duty Performance)
Gabriel Safari HDP – Product Features
· Ø35, Ø41 or Ø46 Big bore Working Cylinder
· High temperature oil that can operate effectively at 180ºC
· Viton rod seal
· Hydraulic stop lock
· 360º reinforce welded mounts
· Solid Machined eye rings
· Durable polyurethane / rubber mounting bushes
· Teflon DU bushes in rod guides
· Velocity sensitive valving
· 3 years unlimited kilometres warranty
THE GABRIEL PRODUCT RANGE
Gabriel Gas Lift Range

Gabriel manufacture a range of Industrial as well as

a range of Automotive Gas Lifts.

The industrial range consist of two sizes, the 4000 and 4100
Series.
The 4000 series has an 8mm shaft and can be
pumped to a maximum pressure of 500N.
4100 series has a 10mm shaft and can be pumped to a maximum pressure
of 1000N
The industrial range can be pumped by resellers while the
Automotive range are vehicle specific.
TYPES OF SHOCK ABSORBERS
GAS PRESSURISED VS. HYDRAULIC SHOCKS

Advantages of Gas Pressurised Shocks

•FASTER RESPONSE, thus giving enhanced contact

between tyre and road.

•Enhanced RIDE CONTROL.

•GREATER RESISTANCE to fade.

•QUIETER OPERATION than conventional shock

absorbers.

•LESS possibility of the OIL FOAMING during hard

use.
WORN SHOCK ABSORBERS
Why shock absorbers wear out

There are between 30 and 40 precision engineered parts inside a shock.

They include valves, valve seats and springs, pistons, a piston rod and a
number of high precision rubbers and seals.
SHOCK COMPONENTS
SIGNS OF WORN SHOCKS
SIGNS AND PROBLEMS

1. Excessive and uneven tyre wear

2. Poor suspension control
3. Uneven braking
4. Poor ride control

Shocks and Struts:

• Are the tyres wearing unevenly?
• Does the vehicle continue to rock more than twice front to back?
• Does the vehicle lean to a point where control might be negatively affected?
• Does the vehicle bounce more than twice after going over a bump in the road?
• Is the vehicle ride harsh or bumpy?
• Does the vehicle not have great stopping ability?
SALES POINTERS
SALES POINTERS
Strut Cushion / Bump Rubber
SALES POINTERS

Complaints, Claims and their causes.

Faults – the most common complaints are:

1. Loss of fluid (leaking)

This is caused by a damaged piston shaft, thereby damaging the seal.

2. ‘Knocking through’ or ‘bumping’

This is sometimes attributed to the shock absorber being soft, but it could be weak springs
or suspension.

3. Broken or worn mountings or bushes.

This is caused by age. It causes noise and limits or eliminates effectiveness.
SALES POINTERS
4. Shock absorber body damage, e.g. dents
Stones striking the shock absorber usually cause this. Another cause is the vehicle striking
a sand bank, ditch, or pavement etc.

5. Bent shaft
The vehicle striking something could cause the piston to jam and unscrew.

6. Loose dust cover.

This is often caused by stones striking the shock absorber, but can also be caused by the
vehicle striking something. The weld pulls loose on the dust cover, resulting in rattling.

7. Swish.
Sometimes there will be a swishing sound when a shock absorber is worked. This is caused
by oil moving from a high to a low-pressure area through the valve.
SALES POINTERS
The Benefits.

a) Good shocks cut costs because worn ones cause tyre wear, damage the suspension etc.

b) Good shocks enhance safety.

Cars with worn shocks sway dangerously.

c) Good shocks enhance comfort by providing a smoother ride.

d) Good shocks improve performance.

Worn shocks affect brake control, etc.
FAULT ANALYSIS
3. Oil Leakage

Usually, leakage is from the rod seal or from the spin

seal. More rarely an end cap seam weld will leak, and
occasionally stone damage will cause
leakage from the inter cylinder.
All Gabriel GasRyders, Technomatic, Safari and
Safari HDP shocks carry a 3 year unlimited
mileage warranty.
Gabriel Fleetryders and Gas Lifts carry a 1 year
warranty.
THANK YOU