Archive for August, 2007

How the Koni FSD Works

Wednesday, August 8th, 2007

Koni FSD

Shock absorbers are mostly accessible at the Bilstein shocks. These shock absorbers are basically oil pumps strategically placed in between the wheels and the frame of the car. The shock absorbers upper mount is connected to the frame while its lower mount is connected to the axle, near the wheel. When encountering a bump in the road, the springs coils and uncoils. From this coiling and uncoiling, the energy of the spring is then transferred to the shock absorber by means of the upper mount, down through the piston rod and into the piston.

Majority of standard shock absorbers out in the market nowadays have a damping characteristic mainly defined by the flow of oil through the piston assembly. The Koni worked out on this and added on a twist to come up with a new Koni shock. It combines the features of standard shock absorbers with their own invention, the Frequency Selected Damping (FSD). Koni added a special valve that is able to control the oil flow parallel to the one in the piston rod. This parallel oil flow is thus closed by the FSD feature. This gives a rise in the damping force, which is almost linear with the time the piston moves in one direction.

In simpler terms: the FSD feature is a hydraulic amplifier that delays the build up of pressure. Through this, an extra tuning option is created and vehicle owners can get the best car handling and ride comfort possible. Since the FSD is integrated into the hydraulic valve system, no additional cables, sensors and other electronic devices are needed for it to function.

The Wonders of a Koni FSD

Tuesday, August 7th, 2007

Koni FSD

A good number of shock absorbers are designed to offer a firmer ride and to boost ride comfort. Complete computerized systems available in the market can deliver both comfort and performance. The downside of it, however, is that it comes at too high a price for the average consumer to afford.

Koni, a name trusted from all over the world when it comes to shocks, struts, and suspension systems, have come up with the Koni FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) shock. The said Koni shock, is especially designed with the consumer’s need primarily in mind. It is engineered in a way that it is able to combine excellent road holding and handling characteristics without having to compromise the comfort levels it is able to provide. Koni considers their Koni FSD as a two-in-one solution—like hitting two birds with one stone. Moreover, the said Koni shock doesn’t require the installation of sophisticated electronics, cables or sensors.

Using the FSD shocks guarantees firmness in one’s sporty driving and that goes for driving on uneven road surfaces as well. Smoothness and comfortable rides are the two things that FSD shocks are likely to give. If keen on those two things, it can be made possible with the Koni-patented Frequency Selective Damping technology. This technology is able to actively control the damping level on the basis of the frequency of the vehicle’s body and the movement of the suspension itself. FSD shocks are unlike any other shocks because it has the capacity to automatically adjust almost in an instant so as to suit the road condition and the driving style that is at hand.

It’s possible via KONI’s patented Frequency Selective Damping technology - technology that actively controls the damping level on the basis of the vehicle’s body and suspension movement frequency. FSD shocks are a smart suspension system that adjusts automatically and in a fraction of a second to road conditions and driving style. One can avail of these at Bilstein shocks.

Macho Rancho Shocks

Saturday, August 4th, 2007

Rancho shocks

There are many types of shocks for different car, truck, and bus needs on hand at the Bilstein shocks. From the streets through the mud and to even for the nuisance bumpy roads, there seems to be a Rancho shock to suit the given road condition. Rancho Shocks has been constantly developing its products and along with this, road junkies are continued to be amazed with the latest advancements offered when it comes to having the ultimate driving comfort possible.

Rancho has already established a name when it comes to providing vehicle users with a smooth ride. Aside from this, the shocks they offer also promote easy handling of vehicles. These shocks are tested to be tough in order to carry out a comfortable ride even when the car runs through deep potholes and other kinds of road irregularities. Ordinary shocks tend to be weakened or even bend when exposed to extensive travels. Unlike these shocks, the Rancho Shocks’ various technologies secure it can take up the challenge.

The Rancho shocks feature hardened, double-chromed rod, twin-tube design, and double-welded mountings. It has a finish that can withstand a 240-hour salt spray on top of the signature red boot covering the piston rod. Rancho Shocks 9000X pack high-performance components are built to be tough. It has a larger oil and gas chamber with parts like urethane or silica bushings, thick boots, and chromed-steel rods. With all these features, the Rancho Shocks are prepared for whatever type of road condition one may travel on.

Stronger KYB Shocks with no Seam

Friday, August 3rd, 2007

KYB shocks

When it comes to state-of-the-art gas shocks and struts, KYB is a name that has long been recognized around the world. KYB shocks and struts are known for their unique design that undergone innovative engineering. These shocks can be availed at Bilstein shocks and are proven to be reliable, providing users with superior ride quality. This is also the reason why the KYB shocks and struts have become the standard equipment for vehicle manufacturers such as Ford, Mitsubishi, Lexus, and Infiniti.

KYB gas shocks and struts feature auto-adapt valving for a smooth, controlled ride, seamless cylinders and eye rings for durability, and multi-lip seals for long life reliability. The product’s multi-stage valve compression is the main reason behind its ability to adjust to road conditions almost automatically. When the vehicle runs under temperate road conditions, the valving allows the shock to travel freely for maximum ride comfort. When the vehicle runs under rough conditions, however, the shocks compressed at a faster rate. The valving is able to respond instantly, which gives the shock the ability to response firming and maintain tire contact and superb vehicle control.

Made from sintered metal, it is certified to last longer than other metals. This also extends the KYB shock life and adds on its incomparable durability. It has become a norm with shock cylinders and eye rings that they are formed by wrapping flat metal into cylindrical shapes. The downside of this is that the welded seam, which holds the cylinder is a real weak point. Repeated wear can split seams and this will eventually result in complete shock failure. Unlike most shocks, KYB shock cylinders and eye rings are extruded cylinders with no seams. And no seams mean no weak points and no seam failures.

Tips on Checking One’s GMC shocks

Thursday, August 2nd, 2007

checking the GMC shocks

They say that when it comes to cars, it is best to trust a mechanic. For the most part, this rings to be true. On the downside, however, having one’s car checked by a mechanic can involve a lot of money. When there seems to be no apparent problem and one needs to save on his budget, car owners can opt to become their own car’s mechanic. And why pay a dealership top dollar when one can easily replace a GMC shocks oneself?

When it comes to testing GMC shocks, the first thing one has to do is to look for signs of wear in the shocks by asking three questions. Does the car roll or sway when the driver makes a turn? Does the front end dive when the driver steps on the brakes? And lastly, does the rear end squat when the car accelerates? After having the answers to these questions and the car proved to be bouncing up and down its bumper, seriously consider having the GMC shocks replaced. One can browse on the Bilstein shocks for more suspension products.

Before anything else, take time to heed practical safety measures first. Position a block of wood or cement in front of and behind the wheels while working on the GMC shocks. When busy working on the front shocks, brace the back wheels with a block, and vice versa. Be sure to check the tools one will use. Commonly used tools include a deep and shallow 1/2 or 3/8 socket set, box and open-end wrench set, lug wrench, hammer, pliers, and torque wrench, hydraulic jack, two safety support stands and four wood or concrete blocks. And before setting out with replacing the worn out shocks, use safety glasses to protect one’s eyes.

A Little Suspension History

Wednesday, August 1st, 2007

 

Like everything else, suspensions have a history. The problem with stories from long ago is that one cannot verify its truthfulness. Although this is the case, there will be no smoke if there’s no fire and stories always sprung from somewhere. The history of suspensions may very well sound like a tall tale but here it goes. It was believed that sometime in the sixteenth century, wagon and carriage users have had the problem of constantly enduring every bump in the road. They tried coming up with a means to lessen, if not totally eliminate, having to feel the bumps in the road. As a probable solution, they sling the carriage body from leather straps attached to four posts of a chassis that resembled an upturned table. With this, the carriage body was suspended from the chassis. This system eventually came to be coined as a “suspension.”

Their improvised slung-body suspension was not a true springing system. Although this is the case, it made possible for the body and wheels of the carriage to move independently. After this improvisation, many things start to happen when it comes to suspension. Semi-elliptical spring designs, also known as cart springs, quickly replaced the leather-strap suspension. It became popular on wagons, buggies and carriages. The semi-elliptical springs back then were often used on both the front and rear axles. The downside of this is that it tended to allow forward and backward motion in the vehicle. Aside from this, it also had a high center of gravity. That was back in the sixteenth century. When modernity came and along with it, powered vehicles started hitting the road and more efficient springing systems from Bilstein shocks began to be developed. These developments and products like Daewoo Shocks, Cadillac Struts, and Saab Shock Absorber among others have helped a lot in providing modern vehicles with a smooth ride.