The first recorded shock absorber on a vehicle was introduced in 1906, after William Brush rolled his brother Alanson Brush’s car over due to a rut on the road. Alanson set out to make a better car, and introduced the Brush Two-Seat Runabout in 1906. The shock absorber has advanced greatly since 1906, due to improvements in science and technology used to develop shock absorbers. Choosing the right shock absorber for your car takes on many factors, which you must review prior to deciding which shock absorber you want to buy.
Notate your daily driving habits with a pen and paper. Write down the year, make and model of your vehicle, to include engine size and whether the vehicle is two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Write down whether you drive on highways or in congested city traffic conditions. The type of driving you do should greatly influence the type of shock absorbers and struts that you purchase.
Write down whether you drive on roads that are freshly paved, or roads that have many bumps and potholes. Heavier duty shocks provide a more rigid, stiffened ride, which allows the driver to feel many more bumps than a lighter duty shock, which absorbs more of the impact for a smoother ride.
Write down whether you drive fast and brake hard, or drive slower and brake easier. Heavy duty shocks or performance shocks are designed to absorb great amounts of pressure during fast braking and sharp turning. A mid-grade shock absorber would provide you with a comfortable feel in turning and braking, while still providing a smooth feel over uneven pavement.
Write down what amounts of weight you may haul in your vehicle on a regular basis. The more weight you carry in your vehicle, the heavier you want the duty of your shock to be. A heavy-duty shock will absorb the weight added to a vehicle, while not compromising other components of the suspension or steering. If you do not carry substantial weight, then a light duty or mid-grade duty shock would be your best option.
Write down the price you are willing to spend on a shock absorber, and the type of warranty you want the shock absorber to have. When researching prices, you will find an array of car shock absorbers with prices listed, as well as warranties. Choose the shock that is in your price range, but also keep in mind the variable factors listed above, so that you do not end up with a lack of quality in your product.