Shock Absorbers Explained! - Tech Talk with Mic from Ironman 4x4

A big topic in the 4x4 fitment industry. Shock Absorbers. Mic van Zyl, Director of Ironman 4x4 Africa gives us the details into Shock Absorbers.
The function of the shock absorber is to, as far as possible, keep the tyres in contact with the road surface thus ensuring safe and controlled vehicle handling. It does this by controlling the action of the spring and suspension movement. There are several types of shock absorbers but for the purposes of this video, we will only be looking at telescopic, hydraulic shock absorbers as used on our 4x4’s. Some of these are plain hydraulic shocks, many have gas charging (“gas shocks”) and a few have foam cell technology. They can also be either Mono-tube or Twin-tube in design.
The word “shock absorber” is a bit of a misnomer. It is actually a damper or dampener. The shock dampens the spring and suspension movement by restricting the flow of hydraulic fluid inside the shock when the shock is compressed or extended through the suspension movement. The hydraulic fluid flows through restrictive orifices and valves within the working piston and the foot valve. It is this restriction that generates the damping resistance. This varying resistance gives the shock its dampening ability. The shock absorber, therefore, does not absorb road shock but rather the energy transferred into the spring by the road irregularities.
Read more: www.ironman4x4.co.za/the-func...
The majority of shocks available for our 4wds are Twin-Tube shocks. They have an outer tube or canister and an inner working or pressure tube. The piston moves up and down within this inner tube. It is a snug fit and the hydraulic fluid or shock oil is forced to pass through the piston. Excessive oil is stored in the outer chamber between the inner and outer tubes. There is an air space above this oil level in the outer chamber to allow for fluid to move between the inner and the outer tubes. This is necessary due to the fact that the oil cannot be compressed.
In both Standard Oil and Nitrogen Gas-charged shocks, however, the oil and air or gas is in constant contact with each other which accelerates aeration. To counter this, foam cell shocks do not have any air or gas within the body of the shock. Instead, a foam cell tube is inserted around the outside of the inner tube. This foam cell is made from a material similar to wet suit foam rubber and contains enclosed air cells. When excess oil is forced into the outer camber during shock compression, the foam cell is compressed. Foam Cell shocks usually have a larger bore size than gas shocks and a much higher oil capacity. They may however not be available for all vehicles due to their size.
In short, Nitro Gas charged shocks are better than plain Oil shocks and are a great all-around performer. In severe conditions, the larger capacity Heavy Duty Foam Cells are worth a closer look
Read more: www.ironman4x4.co.za/shocks-t...
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#Ironman4x4Africa #ShockAbsorbers #4x4 #4x4Suspension

[@brendanbroekhoven5541]

Honestly calling them "spring dampeners" has been one of the simplist/most helpful descriptions I have seen so far. Thanks

[@pretread]

Please remove back ground noise...which is music..thank you

[@overlandant8249]

Very informative for a novice like me. I found the information easy to understand. Thank you

[@marklongson304]

Great explanation of how shocks work. But there is a big lack of real world usage scenarios.

[@CalmOwl-yp4dx]

After I watched your video i will buy fullset ironman suspension soon… thanks for your explanation

[@jamiebeverley9705]

Watching from Australia, great explanation of the Ironman shocks, very good presentation 👍

[@mikemorgan4670]

That was exceptional. Well presented and educational.

[@jurianb1]

Thanks a lot, nice presentation

[@4WheelingSA]

Great video. Helped me to understand Foam Cell vs Nitro.

[@javabean215]

Brilliant explanation! Thanks!

[@karlandtoniavonbroembsen305]

Wow. very informative thank you.

[@ClaytonNeuner]

Loved the explanation! Definitely going to look at Ironman when the time comes for sure.

[@janasec]

Thank you , the video was very informative

[@horukuru]

Thanks a lot for the information :D

[@johanneswehrmann]

Excellent content thank you. 🙌🏻

[@karsonkip697]

"How desperately you want to go to ....gin and tonic..😂😂. Thank you for the great video.

[@PrajwalCanonShutter]

Wow superbly explained, you should become a teaching faculty in an University.

[@MarkDumbleton]

Super informative, thanks for taking the time to share all that info! I’m in the market for a new suspension for my Fortuner. I’ll be visiting for a chat in Alberton soon :)

[@bradleytaylor2253]

Great video, VERY informative. It does however lend to want to ask more questions :-) Towing, Foam Cell Plus, does it make road driving unbearable? Definitely will come and consult before fitting. Thanks again, that was bang on. Shocks for Dummies... Like me :-)

[@onefastcyclist]

Will explained!

[@Fergus_Afrique]

Since I chose KO2 60 on 40 offroad tyres, I would probably just need Nitrogen shocks on my 2016 Heritage Defender? I have the oem shocks and springs that almost give you whiplash entering a speed bump at an angle. I travel to remote areas on bad roads but don’t seek 4x4 trails on purpose. Thanks for the informative video I’m going to have a good look at my suspension 👍

[@Tassie1966]

Great video but what about the foam cell pro Comfort shock what kind of ride does that deliver please

[@vonlogan1]

So can i get the Closed Cell Foam Pro and then get the comfort valves? You have to choose the shock and the valve?

[@msggry9504]

Very informative video a lot of information extremely interesting. I would love to know if you can advise me I’m interested on their Foamcell shocks for my new Mitsubishi Montero/Pajero 2022 model. Pls. I’m living in the Sultanate of Oman and I’m quite lost to find out a proper shock absorbers for my new vehicle with a ground clearance. Kindly advise I highly appreciated..

[@Volta24]

Greeting. To pick up a Rav 4 Hybrid by about 5 cm , what suspension you recommend. I use the car in the city and overlanding. Thanks

[@rakshithks253]

What is the length of ironman suspension?

[@marcusbarnes5929]

Is montube better than twin tube shocks? For fast off road trails.

[@ZJ_Rubicon]

With regards to the shock valving portion. Are you saying that the nitro shocks are the softest, foam cell medium, and FCP are the stiffest. Or are there different valving options within each shock series. Example would be a FCP with a soft or medium valving for a daily driver without a bunch of extra wieght.

[@DeuceBoyBilly]

Always wondered what the differece is between mounting shocks in front of the rear axle or on the back of the rear axle?

[@jopsanjose605]

how do you tweak and fine tune the two valving system? can you make a video?tia! love al your vids mic!

[@Ironman4x4Africa]

Hi Jop. Would love to do a video on this but regret that this info is Ironman 4x4 IP and not for public knowledge.

[@fixpaana]

14:08 "Let's just do some 'meth' for a moment cause 'meth' is always good" 🤣🤣. But on a serious note, absolutely loved the video! Great info! Thanks 🙂

[@roadtotheroofofafrica]

I would like to do a lift on my 2023 next gen ranger , a 20 mil front and back or what would you guys recommend?

[@toyotabrony]

So would this mean, the larger the piston of the twin tube or monotube shocks absorbers, the better the ride control and handle better?

[@johnkinyua1898]

Do Ironman 4x4 sell shocks? N can I get for my Leone?

[@obaku1980]

Hi, I am looking for suspension for my car, 4x4 , it has 20' wheels and I tried 17' wheels since I had a terrible time driving the car on bumpy roads, and it transferred the hit to the car, it is very uncomfortable, but changing the size of the wheels didn't work, so my guess is the suspension, but I don't know if the shock absorber will help to the confort in bumpy roads

[@dumisanibhengu599]

Very informative Sir, thank you... quick one: would you fit these in a sedan or they are exclusively for 4x4s?

[@Ironman4x4Africa]

Only 4WD vehicles.

[@british789]

How can I make my rear shocks smoother

[@philliplehn3600]

Hi I have the foam cell pro on my Jeep Wrangler JL. Just a question. The foam cell pro has bump stops on the piston rod. Do I need to remove the original factory bump stops? Cheers

[@Ironman4x4Africa]

Some FCP shock absorbers do come with a rubber stop on the shaft. But still requires OE bump stops to be mounted and not removed.

[@BigMatt75]

We’re any of your shocks monotube? Also, the dual tube shock you show I refer to as a push/pull shock. Mono tube shocks seem to be a positive pressure shock meaning they’re constantly pushing outward. Would I be correct in thinking that?

[@Ironman4x4Africa]

Don't quite know what you mean by push/pull. Our shock absorbers are all telescopic and compress and extend like a telescope. We do not have any monotube shocks in our product range. They are a very good concepts but better applied to road and track vehicles. This is due to the potential vulnerability of damaging the shock canister off-road. This would render a mono tube shock unusable. With a twin tube shock, you can ding the outer tube without affecting the working of the shock as long as it is not punctured. Any telescopic shock that has gas pressure will self extend when compressed. Monotube shocks are almost always gas pressurised (high pressure). Twin tube gas shocks have low gas pressure. Foam Cell shocks are almost always twin tube and have no gas pressure therefore do not self extend when compressed.

[@BigMatt75]

by push/pull I mean they have resistance in both directions. Like you could collapse the shock by hand and it will stay that way until you physically pull the body and the stem in opposite directions. Just wondering if it being a monotube or a twin tube shock makes a difference whether they constantly push outward with a pretty good amount of force that makes them hard to collapse by hand or not and whether or not.

[@BigMatt75]

After rereading your reply I think you answered my question. Thanks for the information! Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

[@ChookChasersMX]

Hi Mic, I’m wondering the reason why Ironman suspension doesn’t include some form of valving adjustment/knob/bypass on their FCP shocks, it would be great if you’re able to ‘shed some light’ on this?

[@Ironman4x4Africa]

Hi Jayden. I'll keep this as brief as possible. The adjustment knobs found at the base of "adjustable" shock absorbers merely adjust the flow-by of oil through the foot valve when the shock is compressed and extended. It does in some instances alter the feel of your ride but is does very little to the graphing of the shock - how it dampens suspension movement. True adjustability happens when you alter the valve stack on the working piston of the shock. These do exist. Most vehicles with in-cabin electronic shock adjustment use a small stepper motor on top of the shock shaft. The shaft is hollow with a thin rod that is connected to the motor on top and to the adjustable piston valve stack at the bottom. In car suspension adjustment thus activates the motor to adjust the valve stack in the working piston and alter the graphing. This is most common but there are several other ways of doing this. The system that employs these adjustment knobs at the base of the shock also require you to crawl in under your truck and change the setting when required. Once the novelty wears off, it is never adjusted due to inconvenience. These knobs are also vulnerable on the outside of the shock body at the base and can get damaged off-road. The Ironman 4x4 range of shock absorbers are carefully designed and graphed to work well with OE as well as our aftermarket range of springs. Depending on your requirement, spring rate and load, we do offer comfort, normal and professional valving as options on some of our part numbers.

[@boymeetsbush8232]

Very good video. Music is distraction.

[@nestorbitancur1664]

U have shock fo toyota hi ace elite 2023 frt and rear super heavy duty

[@philliplehn3600]

Do some Ironman shock absorbers have internal bump stops?

[@Ironman4x4Africa]

Some of the Ironman4x4(vehicle dependent) will have a bump stop in or on the shock shaft.

[@Abesta83]

What provides the smoother ride at about stock weight?

[@Ironman4x4Africa]

Hi Abraham. The shocks control the springs and therefore suspension movement by absorbing the energy transferred into the spring by road undulations. The better you do this, the smoother your ride will be. If your vehicle is over-sprung, no amount of dampening with make it smooth. Fitting better shocks is always the first option to getting a smoother ride on stock suspension. If the original springs were really badly designed by the vehicle manufacturer (it still happens) then fitting aftermarket springs will improve ride quality as well together with better shocks.

[@troyp5208]

Does the foam break down?

[@Ironman4x4Africa]

Hi Troy. No the Foam does not break down in our Ironman 4x4 Foam Cell shocks. This is unfortunately a myth promulgated by shock companies who do not offer Foam Cell shocks in their product range. The foam cell is a tube of closed cell foam like material that is found around the outer surface of the inner tube on a twin tube foam cell shock absorber. It is like wet suit material but of course, vastly different in application. The foam cell material used in our Ironman 4x4 foam cell shock absorbers can withstand temperatures several times more than the highest temperatures generated by the heat build up in the shock oil. After 17 years at Ironman 4x4 I have yet to see a foam cell break down due to heat. I cannot speak for cheaper brands though.

[@therealdjt532]

Sudden compression of air creates heat.

[@thebigempty_5792]

I wonder why no other shock companies use this "foam cell" technology.

[@jimjellychristoff350]

They do use. Such as tough dog

[@thebigempty_5792]

take a drink every time you hear, "shock absorber" hehe.....filled with oil: Correction - filled with high end GERMAN oil.....apparently everyone else's oil sucks :D Yes, I own a full Foam Cell Pro suspension on my 99 Lexus LX470, so I can spout off a bit.

[@franspapenfus6155]

Hilux rear lid

[@michaelbautista5803]

Did he just say "meth is always good"???

[@highhillhick]

Don't play music with your voice, use it in absence of voice, super annoying while trying to listen

[@BassicVIC]

Man! This. Ideo is unwatchable after 3 minutes with that loud music! Please turn it off!

[@thejackaroo4WDcampingchannel]

I have no idea why you are calling it 'Math', the Americans would be lost at millimetre so why use Math when it is Maths?

[@MIAMIC70]

Bro between the accent and the horrible music (noise) I couldn't get past 30 seconds and I'm actually looking to by an ATS kit!