Shock Absorbers - the choice of Russian roads

Smooth running of the car, landscapes fluttering outside the window and a light breeze in the cabin, pleasant music - what more can please the heart of this motorist? Especially if the speed "stuck" far beyond 100 km per hour, and the four-wheeled coach rushes along a far from the smoothest road and does not jump on potholes, rides - as if floating! To achieve such softness and comfort of driving, and indeed, to extend the life of the car can be using shock absorbers. For today, among such products, the domestic shock absorbers of the Plaza are in great demand. They refer to the type of hydropneumatic products.

The trade mark "Plaza" appeared on the Russian market in 1992 year. It was then that the first products were produced. Now the main company is in St. Petersburg; Plant "Plaza" produces high-tech products for the automotive market in Russia, as well as shock absorbers for foreign cars. Suppliers of components and parts, the trading partners of the plant are such well-known companies in the world as "Sairex" and "Freundenberg".

Engineers-mechanics of the plant developed the latest shock absorbers Plaza, analogues which previously were not in Russia and abroad. They fit even such branded cars as Ford, Nissan, Toyota.

For the most popular car brands in the St. Petersburg company, several variants and types of spare parts and components have been developed. Shock absorbers are adapted for different driving styles and road surfaces of different qualities, including ground and gravel.

At the moment, the range of single-tube shock absorbers is represented by the following models:

• "Plaza Standard";
• "Plaza Extreme";
• "Plaza X-Drive";
• "Plaza Sport";
• "Plaza Profi" - this option is used, mainly, by professional racers.

If the shock absorber is out of order ...

To make a replacement, you must follow certain rules and have an idea of the process itself.

First of all, of course, you need to understand the manual for repair works of the car, and also carefully study the technical documentation from the shock absorber itself. And now the very order of work. Let's say that you have a "flying" shock absorber, although what exactly is not so important, the algorithm of action is in any case standard. So, you need to make a replacement operation yourself. Your actions:

1. The lower part of the car, in particular its wheel niche, must be well cleaned - it is in that place that repairs will be conducted.
2. Pay attention to how and where are the old racks, other details regarding each other. If such repairs are done for the first time or you simply feel insecure, it is better to photograph everything in detail - then it will be more convenient to collect and put the parts in place.
3. From the car the rack is removed - for this purpose it is necessary to examine the top part of a piston rod: there there is a central nut. It should be slightly unscrewed, loosened, however, until completely - do not take off!
4. Only when the rack is already removed, and the springs are compressed by special serviceable ties, the nut is also removed.
5. In one approach, one shock absorber or only one rack can be removed from the machine to avoid damage to the rubber mounts at the suspension or brake pipes.
6. After the shock absorber has been dismantled, it is necessary to remove the dirt collected from the interior space, as well as gaskets and other possible items.
7. When single-tube shock absorbers of the Plaza are installed, their cartridges will not tolerate the presence of any liquids in the tank rack, be it antifreeze, oil or the like. This nuance must be taken into account.
8. All removable parts must be inspected carefully before installation - if there are any damages. It is especially recommended to pay attention to the elastic parts of fasteners and buffers; If the protective covers are damaged, they must be changed.
9. The cartridge in the rack should enter easily, without pressure and resistance. If it is felt, then the reservoir can be deformed. The defect is most often formed in the area of the seams of a spring cup. In this case, it is necessary to first increase the tank opening, so that the assembly does not interfere.
10. When the housing nut is tightened, you need to check the status of the insertion cartridge: how freely it moves from the upper position to the lower one and vice versa. To do this, move the cartridge by the rod on the mount. If the body of the cartridge moves with extraneous noise (knocking), the body nut should be tightened more or under the cartridge to insert a bushing, a washer of the appropriate size.
11. The nut of the fastening rod can not be immediately tightened tightly. First you need to install the top mount on the rack, and put the machine on the wheels.
12. Final twisting and tightening of parts such as rubber mounts, spring bushings of shock absorbers, is produced by a torque wrench. The car by that time needs to be put on wheels and three or four times smoothly shaking up and down.
13. When the replacement of the shock absorber is completed, you need to test the friction in the area of the suspension: the front or rear of the car are raised, and then the body itself is lowered. You need to measure the distance from the floor to any bumper point. Then squeeze the suspension by pressing on the body so it sinks. When the suspension is straightened, and the body rises, again measure the distance. The difference between the measurements should not be more than 15 millimeters. If the norm does not match, the friction in the suspension is increased, and its cause must be eliminated.

Shock Absorbers The Plaza is an excellent replacement for the failed "native" shock absorbers of your car.