THE CONDITION OF SHOCK ABSORBERS OF CARS WHICH MUST HAVE A MANDATORY PERIODICAL VEHICLE INSPECTION

DE CONDITIE VAN SCHOKDEMPERS BIJ APK-VERPLICHTE PERSONENAUTO'S

Shock absorbers are an important part of the vehicle suspension. Their main function is to soften the movements between the body of the car and the wheel in such a way that the contact between the tyre and the road surface is as good as possible. A worn or a defective shock absorber causes a decreasing contact. Thereby smaller longitudinal and transverse forces can be transmitted: this causes a longer braking distance, a worse behaviour at bends and in steering behaviour and also a decrease in stability especially on undulating surfaces. In the general peiodical vehicle inspection not much attention is paid to the shock absorbers. Only the eventual leaking of oil and their anchorage is controlled. Results from a study in the Federal Republic of Germany show that almost one in four shock absorbers did not function well. Another study showed that 9.3% of 34000 inspected vehicles had at least one poorly functioning shock absorber. It is expected that these figures are also valid for the situation in the Netherlands. A survey was carried out of 481 vehicles. Of these vehicles, 23% had one or more shock absorbers which did not function well. Recommendations for a better inspection are mentioned. (TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Institute for Road Safety Research, SWOV

  Bezuidenhoutseweg 62
  The Hague,   Netherlands  2594 AW
• Authors:
  • Tromp, JPM
• Publication Date: 1990

Language

• Dutch

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 24 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Braking; Inspection; Motor vehicles; Shock absorbers; Vehicle performance
• Geographic Terms: Netherlands
• Subject Areas: Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00612153
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Report/Paper Numbers: R-90-5
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 31 1991 12:00AM