How to choose shock absorbers: ranking of the TOP 20 manufacturers for 2021

Shock absorbers, their structure and purpose

The main purpose of shock absorbers is to ensure the smoothest possible ride, maintain contact between the wheels and the road surface, and dampen vibration of the wheels and the car body. Shock absorbers directly affect the car's handling, so you should not neglect the need to replace them.

Let's first analyze the design of shock absorbers, which are made of single and double pipes. Such shock absorbers consist of a cylinder filled with oil through which the piston moves. The piston is connected to a rod and is attached at the top to the car body. The piston has small valve openings for the passage of liquid. They are often spring-loaded, which allows for the necessary fluid resistance, which directly affects the smooth running of the car. High-quality shock absorbers must be durable and reliable, maintaining their performance characteristics for as long as possible.

The best manufacturers of gas shock absorbers

Fans of high-speed driving have to decide more often than other drivers which shock absorbers are best to install on their car. Under such driving conditions, it is wiser to choose a gas damper system. The rigidity of the structure improves vehicle handling. Its advantages are that its shock-absorbing qualities do not depend on weather conditions, and its service life is longer. But during a quiet ride, such a suspension does not add comfort.

Hola G'Ride - excellent handling when driving fast, reasonable price

Shock absorber rating: the best struts and their characteristics
Hola is another little-known manufacturer of shock absorbers from Europe (the Netherlands). Drivers like its products due to their improved consumer qualities, reliability and low price. Structurally, the pendants consist of two seamless pipes, which increases their service life. Buyers rate the quality of G'Ride damper systems for dynamic driving at 9.7 stars, and experts give it 9.0 stars. Drivers note one significant advantage of the brand - when purchasing dampers, the buyer receives full service.

Pros of Hola G'Ride:

• wear-resistant seals;
• resource up to 100,000 km (with extreme driving it decreases to 75,000-85,000 km);
• high-quality assembly, no play;
• compression and rebound forces;
• quality lubricants.

Among the rated manufacturers of gas damper systems, there are also more famous brands. Therefore, deciding which shock absorber struts are best is difficult. But a test drive of Hola G'Ride showed that they are actually not inferior in performance and quality to Delphi McPherson, Tokico or Fenox suspensions. They cost less - from 1,550 to 2,100 rubles.

Minuses:

• the products of the series are not presented for all car brands;
• For extreme driving, the stiffness is low.

The test drive showed that the damper holds the road well when cornering and provides excellent handling.

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The principle of operation of automobile shock absorbers

The operating principle of oil shock absorbers is based on the conversion of liquid friction into thermal energy. When moving in an oil environment, the rod pumps oil through internal channels, which in turn creates the necessary resistance for the movement of the shock absorber rod. This dampens body vibrations when driving on rough roads. Due to the design features, the front part of the car bears an increased load, so the front shock absorbers are reinforced, and accordingly they are more expensive than the rear struts.

Which shock absorbers do car owners choose - KYB or Sachs?

In July 2021, according to PartReview, these manufacturers topped the same number of auto ratings:

KYB is chosen by owners of such cars as: BMW 3er, Citroen C4, Daewoo Matiz, Great Wall Hover, Mazda MPV, Nissan X-Trail, Peugeot 307, Toyota Corolla, VAZ (Lada) 2113/2114/2115, Audi 80, Audi A6, Chevrolet Captiva, Chevrolet Lanos, Chevrolet Niva, Citroen C5, and others.

Sachs is chosen by owners of such cars as: Chevrolet Aveo, Ford Focus, Mercedes E-Class, Peugeot 605, Seat Leon, Skoda Octavia, Volvo S70, Audi A4, Chevrolet Lacetti, Ford Granada, Ford Sierra, Hyundai Veloster, Kia Magentis, Opel Vectra , Opel Zafira, and others.

Leading shock absorber manufacturers

Most car owners choose shock absorbers based on the recommendations of the car manufacturer, as well as on the basis of various ratings and reviews of other car enthusiasts. It is traditionally believed that better shock absorbers are produced in Western Europe, America and Japan. Manufacturers of shock absorbers from these countries use ultra-modern technologies, which not only significantly extends the service life of such spare parts, but also ensures their excellent performance characteristics, which are maintained throughout the life of the shock absorbers.

World

It is generally accepted that the best shock absorbers are produced exclusively in Germany and Europe. These can be either highly specialized manufacturers who supply their products to the assembly line of certain brands, or brands that offer the widest possible range. For example, the Dutch company Koni offers two and a half thousand different models of shock absorbers, which differ in their operating principle, performance characteristics and other parameters.

Domestic

Until the recent past, the products of Russian manufacturers were not in high demand, which was explained by their not very good performance characteristics. However, in recent years, specialists who repair cars, when asked which brand of shock absorbers are better, increasingly recommend products from Russian brands. These can be shock absorbers from the company SS20 or SAAZ; high-quality struts are also manufactured by AvtoVAZ, and such shock absorbers are used not only with Lada cars, but can also be installed on cars from foreign manufacturers.

Rating categories

To take an objective look at the current situation, as well as to choose the best shock absorbers, all brands have been divided into several categories.

In fact, the best manufacturers from all major corners of the world were identified. The result was 4 categories:

• European brands;
• Asian (Japan, South Korea and China);
• USA;
• Russian manufacturers.

Each category has its own top of the best shock absorber manufacturers. All companies have their own advantages, key features, and reasons for purchasing their products. The final choice is yours.

Materials used for production

Since shock absorbers are subject to increased loads during operation, they must be made from particularly durable materials. At the same time, care must be taken to reduce the weight of the suspension elements, as this directly affects the car’s handling characteristics. Therefore, if previously especially strong steel was used, today many manufacturers are already beginning to use composite materials, including carbon fiber, which is both strong and lightweight. The only drawback of such composite shock absorbers is their high cost, which is often simply beyond the means of ordinary car owners.

Which shock absorbers are more popular - KYB or Sachs?

In July 2021, on PartReview, KYB shock absorbers were generally more popular than Sachs.

In terms of votes, KYB shock absorbers outperformed Sachs:

• For KYB, the ratio of positive votes (1150) to negative votes (382) was 768 votes.
• At Sachs, the ratio of positive votes (446) to negative votes (144) was 302 votes.

In terms of the number of reviews, KYB shock absorbers surpassed Sachs:

• There are 475 reviews written on KYB shock absorbers: 328 positive, 72 neutral, 75 negative.
• There are 184 reviews written on Sachs shock absorbers: 132 positive, 20 neutral, 32 negative.

Signs and symptoms of worn shock absorbers

It is extremely important to correctly determine the condition of the shock absorbers and replace them in a timely manner. This not only ensures safe driving, but also prevents premature wear of other suspension elements.

The main signs of shock absorber wear are the following:

1) increased sensitivity of the car to potholes and pits;

2) sagging of the car when braking or accelerating;

3) deterioration of car controllability in turns;

4) prolonged rocking of the body;

5) the appearance of noticeable vibration;

6) significant tire wear.

If you notice similar symptoms in your car, then you need to either conduct an in-depth diagnosis of the condition of the shock absorbers yourself, or take the car to a service center, where professionals using special equipment will be able to determine their condition, recommend replacement, and also recommend good inexpensive shock absorbers for your car.

Do-it-yourself shock absorber checks

Independently checking the condition of the shock absorbers is not difficult; you will need to conduct a visual inspection of them and make sure there are no oil leaks. When checking the damping properties, it is necessary to press on one side of the car, then release it sharply and observe the swaying of the body. If the car seems to float and sway for a long time, this indicates wear on the shock absorber, which requires replacement.

Monroe

There is only one approach - aftermarket. The shock absorber ran out, I went and bought it cheap and cheerful. Reliability on average is as advertised - 20,000 km. Regarding their “Newest development” (see also BOGE, who were really the first to introduce a groove in the shock absorber) sensa-truck. If you look carefully at the place where the groove is, you involuntarily think: was it done correctly?

I agree, on cobblestones, the suspension travel is small, the speed of movement of the shock absorber rod is high, for better flow we will make a groove there. Good, comfortable, soft. Let's move on. We make a turn and the car rolls like an American from the 80s. What is this? And this oil, flowing freely through the groove, did not provide the required roll damping.

(BTW and KONI and Bilstein are supported to obtain the maximum increase in shock absorber resistance force with a small increase in speed at rod movement speeds up to 0.33 m/s, which provides the car with better directional stability and more predictable behavior in turns (the car rolls slower))

The following series are produced by Monroe:

Original - a series close to the characteristics of stock original shock absorbers installed on cars from the assembly line (can be either oil or gas-oil

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Reflex - usually gas-oil shock absorbers, with improved suspension comfort characteristics

Radial-matic - pure hydraulics

Gas-Matic - two-pipe gas hydraulics

Van-Magnum - for SUVs, in my opinion one-pipe Sensa-Trac - two-pipe gas hydraulics (mostly)

I would like to note Monroe’s breakthrough into the market of suppliers of original shock absorbers: since 1996, the company has been supplying shock absorbers for some automakers: VAG, Volvo and even PORSCHE. As well as their gradual steps towards the “Elite Shock Absorbers” market.

When installing all these shock absorbers in the suspension of Soviet cars, the difference is always felt compared to the standard. But with foreign cars it’s different.

CONCLUSIONS

People who understand usually don’t like Profit, Optimal, Meyle shock absorbers (since these are packers, and not specializing specifically in shock absorbers). Monroe is a normal economy option. Boge, Sachs, Kayaba, Tokico - even better, middle class (good price-quality ratio for shock absorbers)

My opinions, by the way, strongly coincide with the opinion of the Germans, who are the main consumers of the above “shock absorber products” (70% of sales of total sales). But they prefer to put all this equipment (as well as wheels and tires) on new cars in order to drive from the heart. That's why almost no one rides Monroe there, but mostly they come across KONI, Bilstein, plus combinations of these shock absorbers with Eibach, H&R springs, just suspension kits

Naturally, the question arises about the advisability of installing certain shock absorbers - but this is all a matter of money.

If the car is a dying foreign car that doesn’t have much time left to crawl around, then it’s clearly not advisable to install KONI or Bilstein on it, although enthusiasts do come across it. If the car has just been purchased and a person prefers not to bother with shock absorbers in the future and enjoy the ride, then you clearly need to pay attention to positions 1 and 2 of the hit parade.

I also did not mention such companies as DeCarbon (by the way, McPherson was the first to come up with the “changeover”) - now it was completely bought by AC Delco, the quality has become disgusting, and so have the characteristics.

GABRIEL (American cheap - runs out in a week, doesn't hold up on the road).

Crosno (I haven’t gone to Polish, I don’t know, but I doubt it’s great)

The main reasons for shock absorber failure

1. Incorrect installation. All around. They forget to tighten the nut, put the removable cups upside down, forget the boots, grab the stem with pliers, etc.2. Broken into smoke or missing anthers/chips - the rod rusts/lifts and, as a result, the oil seal runs out3. Fatigue of the oil seal (although I heard from one mechanic - his Bilstein, brought back in stagnant times, survived 3 cars (!!!!) and still serves. 4. Breakdown (when the levers are in the assembly) 5. Wear of the valve system (does not leak, There is resistance on the hands, but the car rocks)

Criterias of choice

When choosing shock absorbers, car owners can either give preference to original spare parts, or purchase such shock absorbers from third-party manufacturers. In the latter case, you should take into account the rating of shock absorber manufacturers, which will allow you to select high-quality spare parts that are completely suitable for a particular car.

You can also explore thematic forums on the Internet, where car owners share their impressions of using shock absorbers of certain brands. To decide which front shock absorbers are better, you will need to study the offers of all manufacturers of such spare parts, giving preference only to those shock absorbers that receive only good reviews from car owners.

No. 5 – PARTS-MALL

Popular manufacturer from South Korea. When creating models, he focuses on reliability - even shock absorbers supplied to the secondary market are manufactured using factory technology. The principle of their operation is focused on safety. The fact that the shock absorbers cope with their task perfectly is confirmed by the reviews of the owners - according to them, the control really becomes smoother and more comfortable.

The use of PARTS-MALL shock absorbers also provides excellent road grip and reduced braking distances. Parts from the Korean brand are widely used in the products of such conveyors as KIA, Hyundai and Daewoo, which suggests high quality.

shock absorber PARTS-MALL

Types of shock absorbers by purpose

According to their type, it is customary to distinguish between single and double-pipe shock absorbers, gas, hydraulic and gas-oil. On sports cars and SUVs, adjustable struts have become widespread, in which the rigidity can vary, from the most smooth to extremely rigid. The choice of shock absorber type is made depending on the specific brand of car. If you are thinking about which shock absorber to choose, gas or oil, then you must first analyze your driving style, as well as find out the car manufacturer’s recommendations.

Front shock absorbers and struts

Since the front shock absorbers bear increased loads, they are made as strong as possible, strengthening the rod, which has numerous channels for oil movement. Only in this case can the necessary reliability and durability of the entire suspension be ensured, and the car owner will not have to change shock absorbers literally every 20-30 thousand kilometers.

Rear shock absorbers and struts

Since the load on the rear shock absorbers and struts during operation is not so large, this allows them to be carried out in a lightweight version, and accordingly the car owner’s expenses for the purchase of such spare parts are reduced. At the same time, you should choose shock absorbers solely taking into account the make of the car, and this is best done in specialized auto parts stores, where there are catalogs for determining the VIN number of spare parts.

China, Japan and South Korea

It must be said right away that if the best manufacturers of high-quality shock absorbers intended for passenger cars are selected, companies from Asia should rightly be included in the top. This is Japan and China mainly.

Therefore, the following is a rating among the leading manufacturers of automobile shock absorbers from Japan and China. Recognized leaders and companies that have won the trust of consumers in 2021 were:

• Kayaba. Quite a young, but very promising and rapidly developing company from Japan. One of the best world-class manufacturers. It is in stable demand in Europe, the USA and Asia. It offers a wide range to suit every taste and budget, and Kayaba has gained particular popularity as a manufacturer of sports shock absorbers.

• Tokiko. Another Japanese company that has chosen a slightly different development path. The range is based on shock absorbers, the main task of which is to ensure a high level of comfort and increased controllability of vehicles. The build quality is excellent. These shock absorbers are installed from the factory on premium Lexus cars, as well as on the new generation Toyota RAV4. They performed well in Russian operating conditions.

• Parts Mall. A South Korean brand that covers the main share of the local market, that is, most cars from South Korea are equipped with shock absorbers from this particular company. At the same time, there are no questions about the level of performance of shock absorbers intended for the secondary market. The range allows you to choose a set based on your driving style and operating conditions. They have an equally good effect on the car when driving on smooth asphalt and on rural dirt roads. They have a solid service life. Shock absorbers are offered in several price categories.

• Sensen. And this is already a Chinese company, and it is not at all behind its Asian competitors. The racks are given a solid warranty for approximately 100 thousand kilometers. The assembly process uses Japanese components, including seals. This has a positive effect on quality and service life. The range includes shock absorbers designed for city use, SUVs, etc. There are single-pipe and double-pipe systems. Despite exemplary performance parameters, prices remain at a pleasant and affordable level.

• Lynxauto. A company from Japan that assembles and produces various automotive components. These include gas and oil shock absorbers. They supply ready-made kits to the assembly lines of a number of automotive brands. The quality is consistently high. The parts are adapted for use in different conditions and under different loads. The company has all the necessary certificates and approvals. Fully complies with Russian regulations.

• AMD. A company that produces components at factories in several countries. These are China, Japan and South Korea. Therefore, when purchasing, look at which country of origin is indicated on the product packaging. The parts are distinguished by a significant margin of safety and can withstand severe operating loads. Their shock absorbers perform well even in severe frost conditions. So they are definitely suitable for use in Russia. These shock absorbers are equipped with cars from General Motors, Kia, Hyundai and SsangYong. But in Russia there are often cheap fakes. So be careful.

• Miles. European-Asian company. The fact is that the headquarters is located in Belgium. But production is established in Asia. Initially, Miles was not among the best. But over time, the build quality has improved significantly. Now these are above average shock absorbers. At the same time, parts are offered at an attractive price. A great way to save money, but get spare parts of a decent level with a decent service life.

• Patron. Inexpensive shock absorbers, which largely determined their popularity in Russia. The build quality is average, and the working life is impressive. The range includes both gas and oil car shock absorbers. They perform well in Russian operating conditions.

If no one doubted the quality of Japanese shock absorbers before, then the attitude towards products from China has changed significantly over the past few years, and for the better. This is easy to explain: quality has increased, but prices remain at an affordable level.

Types of shock absorbers by design

Depending on their design, shock absorbers can be oil or gas, single or double pipe. In recent years, there has also been a demand for gas-oil shock absorbers, which have good performance characteristics, are durable and reliable. In this case, the choice of shock absorbers, depending on their design, will depend on the specific vehicle.

Single-pipe gas

Monotube shock absorbers are gas-filled; they have only one cylinder, in the lower part of which there is a chamber with gas under pressure of about 3 megapascals. The advantages of such shock absorbers include their good cooling, stability and excellent damping. These best shock absorbers will serve you for many years. If we talk about the disadvantages, we should note their mediocre resistance to various mechanical influences, as well as the significant length of the shock absorber.

Double-pipe oil

Twin-tube oil shock absorbers have two cavity tubes that are filled with a special oil. The rod moves with the piston through the internal cavity, which communicates with the outer pipe, also filled with oil. Such shock absorbers are compact in size, they are resistant to mechanical damage, and due to the low fluid pressure, their service life is significantly extended.

Two-pipe gas

Twin-pipe gas shock absorbers are also compact in size and resistant to mechanical damage. A special feature of this type of shock absorbers is the fact that the wheels are constantly pressed to the road, which ensures excellent vehicle handling. It is not surprising that shock absorbers of this type are now popular with owners of sports cars, where good handling at high speeds is important.

Gas-oil

Gas-oil shock absorbers combine the advantages of gas models; they are compact, resistant to mechanical damage, and at the same time have a much more affordable price. The latter made them quite popular among car owners, who appreciated their excellent performance characteristics and affordable price level. Today you can find such gas-oil shock absorbers for various cars, both for budget cars and for sports models. There is no universal recommendation on which shock absorber struts are best for a car; it is necessary, among other things, to take into account the condition of the roads and the driver’s driving style.

How to choose a shock absorber for a car

To make a rating of the most successful damper devices, the model range of all the leading companies in the world was considered. Together with representatives of the Info-Parts expert group, the requests and wishes of domestic car owners were analyzed. The recommendations of professional service station mechanics were taken into account.

We present the best 14 models produced by companies around the world. What was taken into account during the selection process in the first place?

• Type. Oil or gas;
• Compliance with the requirements of technical regulation and metrology agencies;
• Standards and their expert assessments;
• Analysis of operating features;
• Automaker recommendations;
• Dampers for different types of driving;
• Financial capabilities of the consumer.

Frequency of replacement of shock absorbers

In each specific case, the service life of shock absorbers will vary, for example, when used on rough roads, they can last 40-50 thousand kilometers, while in another case, high-quality models of shock absorbers from leading manufacturers will last 80,000 kilometers or more. The car owner needs to regularly diagnose the condition of the shock absorbers and, if wear is detected, then it is necessary to carry out all repair work, completely restoring the car. To choose the right shock absorbers for your car, you need to study the documentation for your car and, based on the manufacturer’s recommendations, select certain models.

Step-by-step replacement instructions

Many car owners, in order to save money, replace shock absorbers on their own, which allows them to save some money on service calls. To do this, you need to hang the front or rear wheel, and then unscrew the two bolts that secure the shock absorber strut to the steering knuckle. Carefully remove the shock absorber strut from the arch, stretch the spring, freeing the support cup, then unscrew the shock absorber nut, replace it and reassemble everything in the reverse order. If it is problematic for you to carry out such repair work yourself, we recommend that you contact specialized service stations, they will recommend which shock absorbers to choose and replace them.

Which brand of shock absorbers is better?

The Russian market of shock absorbers for foreign cars with a share of the main players of 10 percent or more, according to the magazine “Autoinstruction”, is represented by several well-known companies (diagram in the figure above):

• KYB (Kayaba) – 35%;
• Boge (God) – 16%;
• Fenox (Fenox) – 15%;
• Monroe (Monroe) – 14%;
• Bilstein (Bilstein) – 11%;
• Other companies – 9%.

It is interesting that when a survey of service centers was conducted by the publication “Kuzov” regarding the recommendations of professionals on choosing a manufacturer of high-quality shock absorbers, the picture turned out to be somewhat different.

Rating of shock absorbers recommended by mechanics of independent service stations in Moscow

With the undisputed leadership of such firms as KYB, Bilstein and Boge, professionals only recommend Monroe in 5% of cases, although the market share of this company is almost three times higher. And they practically do not recommend the Belarusian brand Fenox, the share of whose products is very significant - 15%.

To figure out which shock absorbers are best to install, it is necessary to briefly look at the characteristics of the leading players in the Russian market.

• KYB (Kayaba) - the products of the Japanese concern are popular not only in Russia, but also in Europe due to their high quality and reliability at a relatively low price level. Shock absorbers from this company can be found on the assembly lines of famous European automakers. The gas-oil shock absorber of the Ultra SR series is especially popular among Russian fans of sports driving;
• Bilstein is a world-famous German company that has been producing shock absorbers for over 50 years. It was here that the design of a monotube gas-filled shock absorber was developed. Bilstein products are installed on European premium brands: BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, Ferrari, Maseratti, Jaguar;
• Boge (Boge) - the brand belongs to the concern ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Germany) - one of the oldest manufacturers of shock absorbers in the world. Recently he moved to another well-known brand - SACHS and now the same type of products is produced under two brands. The concern's products cover more than 90% of the range of global automakers. On the Russian market, a 1-year warranty is provided regardless of mileage;
• Monroe is an American company whose products are probably best known in Europe and are intended for 99% of the brands and models of cars produced in the world. Monroe's latest developments - gas shock absorbers of the Sensatrac series provide high controllability and instant response to changing driving conditions;
• Koni (Koni) - shock absorbers - are the only type of product of the Dutch company for almost 70 years. The main distinctive feature of Koni shock absorbers is the ability to adjust the stiffness parameters, adapting the car both to external conditions and to the individual characteristics of the driver and the manner of driving the car.

But are all major shock absorber manufacturers widely represented on the Russian market? The figure below shows the top six players in this market in the United States according to a Ranker survey.

The first three consist of participants in the Russian rating. But the products of the American Fox Racing and the Swedish Ohlins are specific - they are intended for motorcycles, ATVs and SUVs. The American Rancho Suspension is quite well known in Russia and specializes in supplying products for pickup trucks and large SUVs that are popular in the USA. A few years ago, Rancho was acquired by the Tenneco concern, which in turn owns the Monroe trademark.

Thus, the top three manufacturers of shock absorbers with a high reputation for Russia are KYB , Monroe and Bilstein .

As for the objective characteristics provided by shock absorbers and affecting the safety, controllability and comfort of the car, according to the manufacturers themselves, they look like this.

Braking distance at a speed of 40 km/h:

• Bilstein - 8.0 meters;
• Monroe - 8.5 meters;
• KYB – 9.0 meters.

The differences are quite significant if you remember that in a critical situation, centimeters of braking distance are important.

Rear axle shift 90° (sharp turn mode):

• Bilstein – 59 km/h;
• Monroe – 52 km/h;
• KYB – 48 km/h.

Tests for smoothness (characteristics closely related to the subjective feeling of comfort) and directional stability are carried out in relation to each specific car model, therefore it is possible to compare shock absorbers from different manufacturers only for specific cars.

It is interesting that such tests sometimes give paradoxical results: venerable firms can lose to outsiders, both in individual indicators and in aggregate test results.

Rating of shock absorber manufacturers

The rating of shock absorbers for passenger cars will significantly simplify the choice; the car owner will be able to find the optimal model for himself, which not only fully fits his car, but is also reliable and durable. You just need to remember that you should definitely purchase the best Russian shock absorbers or products from foreign brands in specialized stores, which eliminates the purchase of counterfeit spare parts. Based on the table and rating of shock absorber manufacturers, you can choose the best model for your car.

KYB

The Japanese manufacturer KYB offers shock absorbers of various types, including oil and gas, which are designed for installation on various Japanese, European and Russian cars. Car owners speak positively about such shock absorbers, noting their quality, reliability and durability. The products of this brand are invariably included in the top shock absorbers, which confirms their excellent quality.

Sachs

Sachs is a German manufacturer of shock absorbers, whose line includes several dozen shock absorber models that combine durability, car comfort, quality and high technology. The manufacturer Sash is the official supplier of shock absorbers to the assembly lines of Mercedes, Audi, Peugeot and BMW, which indicates the excellent quality of such spare parts. If you are thinking about which shock absorbers are softer, we can recommend paying attention to the products of this manufacturer.

Monroe

Monroe are Belgian shock absorbers popular on the Russian market, which invariably receive enthusiastic positive reviews from car owners. These are high-tech, reliable and durable shock absorbers that will last for many years without causing much trouble to car owners. Monroe shock absorbers are installed on BMW, Renault, VAZ and Toyota cars.

Hola

Hola is a Dutch manufacturer of shock absorbers that consistently appear in the rankings of the best shock absorbers for various cars. Hol's offer includes gas and oil shock absorbers, models for VAZ, GAZ, as well as Chevrolet, Nissan, Kia, Mitsubishi and others.

Boge

German Boge shock absorbers are included in the top 3 ratings of the best shock absorbers; they provide the necessary comfort, improve vehicle control, and have the longest possible service life, which can significantly reduce the car owner’s costs of operating the car. In Boje's offer you can find shock absorbers designed for BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen and other major automotive brands.

Bilstein

The German company Bilstein has specialized in the production of shock absorbers since 1960. For such a long period of work in this area of ​​the market, this manufacturer has gained a lot of experience, it uses state-of-the-art technologies, and in Blistein’s offer you can find dozens of different models of shock absorbers, which are invariably popular with car owners.

Tokiko

Japanese Tokico shock absorbers are supplied to various automakers; they are recommended for use on Subaru, Honda and other cars. Tokiko shock absorbers are reliable and durable; they provide driving comfort while maintaining their performance characteristics for many years.

FENOX

FENOX is a Belarusian manufacturer of shock absorbers that offers its products in the economy class segment. These are inexpensive spare parts that are installed on Hyundai, Renault, Ford, Opel and AvtoVAZ cars. For many car owners, such Phoenix shock absorbers have become the best in terms of quality and cost.

SAAZ

If you are thinking about which company to choose shock absorbers, we can recommend paying attention to the offer of the Russian company SAAZ. Such shock absorbers are offered to customers at affordable prices, these are high-quality products, the shock absorbers will last for many years, they are installed on Volkswagen, Mazda, Suzuki and Honda cars.

SenSen

The list of the best Chinese shock absorbers often includes products from SenSen, which have proven themselves to be the best. These are inexpensive spare parts that are used on Volkswagen, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Lexus and BMW cars. SenSen shock absorbers are manufactured using the latest advances in the production of automotive parts, which guarantees their excellent quality.

KONI

When talking about the best shock absorber manufacturers, it is necessary to mention the products of the Dutch company KONI. According to reviews from car owners, such Koni shock absorbers are invariably at the top of numerous ratings, noting their reliability, durability, good damping properties and long-term preservation of all their main characteristics.

SS20

High-quality and inexpensive shock absorbers from a Russian manufacturer, which are offered on the market under the SS20 brand. In the offer of this manufacturer you can find various models of shock absorbers, including those intended for use on Nissan, Peugeot, Kia and VAZ cars. The increased mileage for CC20 shock absorbers invariably makes them popular and in demand on the market.

ZEKKERT

The list of the world's best shock absorbers invariably includes products from the German company ZEKKERT. Such shock absorbers are distinguished by their quality of workmanship; they are made of various materials; you can find gas and oil models that are intended for use on Volkswagen, Nissan, Mitsubishi, SKODA and others. The manufacturer Zeckert establishes a long-term quality guarantee on its shock absorbers, and their service life significantly exceeds 50,000 kilometers.

PLAZA

Thrifty car owners can be advised to pay attention to the products of the domestic manufacturer Plaza. Experts who recommend how to choose shock absorber struts invariably recommend PLAZA products, which have an affordable price level, are offered with a long warranty, and in terms of their performance characteristics such spare parts do not differ from the best foreign models.

MILES

Shock absorbers from the Belgian company Mailis are invariably in demand on the market. These are high-quality and inexpensive spare parts that are installed on Peugeot, Skoda, Ford, Nissan and others. MILES is often included in the rating of shock absorber struts; these are high-quality products that are versatile and retain all their performance characteristics for a long time.

LYNXauto

The top shock absorber manufacturers invariably include products from the Japanese company LYNXauto. Thanks to the use of unique developments, such shock absorbers not only have maximum durability, they provide excellent contact with the road, improving handling and providing the necessary safety while driving. In the Linksauto company's offer you can find various models of shock absorbers that are intended for Japanese, American and European cars.

Finwhale

The Swiss manufacturer Finwhale is invariably included in the rating of shock absorbers for domestic cars. Finvale's offer includes inexpensive, high-quality shock absorbers, including gas and oil models, single and double-tube shock absorbers. They have an extended service life, are durable, and allow the car owner to somewhat reduce the cost of operating the car.

Rancho

Shock absorbers from the American manufacturer Rancho are of high quality, providing a soft suspension, eliminating lateral rolling of the car even on serious potholes. If you are thinking about which rear shock absorbers are best for your car, we recommend that you pay attention to the products of the Rancho company. The cost of such shock absorbers is not too high, and they are guaranteed to last 50,000 kilometers or more.

ASOMI

The Russian manufacturer of shock absorbers, ASOMI, offers high-quality, inexpensive products that are used not only at AvtoVAZ, but also on various European and Japanese cars. Inexpensive, best shock absorbers from ASOMI have a service life of 50,000 kilometers, they are distinguished by their quality of workmanship and reliability.

Advantages and disadvantages of oil and gas shock absorbers

In order to choose the appropriate type of shock absorber, study the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

Table 2. Advantages and disadvantages of oil and gas shock absorbers

European manufacturers

Europe as a whole is somewhat behind the German shock absorber manufacturer, but it still has something to offer the demanding buyer.

KONI - Netherlands

A Western European Dutch brand that shared first place in the top with the German manufacturer Bilstein. Other advantages include versatility and the ability to adjust stiffness to obtain the required characteristics and to extend wear resistance.

The company's motto can be called: “Do better than the rest!” Trust in the company's quality is not unfounded: Koni has been on the market since the days of horse-drawn transport and initially produced springs for horse-drawn carriages. And currently its shock absorbers are used on big-name foreign cars: rare Porsche and Dodge Viper, Lotus Elise, Lamborghini, as well as Mazerati and Ferrari.

The manufacturer is meticulous about compliance with the declared characteristics, so each model undergoes strict testing. As a result, there is a “lifetime” warranty; depreciation can only “die” with the car.

The lineup:

· KONI Load-a-Juster - a country version, allows you to load the car to the maximum due to the wound spring;

· KONI Sport (kit)—for short springs, included in the kit with springs;

· KONI Sport - available in yellow, designed for high-speed driving, adjustable without the need for removal, copes well with high-speed turns;

· KONI Special - distinguished by their red color, behave perfectly during a quiet ride, softness ensures obedient driving.

It should be noted that the manufacturer does not pursue quantity, paying more attention to quality, and the price fully corresponds to it.

G'Ride Hola - Netherlands

The Dutch representative of the auto parts market announced itself only recently, but has already managed to recommend its products with positive reviews.

The tightness of G'Ride Hola shock absorbers is ensured by high-quality, durable oil seals, excellent lubrication contributes to smooth operation, and temperature changes have virtually no effect on the mechanics. Wear resistance is designed for a mileage of up to 70 thousand kilometers.

Gas versions performed well in “racing” driving, and their unpretentiousness and affordable price persuaded many compatriots to choose Hola shock absorbers. An undoubted and huge advantage is thoughtful marketing, which includes initial installation, consultation and maintenance during the warranty period.

Miles from Belgium

The Russian auto parts market offers a wide range of products from the Belgian brand Miles. Those who have tried the design in practice claim that this is a suitable option for a comfortable ride in quiet mode.

The device provides excellent grip on the road, which contributes to safe movement, and also copes well with its intended purpose - absorbing mechanical vibrations from uneven roads.

Arguments in favor of Miles designs include ensuring well-controlled driving combined with vehicle stability, the presence of an additive that prevents oil foaming and air ventilation, seamless design, chrome-plated parts (protects against corrosion), and filling with high-quality Korean oil.

A number of worthy European brands can be continued with the following list: Zekkert, Pilenga, AL-KO, Krosno.