A lot of new products have been coming out lately in the automotive industry. All of them are aimed at making driving our iron horses more convenient and safer. This is especially true for the chassis of the car. Safety and comfort when driving depends on it. The most destructive thing is to drive through heavily protruding railway tracks and potholes on the roads. In addition, when the springs, shock absorbers and support bearings are heavily worn. And according to the traffic police, about 35% of accidents occur due to the fault of road services. How to save on the suspension and keep it intact for a long time, let's figure it out.
The Germans have long been ahead in the automobile market. It was they who came up with special cushions - autobuffers to soften the impact of the chassis on tram tracks, holes and curbs. They also increased the ground clearance of their vehicles, which is very convenient when parking. Let's look at the pros and cons of autobuffers, what they are and what they consist of.
Autobuffers - friend or foe
Autobuffers are special German spring cushions designed by chassis developers. The secret lies in the material from which the buffers are made. This is thick wall urethane in all its glory. Sufficiently wear-resistant, elastic and not brittle. It is not afraid of temperature changes, maintains its properties from -60 to +120 °C, and therefore will last a long time. Manufacturers provide a guarantee of up to 7 years.
For your information, urethane is used by a leading manufacturer of sports sneakers for the sole, since this material is able to withstand powerful compressive loads and return to its original shape.
Due to their springy properties, autobuffers reduce the load on shock absorbers. As a rule, when the suspension breaks down, they experience enormous compression loads. When passing railroad tracks, the moment of impact is so strong that the shock absorber can simply work all the way and break through. After this, it works at half its efficiency or does not work at all. By placing a buffer between the coils of the spring, we reduce the risk of breakdown of the strut by 95%. The autobuffer prevents the spring from compressing to the end, thereby protecting the suspension.
How to choose an autobuffer?
Firstly, before purchasing this spring spacer, the motorist makes some measurements. So, to install an auto buffer, you need to know the diameter of the spring coils and the distance between the coils. The interturn distance, according to auto mechanics, is measured after creating a load on the rear part of the car (the front part of the car is already well loaded - there is a motor there).
It is better to purchase spring spacers from dealer networks, where they will issue a receipt for the product and a long warranty (both for autobuffers and shock absorbers). Of course, such a purchase will cost more, but the motorist will be sure that he was sold a car buffer made of urethane, and not a cheap, disgusting-looking analogue made of a material that is weakly resistant to loads.
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Also, if the autobuffer does not fit the spring of a particular car model, it can be returned without any problems. In dealer stores, you can (for a fee) ask a specialist to install a spring spacer. True, it will be more expensive, but it will be more reliable.
Pros of autobuffers
- Due to the autobuffer, the shock absorber stroke is reduced and this prevents it from going into breakdown. Thus, the service life of the racks increases significantly. The car sways less and the bumper stops swaying on potholes. Driving across railroad crossings becomes more comfortable even with worn suspension.
- Autobuffers will save a worn-out chassis from serious repairs for some time, and in some cases completely. For example, weakened springs can be safely revived with the help of buffers. Installation does not require professional skills; just hang the wheel, relax the springs and insert a urethane cushion into the middle turn.
In Russia, they are skeptical about many know-how from abroad, but German cars are comfortable, and for good reason. The latest technologies are used there, both in the engine and in the chassis. You have to keep up with the times, especially when you can make your car comfortable for minimal money.
- Ground clearance increases by 30 mm. Which is very convenient on Russian roads and in yards. You can easily drive through a hole and park your car on the curb without hitting the bumper and threshold. The suspension becomes elastic and passes speed bumps and other irregularities more easily, where previously it was necessary to reduce the speed to a minimum.
- Passengers feel more comfortable while driving. There are no sharp pushes from behind, no impacts from the pillars. Autobuffers, due to their additional softening properties, do not transfer impact energy to the body, which makes the ride more comfortable.
- Urethane cushions are universal, that is, they can be installed on any passenger vehicle. For this, the manufacturer has provided a wide range of sizes by model. There are 8 models of autobuffers available in diameter and height. Also installed on light trucks and passenger cars.
- Roll when cornering is reduced, increasing driving safety during sharp maneuvers.
- Improves controllability in city and highway modes.
- The most important advantage is the enormous savings of money when repairing the chassis. Many motorists estimate an increase in suspension service life by 80 thousand km without visiting a car service center. The suspension is fully protected, like an airbag, and will last for a long time. In addition, driving such a car is more comfortable and safe. The car behaves better when cornering and accelerating.
What are autobuffers for?
Before selecting and installing interturn spacers, it is important to understand what the essence of autobuffers is. Understand how they work and how to choose them correctly for your car. These rubber bands are made from durable and resilient clear urethane. They are able to withstand high loads and therefore are installed in suspension springs to dampen vibrations created by the wheels. That is, it is very simple to understand why autobuffers are needed - they perform a shock-absorbing function. That's why this type of tuning is so popular today.
Many owners of passenger cars who are interested in why interturn spacers for springs are needed, how to select and install them correctly, think about the wear resistance of products. Note that the ability to quickly return to its original shape is one of their main advantages. This is true even in the case of prolonged deformation.
Now you know why interturn spacers are needed and you can appreciate their many advantages. Such products can be installed in the suspension springs of a car, truck, or ATV. This is one of the most common types of tuning today. And if you have already decided for yourself whether spacers are needed for car springs, and answered this question positively, remember that it is important to select and install them correctly.
Disadvantages of autobuffers
Sometimes you have to cut autobuffers to fit the spring size. It all depends on the manufacturer. If you purchase original ones, there will be no such problems and installation will take 15 minutes. As a rule, Chinese buffers are not the right size and wear out quickly. All negative reviews come from Chinese fakes and low-quality manufacturers. This drawback does not apply to German original autobuffers.
The second disadvantage is the price. The cost reaches 5,000 rubles per set. Today, the German manufacturer gives a lower price compared to others.
Complete instructions for installing autobuffers or how to install shock-absorbing pads yourself
What do we need - you ask.
Here's what. First of all, a good jack and a wheel wrench.
Second - water, soap, cleaning cloths, gloves, plastic clamps (if you order from us, we give them in the kit) and a knife.
Installation on the rear axle on these cars takes more time and effort than on the front. And more often than not, more questions arise with her. So let's start with it!
To ensure that the car does not accidentally go anywhere during the installation process, there are wheel chocks. Place it diagonally from the wheel being lifted. We will start the installation from the rear right wheel, accordingly we place the shoes under the front left one.
With the car lowered, pull off the bolts. On some cars this is the most difficult operation of the entire installation. But the Sportage has small springs, which make it difficult to push the autobuffer into. That's why we are considering this car)
Lift it up, unscrew the bolts, and remove the wheel.
Remember that you only need to completely unscrew the bolts when the car is jacked up, with the wheel off the ground.
It can be seen that a lot of dirt has accumulated on the spring. Well, it's time to remove it!
We wash and wipe the springs to remove all dirt.
Sometimes shock-absorbing pads do not fit in diameter - that is, they are larger than required. In such cases, we proceed simply - cut off one section of the autobuffer so that the segment has a smooth edge
We generously smear the autobuffer with liquid soap, as well as the spring itself. Do not skimp on soap, otherwise in this case the installation will take a whole hour!
We attach the autobuffer to the spring. At first, only in 1 groove, on one side. In this case, I started from the top. And after that we push it so that it “snaps” into the second groove, from the bottom side. A start!
It looks like this - the first few centimeters are already on the spring, and the rest sticks out. We continue to install - we rotate the autobuffer along the spring, and snap it around the entire perimeter... and so on until the end. At the very end it will be quite difficult - the “tail” there is quite large. For convenience, you can push it with something flat. Make sure that the entire spring is completely seated in the grooves.
After that, all that remains is to align it on the spring. The autobuffer is required to be centered. The most convenient way is to push at the end with one hand, and help with the other, catching on the holes in the center of the pillow.
After that, put on the wheel and tighten the bolts. not much, we’ll have time to tighten it some more when we lower the car.
And then we twist it with force.
You need to twist it with an “asterisk” - that is, for example, like this - start from the bottom, then the top left, then the right, then the left, then the top right, and again pull out the bottom.
If you have 4 bolts, then they are simply opposite.
Wash the disk, and voila! All is ready!
To questions like the autobuffer won’t fit into the spring, the cushion won’t fit, or the spacer won’t fit into the spring - our answer is more soap!
https://youtu.be/pQxOJWCCjGU
Auto buffers or spacers
Most often, these two completely different things are tied together or the question is which is better. In fact, there are colossal differences, and their functionality is completely different. Let's figure it out.
Spacers are devices only for increasing the vehicle's ground clearance. Each car has its own mold, made of metal or plastic. Their only function is to increase ground clearance by 3 cm or more. They have a number of significant disadvantages:
- The stability of the car decreases due to the fact that the suspension angle increases;
- The force of pressure on different components is not uniform, which can have a detrimental effect on controllability;
- Chassis parts wear out faster;
- During installation, you must remove the entire rack assembly.
Unlike spacers, autobuffers are installed quickly, do not break chassis parts, do not change the center of gravity, while increasing the ground clearance by 30 mm. Firstly, it’s all about the material, and secondly, where they fit into the spring. Because of this, they prevent critical compression to the point of breakdown, smooth out vibrations and do not transmit vibrations to the car body. The main thing is that the buffers do not change the design of the chassis, thereby making driving as safe as possible. In terms of cost, auto buffers and spacers are not very different, especially since German manufacturers have reduced the cost of production by opening a branch in Russia. There is a program to jointly raise the level of road safety through proper technical retrofitting of vehicles.
If we think from the point of view of long-term use of the car, that is, from 100 thousand km, then it is better to use autobuffers. Spacers were installed before, when there was nothing else. In principle, even new springs could not be found, and spacers were lying on all car markets in the country. But unfortunately, they are not safe for both driving and chassis.
Disadvantages of autobuffers:
Unfortunately, nothing is without its drawbacks.
- So, the main undoubted disadvantage is the high cost of the product. In reality, the price for autobuffers is very high (up to 10,000 rubles, depending on the type and parameters of the autobuffer), but if you take into account all the advantages described above, then, in the opinion of drivers, it is worth the expense.
- Increased suspension stiffness places more load on the chassis (running gear).
- Autobuffers are not suitable for all car models. When installing these spacers yourself using a cut-in or fastening, they have to be “adjusted” to the spring of a specific car model.
- Mounting problems. It so happens that sometimes when the car is moving, these spring spacers fall off and are lost. Therefore, craftsmen in service centers began to secure them with nylon clamps. But nylon, as is known, does not have high resistance to wear and abrasion. Therefore, such auto-buffer mounts sooner or later wear out and break off. And you can’t attach a spacer using mechanical clamps either (they wipe the autobuffer itself). So the driver has to constantly inspect the auto-buffer mount and, if necessary, change it.
Which autobuffers to buy
Below is a rating of autobuffers, about which you can read reviews and find out the cost on the manufacturer’s official website. In order not to run into fakes, we have collected only verified and official suppliers:
- The most optimal German autobuffers from Power Guard. There will be a separate review about them;
- German shock-absorbing Impact Protection cushions;
- Power shield
- Powerbuff;
- Korean product Ttc;
- Also Korean transparent Mroad.
Is it worth installing autobuffers?
Having first appeared on the market, this type of tuning caused different feelings among owners of trucks and cars. Some perceived interturn urethane products with delight, while others with distrust. Let's look at all the pros and cons of autobuffers so that you can form your own opinion about them and, if necessary, select and install them correctly.
The main advantage of autobuffers in suspension springs is that they are very effective. If you can choose and install them correctly on your car, then you will appreciate the following advantages of the products:
1. The ability to stiffen a worn suspension.
2. Possibility of comfortable driving on uneven roads.
3. Possibility of reducing roll, increasing traffic safety.
4. Rod protection in case of strong impacts.
5. Ability to provide maximum driving comfort.
Next, considering the pros and cons of interturn spacers, it is necessary to talk about their disadvantages. These include:
1. Suspension rigidity, which creates additional load on the car’s chassis.
2. Difficulty in choosing autobuffers (relevant if you don’t know how to choose them correctly).
3. Installation specifics (if the interturn spacer is installed incorrectly in the spring, it may fall out because it is not securely fastened).
Practice shows that the advantages of products outweigh the disadvantages. Therefore, this type of tuning is becoming increasingly popular.
Divorce or reality will be shown by test results
The whole truth about whether autobuffers are harmful is visible from the results of laboratory tests. Research was carried out by scientists at the Automotive Institute for Testing Civil Vehicles to issue a license for the development and production of auto buffers.
Vibration test: At a speed of 20 km/h, vibration energy is minimal in the body
Vibration test: With an urban cycle of 40 km/h, autobuffers are beneficial
Slalom test: lateral force applied to the wheel, (X: time (sec), Y: force (KN)): with an autobuffer the force is reduced.
Slalom test: measurement of lateral rolls, (X: time (sec), Y: roll amount (deg)): after installing autobuffers, rolls are reduced.
Quick lane change test: lateral force applied to the wheel, (X: time (sec), Y: force (KN)): with an autobuffer, the force decreases.
Abrupt lane change test: lateral roll measurement, (X: time (sec), Y: roll amount (deg)): after installing autobuffers, rolls are reduced.
Hard braking test: longitudinal force applied to the wheel, (X: time (sec), Y: force (KN)): no significant difference is observed, autobuffers do not have a negative effect on the braking process, there is a slight improvement in short sections.
Hard braking test: measurement of angular velocity (maximum and minimum values), (X: time (sec), Y: angular velocity (deg/sec)): autobuffers significantly reduce this indicator, which has a positive effect on the braking process.
Autobuffer installation
For those who understand auto mechanics, installing this spring spacer will not be difficult. The only difficult task when installing autobuffers is hanging the wheels and removing the load from the spring. All you need is a lift or jack.
Installation of interturn spacers is done manually without much effort. To do this, the autobuffers are first cleaned of dust and dirt and lubricated with soap foam (to simplify installation and movement along the coils of the spring). The only thing that can complicate the task is the need to trim (adjust) the rubber bands if they take up more space than one turn. The installed autobuffers are secured with plastic clamps. This completes the installation of the spring spacers.
The test can begin.
How autobuffers work
Let's understand the principle of how autobuffers work. The design is a 100% urethane split ring with holes that allow it to shrink to a minimum size without allowing the post to break through. The elastic composition of the pillow instantly returns to its place and takes its original shape.
Polyurethanes are chemically bonded polymers. They, in turn, represent a complex three-dimensional structure of monomers. These chains polymerize during synthesis into long chains. Due to this they have a huge range of strength. Therefore, urethane has found wide application in industry, the sports clothing industry, in particular sneakers. Products made from this material can withstand an aggressive environment, and the car suspension actually works in the area of snow, water, and chemicals. The urethane molecules in car buffers have a strong mesh structure and high molecular weight, due to which this effect is achieved during vehicle operation.
Types and sizes of autobuffers
Vibration damping spacers can be installed on both domestic and foreign cars. Manufacturers offer a wide range of standard sizes.
The main task of the car owner is to determine the type of springs he owns. There are 8 options for plastic inserts on store shelves: K, S, A, B, C, D, E, F. Their main difference is in size. When selecting, it is important to note that in most tables the interturn distance is indicated for springs that are in a loaded state.
What happens to the car suspension when installing autobuffers
Shock-absorbing springs are afraid of sudden jumps that occur off-road. To reduce the load, autobuffers are installed between the turns. They take most of the pressure on themselves and significantly slow down the compression.
They are very useful in cases where the suspension needs major repairs. Interturn rubber bands cope with various rolls and vibrations in the suspension. On average, after installation, the buffer extends the life of the system by 40-50 thousand km.
However, the spacer does not fully support the load. It protects only the main turns, exposing the weak points of the structure. The spring mounting areas become less protected as the pressure on them increases. As a result, there is a risk that the spring will simply burst, and the car will sag on one side.
Autobuffers duplicate the work of a standard damper. It already copes with most problem areas on the road, so installing additional equipment is only relevant if it is worn out.
They are also actively involved in preventing vehicle roll. The anti-roll bar is responsible for this. However, it loses effectiveness when starting abruptly. Spacers that are installed on the corresponding axle during a sharp start or braking are necessary in order to insure the stabilizer, which is why the car will not sag significantly.
