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“The main reason why cheap shock absorbers seldom fail is because they are not doing what they are sup- posed to do, for example, to control the up and down movements. The working shock absorbers will definitely wear out because they protect the vehicle from being damaged by the up and down movements of the sus- pension system. In fact, shock absorbers wear out fast- er for trucks that carry heavy loads as well as for buses that utilise air springs as compared to leaf springs.”
How could we determine that the shock absorbers were still working? According to Trevor Barter, National Sales Manager of Powerdown Australia Pty Ltd, the easiest way was to touch the bottom part of the shock absorber with the back of one’s hand.
“If it is hot, that means it is still functional. For a working shock absorber, the oil inside heats up due to the shear forces and heat energy is dissipated to the body of the shock absorber. All shock absorbers follow the same mechanics of controlling wheel movements by forcing oil through small holes, with the size or valve of these holes designed to suit the different vehicle characteris- tics. Thus, if the shock absorber is fully functioning, the oil would heat up with the constant up and down move- ments,” Barter explained.
There were hidden dangers of worn shock absorbers. The ability to dampen the suspension system and pro- vide traction on the road surface would be compromised. Thus, Woon stressed, the tyres would be momentarily being lifted off the road, meaning that there would be less traction on the road to provide safe handling, safe braking and mobile safety. These conditions get worse on wet surfaces as the vehicle would be more prone to aquaplaning.
From a humble beginning in 1983, Powerdown had be- come one of the leaders in Australian designed suspen- sion solutions for commercial vehicles. Over the years, the company had expanded significantly to encompass a vast range of truck, trailer and bus as well as 4x4 shock absorbers. Its products could
be found in some of the toughest terrain in the West Indies, Africa and South East Asia.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary last year, the company had been work-
ing closely with its Malaysian partner, E-2000 Products, to raise the awareness of the importance of shock absorbers among fleet and transportation companies.
文律强调说，该投资会获得长期的回报。“好的避震器非常耐用，
使用寿命更长，并能够胜任它们被设计来执行的工作。它们能够协
助车队降低服务故障、轮胎及其他悬挂组件的磨耗，加强车子的燃
油经济、舒适性及车子性能。”
坊间有许多关于避震器的错误观念。 他指出，有些人会用手将避 震器拉一拉来感觉它，如果感觉很紧就认为很好。事实上，他说要 想知道避震器好不好，必须将它们安装在车子上来测试它们或通过 测力机来测试它们的力度。
“避震器的大小无法鉴定它的品质。大的避震器并不一定就代表着
好和耐用。如何为你的车子选择正确的避震器，可以是一门科学。
市场上有许多不同的汽车避震系统，购买避震器时应该选择适合自
己避震器系统或弥补避震器系统之不足的避震器。了解避震器的不
同设计和这些设计的特点，以及它们如何影响车子的驾驶和处理也
非常重要。”
由于避震器会因逐渐的磨耗而致使它效力稍减，所以必须检查和维
修避震器。然而他表示有些人说，便宜的避震器较少失效。
“便宜的避震器较少失效主要是因为它们没有发挥该有的功能， 比如控制上下的移动。发挥功能的避震器绝对会耗损，因为它们 保护车子，以免它因为上下移动的影响而受到损伤。事实上，载 重卡车和采用空气弹簧的巴士的避震器会比采用钢板弹簧的耗损 得更快。”
那么我们如何才能知道避震器是不是在发挥它的功能呢?据澳大利 亚Powerdown私人有限公司国内销售经理巴德尔(Trevor Barter) 说，最容易的方式就是用手背触摸避震器的底部。
“如果感觉热就表示它仍在运作。运作中的避震器内部的油会因为 剪应力而生热，而该热能将被分散到避震器体。所有避震器控制车 轮移动的力学都是相同的，也就是强制油通过小孔，只不过这些 小孔的大小或气阀设计会为了符合不同车子的特性而有所不同。因 此，运作中的避震器的油会因为上下的移动而热起来。”
耗损的避震器有着隐藏的危机。避震器一旦耗损，就会影响它们为
悬挂系统所提供的避震和路面牵引力。因此，温文律强调这将导致
轮胎有时会离开路面，也就是说减少了对路面的牵引力，无法提供
安全的操控、制动及移动。这些情况在潮湿时会更严重，这样一来
车子就更容易打滑。
从1983年小规模公司做起的Power- down，今天已成为其中一家澳大利 亚设计的商用车悬挂系统解决方案 的领袖。 这些年来，该公司大大地 扩展了其卡车、牵引车、巴士及四
驱车避震器系列。 这些产品可在西印度群岛、非洲及
东南亚最苛刻的地形上找到。
去年庆祝成立30周年纪念的它，与 其马来西亚伙伴--E2000产品密切合
作，致力于灌输和提高国内运输车队有关避震器重要性的意识。
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