shock position
- Thread starter steveu88
- Start date
Michael Mayben
IHPA Tech Moderator - Retired & No Longer Online
Shock absorbers are designed to be installed in the direction presented in their owner's information. Their internal valving design determines how it should be mounted. This internal actuation is very critical to performance and mounting in the wrong direction will certainly inhibit their operation.
Some can mount "upside down", most should not be mounted in an inverted format. The shocks seen in many performance applications that appear to be inverted, are actually mounted in their proper orientation based upon design.
Some can mount "upside down", most should not be mounted in an inverted format. The shocks seen in many performance applications that appear to be inverted, are actually mounted in their proper orientation based upon design.
Never doubt mr. Mayben...
From monroe shock absorbers frequently asked questions
(same answer, a little additional information)
q: can shock absorbers be mounted upside down (rod end down) and still function properly?
A. Most modern shock absorbers utilize a twin (dual) tube construction; in order to work properly the inner of the two tubes (working chamber) should stay completely filled with oil. The outer (reserve) tube contains an oil reserve along with air or a pressurized gas. If the unit is mounted inverted (rod side down), the air or gas in the outer chamber can enter the inner working chamber, resulting in poor damping performance. Therefore, twin tube shock absorbers should not be mounted upside down (or on their side), with the exception of specially designed units that incorporate a gas cell, or cellular gas material, designed to keep the gas retained in the outer reserve tube.
From monroe shock absorbers frequently asked questions
(same answer, a little additional information)
q: can shock absorbers be mounted upside down (rod end down) and still function properly?
A. Most modern shock absorbers utilize a twin (dual) tube construction; in order to work properly the inner of the two tubes (working chamber) should stay completely filled with oil. The outer (reserve) tube contains an oil reserve along with air or a pressurized gas. If the unit is mounted inverted (rod side down), the air or gas in the outer chamber can enter the inner working chamber, resulting in poor damping performance. Therefore, twin tube shock absorbers should not be mounted upside down (or on their side), with the exception of specially designed units that incorporate a gas cell, or cellular gas material, designed to keep the gas retained in the outer reserve tube.