What do shocks do?

Shocks play an integral role in your vehicle’s suspension system. They are designed to give you a much smoother ride by absorbing and damping feedback from the road.

Keep in mind, HD shocks do much more than just provide a smooth ride.

• Damps Motion
  • - Helps absorb road impacts and reduces transmission of energy caused by pot holes and speed bumps
• Safety
  • - Reduced stopping distance through control of weight transfer and better handling
• Protects Expensive Truck Components
  • - Keeping tires from uncontrolled bouncing helps prevent cupping and pre-mature wear
  • - Protects air springs and taper leaf springs from over-extension or metal fatigue
  • - Protects vibration-sensitive components such as lights, refrigeration units, and electronics

• Better Driver Comfort
  • - Smoother ride and better handling provide less driver fatigue

Do shocks wear out?

Yes, shocks do wear out. They are a wear item designed to protect other more expensive components. Shocks will rarely fail completely, but damping performance can reduce over time, which could have a very negative effect on other components.

A shock can be composed of up to 40 precision engineered parts, which include: valves, valve seats and springs, pistons, a piston rod, and a number of high precision parts and seals. All of these components are susceptible to wear and tear over time. That’s why Gabriel® recommends that you have your shocks checked by a qualified service technician visually every 15,000 miles and heat-tested every 50,000 miles.

How can I check my shocks?

Gabriel® recommends you have your commercial vehicle shocks visually inspected every 15,000 miles and perform the Gabriel Heat Test every 50,000 miles. To do a visual check on your shocks, look for any physical damage to the shock housing, damage to the shock end mounts, or any leaking streaks of oil. Also, inspect your tires for unusual cupping or wear patterns, and premature wear to air bags (if equipped). If no visual signs of failure are observed, it is important not to stop at visual inspections! Since shocks generate heat if working properly, Gabriel’s Heat Test will tell you if your shocks are still working as they should. For more information visit CheckYourShocks.com

When should I replace my shocks?

Replacement schedules vary as the rate of wear depends on the types of operating environments the vehicle experiences. Every fleet’s application is different due to differences in roads, cargo, climate, types of suspension and driver. Generally, Gabriel® recommends replacing your shocks used on on-highway vehicles with air-ride or taper-leaf suspensions around 150,000 miles, or 100,000 miles for vocational applications to ensure a safer and more comfortable ride in most vehicles. Actual mileage intervals may also vary based on vehicle manufacturer’s specifications. However, shocks should be replaced for a number of reasons:

• • To improve or upgrade performance or restore original performance
• • If the vehicle suffers from excessive lean, sway or bouncing, nose-diving when braking, uneven tire wear, etc.
• • If the housing becomes damaged or dented, this may cause leaks that will affect the shock’s performance

I have a light film of oil on my shock, does it need to be replaced?

Probably not. “Misting” is a common occurrence and totally normal in shocks. In fact, shocks are designed to mist slightly. This oil “mist” lubricates the seal as the rod moves, maximizing shock life. A secondary benefit is additional rod corrosion protection. A light oil film on the shock body is normal. However, if there is an excessive amount of oil on the shock, if oil is running or dripping down the side, or if the box is saturated, the shock may be defective and may need to be replaced. Please refer to our Misting vs. Leaking video for more information.

Why is it important to replace worn shocks?

As shocks degrade slowly over time, so does the performance and control of your vehicle. Shocks play an essential role in your suspension system; keeping your tires on the road during daily driving conditions and aid in preventing your tires and other suspension parts from becoming damaged and worn out. If shocks aren’t replaced, all ride control elements are affected. Your stability, steering, tire contact with the road, and ability to stop are all affected. For maximum comfort, control, performance and safety it is essential to replace your shocks at regular intervals.

My tires are unevenly worn. Do I need to replace my ride control components?

Possibly. There are many factors that can contribute to uneven tire wear; the most common cause is a wheel alignment. Worn ride control components can also contribute. Cupping of the tires is commonly seen as an indicator of worn ride control components. However, other types of tire wear can also be caused by worn ride control parts.

What other components should I ask the mechanic to look at when I have my shocks serviced?

If you are having your shocks serviced or replaced, all other parts of the suspension should be checked. In addition, connecting nuts and bolts should be checked, as they also undergo much wear and tear. It is also an ideal time to inspect air springs as these two components work together.

Is it normal for FleetLine shocks not to extend when taken out of the box?

FleetLine shocks do not and should not extend on their own when taken out of the box since they aren’t gas-charged. FleetLine shocks are hydraulic, as are most of the shocks chosen by OE manufacturers on today’s new commercial vehicles and trailers. Whether a product is gas-charged or not does not determine its quality or performance, but with FleetLine’s billions of miles verified in real world use – you can rest assured that FleetLine is the best quality, durable shock that will go the extra mile for you! For more information please watch our Unboxing a FleetLine Shock video.

Why isn’t FleetLine gas charged?

Some competitors choose to gas charge their shocks to reduce aeration, which causes performance loss (fade). Since FleetLine’s proprietary valving system does an exceptional job of reducing aeration, gas charging is not needed. In fact, when tested against competitors for performance loss, FleetLine delivers 20% better anti-fade performance than competitors!

Since GasSLX shocks contain gas, why don’t they extend on their own when taken out of the box?

Gas SLX incorporates gas cell technology which is different from “gas-charged” as the gas is contained within a sealed “cell”. The gas cell replaces the internal void filled by pressurized gas in a gas charged shock. The gas cannot escape thru the rod seal which is common for gas charged shocks and the cell is charged at a lower pressure than a gas charged shock so it will not and should not extend on its own when taken out of the box. GasSLX shocks are a perfect choice for commercial vehicles that see high miles and lots of road dust. GasSLX’s cellular gas technology also allows for inverted use or extreme angles of operation that conventional gas charging cannot do. They are much easier to install also, since you are not fighting against the shock to hold the rod in a collapsed position.

Can I mount my shock absorber upside down?

No. With the exception of a few specialty shocks, you should never mount your shock absorbers upside down. Typical twin-tube shocks, whether standard or gas-charged, are not designed to function upside down for many important reasons. Attempts to do this will likely result in poor shock performance, premature failure and potential damage to your vehicle.

I'm trying to replace my shocks but they don't seem long enough. Do I need longer shocks?

In some cases you only need to support the lower control arm to shorten the distance, while you connect the shock. Many vehicles are designed to use the length of the shock absorber as a limiter for suspension travel. Gabriel® also recommends that you measure the ride height before performing any suspension work. It can indicate other problems if it is out of specification. A lower than specified ride height might indicate that your vehicle has worn springs. A taller than specified ride height might indicate that lift kit is installed on the vehicle.

I just had my shocks replaced, so why does my vehicle seem to have more harshness to the ride?

Many drivers are quick to forget how a good shock absorber should work. As old shocks become worn over time, the result is a softer ride and drivers tend to adjust their driving style to compensate for this. New Gabriel® shocks return the vehicle to its original ride quality.

What can I expect from my new shocks?

Increase driver comfort and control:

• • New shocks are better equipped to keep the vehicle’s tires on the road, which increases control of the vehicle
• • New shocks help soften the harshness of an uneven road making the drive more stable.
• • New shocks can also help prevent the vehicle from excessive leaning on turns, nose-diving on stops or veering in crosswinds, providing a more controlled and smooth ride

Reduce Tire Wear:

New shocks will reduce tire wear and potentially increase your tires’ life. Worn suspension components, such as old shocks, cause your suspension to move excessively, resulting in additional and sometimes uneven wear on your tires.

Decrease stress on – and increase the life of – other key components and systems:

• • When tires lift off the road and then fall back down, it generates substantial energy which the rest of the vehicle components must absorb, thereby causing excessive wear and tear on these other parts, pieces and systems
• • One of the key functions of shocks is to absorb the energy and harsh road conditions of everyday driving and to isolate it from reaching the rest of the vehicle. If shocks are old and performance is reduced, this function is compromised, causing other components to experience extra wear. Example: when a vehicle with worn shocks nose-dives while braking, it causes extra wear on the brakes.
• • Worn shocks may also cause the vehicle to move excessively, which causes additional wear on pivot points of the vehicle, such as when a vehicle leans or sways excessively in turns, or veers in side winds.

Your new shock will not:

• • Change your ride height.
  • - With the exception of a few specialty shock products, ride height is determined by your springs, other suspension components, and the vehicle’s original design and construction
• • Cause or fix vibrations.
  • - Certain vibrations are ongoing and are caused by rotational forces in the drive train, wheels and tires. The only way to reduce/remove these vibrations is to repair their cause. A shock works by damping the impact of individual forces as they occur, such as sudden pavement bumps or potholes. It is not designed to correct repetitive, ongoing problems with other systems.

Click here for FAQ's about air shocks/air leveling systems. 

GABRIEL CANNOT DETERMINE WHETHER ANY PARTICULAR CUSTOMER IS QUALIFIED TO CHECK OR REPLACE RIDE CONTROL, SHOCKS OR STRUTS. CUSTOMERS MUST MAKE THEIR OWN ASSESSMENTS OF THEIR EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL RESULTS AND IF IN DOUBT, SEEK THE ASSISTANCE OF A QUALIFIED TRAINED MECHANIC.

THESE VIDEOS ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS, BUT ARE INTENDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY.

EVERY VEHICLE IS DELIVERED WITH AN OEM OWNER’S MANUAL. IF YOU CANNOT LOCATE YOURS, SEVERAL PUBLICATIONS EXIST THAT WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE PARTS ON THE VEHICLE YOU ARE ABOUT TO REPAIR. READ THE OEM MANUAL SPECIFIC TO THE MAKE AND MODEL OF YOUR VEHICLE AND THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT ACCOMPANY YOUR GABRIEL PRODUCT BEFORE UNDERTAKING ANY REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT PROJECT. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OR ASSISTANCE OF A QUALIFIED, TRAINED PROFESSIONAL WHEN NEEDED.

BEFORE STARTING AND VEHICLE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT PROJECT, YOU MUST HAVE THE PROPER TRAINING, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT AND EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO SAFELY AND CORRECTLY COMPLETE THE PROJECT. THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR ANYONE ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE A WORN STRUT OR SHOCK ABSORBER, BECAUSE FAILURE TO REMOVE THE WORN PART OR INSTALL THE REPLACEMENT PARTS CORRECTLY ON YOUR VEHICLE MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.