Every car owner knows how important it is to change the worn parts of your vehicle in time. This procedure is usually performed during maintenance. An inexperienced driver may not pay enough attention to minor details and mechanisms. Because of this, various malfunctions may occur in the machine's system.
One of these components is a rubber bumper. Not every car owner knows about the purpose of this part. However, its function is quite significant. This element is able to extend the life of the car, make driving comfortable. What this part is, as well as reviews on its choice from professional mechanics, it will be interesting for every driver to know.
General characteristics
The rubber bumper is part of a special protective kit designed for the oil seal and chrome-plated shock absorber rod. The operation of the mechanism occurs at increased loads and speeds. Therefore, it is required to provide high-quality protection for this system. A detail such as a chipper contributes to a long service lifeshock absorbers. Moreover, the need to repair this system of the car will not come soon. This saves a significant amount of money.
Anther is put on the chipper. This allows you to protect the surface of the rod from stress and mechanical damage. This system prevents dirt and water from entering the stuffing box seal. The bump stop allows you to gently limit the stroke of the rod when the shock absorber is fully compressed. The body will not be subjected to sharp impacts from the wheels. The smooth running of the machine is guaranteed.
There are also rubber fenders designed for trucks, vans. They prevent mechanical impacts on the vehicle body not only when driving, but also when unloading or parking.
There are also bumpers that are installed on the hood, trunk or car doors. Their functions are similar. Fenders are designed to protect metal or other surfaces from mechanical damage.
Baffle device
Rubber bumpers for cars are installed in a variety of structural elements. The most important are those that are involved in the shock absorber system. It is an integral part of the vehicle system. Its choice depends on the load on the car.
Fenders are designed to absorb the load on metal and other structural elements, and also prevent sand, dirt or water from entering the surface. When a load occurs, the material of the bumper is compressed, due to which the impact force is significantlydecreasing.
Fenders for a car can be made in the form of a damper, plates, bars, etc. The configuration depends on the machine system in which such a structural element is installed. Most often, the material for the manufacture of such parts is soft porous rubber.
In the absence of serious loads, the bump stop is at rest. But when the mechanical effect on the metal surface increases, it works. Most of the load is applied to the fender.
Why change the fender?
The rubber bumper for the trunk, bumper, doors needs to be replaced in a timely manner. This is especially noticeable when the damper of the front or rear shock absorber is destroyed. In this case, the part is no longer able to perform its functions. Metal or other surfaces will be subjected to stress, gradually breaking down.
If during inspection of the car it will be noticeable that the bump stop is destroyed (even slightly), it should be replaced. If this is an element of a shock absorber, the car seems to “squat” on one wheel. This means that the system is subjected to increased loads while driving. The shock absorber is destroyed. If the fender is not replaced in time, more expensive repairs will soon have to be made.
If the boot, which is on the bump stop, breaks, oil may leak from the shock absorber. Therefore, auto mechanics advise drivers to periodically (at least once a month) inspect the mechanism under the wings of the wheels. When replacing shock absorbers, it is also better to change the bump stop. Even if the material of the part looks solid and serviceable.
Bumper guards
On sale today is a rubber bumper bumper, trunk for various types of cars. These structural elements have a different configuration. They are selected in accordance with the shape of the surfaces of the machine on which you want to install a protective element.
For a bumper, a bump stop can be quite aesthetic. It is installed not only to protect the hood, but also as an element of tuning. Such a detail decorates the car, gives it a stylish appearance.
Trunk bumper
For trunks, a bumper is required primarily for those cars that carry goods. Also, such a structural element is able to protect the vehicle during parking, unloading and loading.
Therefore, almost all large vehicles designed to transport various goods have rubber bumpers.
Side and door striker
Rubber bumpers for doors can be made of rubber or roller type. Both types of limiters are used in cars. Rubber fenders are slightly cheaper.
By mounting the protective elements of the presented type, the driver prevents mechanical impact on the door and its fittings when the door slams. This is especially important for taxi owners. Carrying passengers, they sometimes encounter inaccuracy of passengers. The bump stop prevents a strong load when the door slams sharply.
Side protective elements most often have the form of a rectangular bar. This avoids parking hassles. This is especially important for large cars, as well as when the owner of the vehicle does not have enough driving experience.
Requirements for fenders
Due to certain conditions, the trunk, doors, shock absorbers, buffer need additional protection. A rubber bumper, depending on its location, must be characterized by some mandatory qualities.
The density of the material should correspond to the expected level of loads. A material that is too rigid will not fully compress upon impact. In this case, the load will be almost completely transferred to the surface. Too soft bumpers under mechanical stress can simply collapse immediately. Therefore, technologists select the optimal indicators of rubber hardness for a particular car system.
Also, fenders must be resistant to high temperatures, deformations. They should not lose their qualities even in very hot weather or frost. If the temperature changes drastically, the material of the protective element must remain the same functional. Also presented products must be resistant to chemical, mechanical influences of the environment.
Material reviews
Choosing a bumper for the hoodrubber, for doors, shock absorbers or other vehicle systems, the driver must consider several options for their implementation. This affects the performance of such devices.
In addition to rubber parts, silicone and polyurethane fenders are also produced today. There is a wide range of such protective elements in stores. Each material has a number of advantages. Rubber elements are sometimes significantly inferior to them.
If there are severe frosts in the area where the car is operated, it is better to use silicone fenders. Rubber hardens quickly under these conditions. At the same time, the force of impacts during movement increases significantly.
Polyurethane foam varieties, in addition to their excellent anti-vibration qualities, are also resistant to aggressive environments and chemicals. Therefore, rubber bumpers are gradually fading into the background. Today, more advanced materials are used.
Shock absorber bumpers
Rubber bump stop for van, truck or car is a must-have in shock absorber system. Their shape, size and diameter differ depending on the vehicle model.
Fenders for the front and rear shock absorbers are characterized by almost the same device. The difference is due only to differences in the diameter of the stem. Some brands of cars have more power in the front pillars, while others have more power in the rear.
Trucks often have a larger rear diameterchipper. In passenger cars, such indicators are often inherent in the front shock absorber. It has to do with load distribution. A lot of weight in passenger cars is concentrated in front. Under the hood is the engine and other mechanical elements. Therefore, for such machines, it is important to strengthen the front shock absorbers.
Types of bumpers for shock absorbers
The rubber bumper is designed to be used in various conditions. At the same time, vehicle developers take into account the quality of the road, climatic features, the maximum permissible speed and other parameters. In accordance with this, there are 4 main groups of bumpers for shock absorbers.
Standard models are on sale, as well as for driving on the highway. There are protective elements for a comfortable ride or for sports cars that participate in competitions. The main differences are the porosity and softness of the material.
Recommendations for selection
When choosing a rubber bumper, you must first set the type of modification of the part that was already in the vehicle. However, in some cases, standard protective elements are not the best option for this car. Therefore, when buying, it will be more correct to consult a good auto mechanic.
For sporty driving it is necessary to use materials of increased hardness. Their porosity will be much less than other types of parts. To make the ride really comfortable (with good quality roads), you can give preference to soft bumpers. In production, standard varieties are installed in shock absorbersdetails shown.
Having considered such a structural element as a rubber bumper, each car owner will be able to choose the best option for themselves.
