Technical FAQ
1. How to spot faulty shock?
- Wheels bounce
- High susceptibility to side winds
- Car body sways
- Steering vibrates
- Oil on the shock absorber
- Uneven tyre wear
- Suspension bottoms out
- Worn out ball joints
- Poor cornering stability
- Car “dives” during braking
- Worn-out rubber-metal attachment
2. What is so special about inverted mono-tubes? How do they compare to twin-tube and normal mono-tube shock absorbers
First we have to look at the main function of a shock absorber. Shock absorber’s main role is to absorb and get rid of any unwanted energy and motion created by a spring bouncing. If cars are not equipped with shock absorbers from factory, they will bounce uncontrollably from the compression and extension of the spring like a see-saw since springs increase energy when compressed, and releases it when it extends.
Twin-tube shock absorbers have 2 tubes. Due to the 2 separate tubes where the inner tube consists of oil, and the outer tube consists of low-pressure gas, the piston in it has to be smaller to fit all the seals, valves, and the secondary tube. With a smaller piston rod inside, the surface area to absorb impact from rough roads are smaller, this means on very uneven roads comfort will be sacrificed in comparison to our inverted mono-tube design which has a much larger piston rod diameter.
Mono-tube shock absorbers have only one tube in comparison to a twin-tube design. This means that the gas and oil are in the same chamber without the need for a secondary tube and secondary valve to allow gas and oil to flow. The gas in mono-tube shocks are pressurized to suspend the rod piston which is encased in oil and separated by a metal seal.
However for a shock absorber to absorb and dissipate energy, it has to have some sort of medium to get rid of it, which is oil and gas. As mentioned previously in the twin-tube paragraph, a small rod diameter translates to a more uncomfortable ride, so why not just enlarge the mono-tube’s rod diameter? Because there will be compromises in the mono-tube’s body. Since the shock absorber’s rod diameter has been enlarged the amount of oil & gas inside has to be minimized to fit the rod. With less oil and gas inside but a larger surface to absorb impact, the gas and oil will start heating up, and that’s where the compromise begins.
When the gas and oil heats up from the constant movement, it will start bubbling which is called cavitation. The definition of cavitation is the formation of an empty space within a solid object or body. This means the high pressure gas that is used in shock absorbers are starting to break down, which causes the damping to become weak and cause inconsistent damping and unpredictable handling.
Inverted mono-tube shock absorbers work just like a normal mono-tube absorber, except instead of having the gas and oil at the bottom of the shock, the whole piston rod in the shock is the canister that houses the gas and oil which is braced from 2 points, 1 to the strut mounts, 1 to the shock absorber body in comparison to only average twin and mono-tube shock absorbers where it is only braced to the strut mount, and the bottom valve suspended in the shock body. With a much larger surface area to house more gas and oil, more energy can be dissipated through. This means a comfier ride, better handling, AND better consistency over rough roads. Also with a larger piston rod diameter, the piston rod itself does not flex as much, and in extreme cases, does not break either.
Summary
Inverted mono-tube shock absorbers can absorb energy and impact more efficiently than any twin or mono-tube shock absorber design. This means better handling and comfort.
Benefits of inverted monotube
- More comfortable due to larger surface area of oversized piston valve.
- Stronger due to oversized piston rod shaft.
- Consistant damping under hard use to extra oil and gas capacity.
- Durable yet affordable to service due to minimum seals.
3. I’m still interested. Can you explain more technically how this affects my handling?
With shock absorbers that can absorb more energy, this also means it can be set up firmer to limit travel, but at the same time retain comfort. With stiffer limited wheel travel, this means your car will benefit by being more stable, yet still retain its comfort. It will also roll, dive, and pitch a lot LESS. For trackdays and repeated hard usage, the oversized piston rod dissipates heat from constant vibration and the brakes better than other designs. Also, it resists flexing during side loads while cornering much better.
4. Do all air suspension systems require height sensor recalibration after installing air suspension parts?
No, it is not mandatory. However, recalibrating the height sensors is considered a best practice.
5. How can I tell if my Mercedes-Benz is equipped with AIRMATIC® rephrase?
AIRMATIC® is a trademarked air suspension system by Mercedes-Benz, while ABC, or Active Body Control, refers to a hydraulic suspension system rather than an air-based one. ABC was an uncommon optional feature. To determine which suspension system your vehicle has, open the hood and inspect the top of the shock absorber. If it’s equipped with AIRMATIC, you’ll notice clear air lines extending from the top of the shocks.
General FAQ
1. How often should I inspect my vehicle’s shock absorbers?
The damper should be inspected every 40,000KM or once a year. Whichever comes first.
2. 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
- Soften the harshness of an uneven road making the drive more stable.
- 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 and increase suspension parts lifespan.
3. What is the Atom warranty? How do I get replacement?
Always get in touch with us or original dealer ( with a copy of purchase and details of the fault). Suspect dampers will always need to be returned for investigation before any free of charge replacement are sent. The ATOM warranty to original purchaser against defects in materials or workmanship for as long as you own that car (restricted for street use), during the applicable warranty of 6 or 12 months. The warranty does not cover damage to the parts caused by misuse, misapplication, wrong installation, racing etc.
4. Does the coilover compromise my daily usage comfort?
No. Yet, the shock can be adjusted to be up to your preference
5. Where are Atom parts manufactured?
Completely new air struts and remanufactured air struts are primarily assembled at Atom's in-house facility in Malaysia, using high-quality components sourced both domestically and internationally. Many of the imported cores Atom remanufactures, as well as various components used in assembling Atom springs, new parts, and remanufactured parts, include foreign materials. All air springs are assembled at Atom's manufacturing facility.
6. How long do air suspension parts last?
On average, air suspension components should be replaced every 6 to 10 years or between 80,000 and 100,000 miles. Off-road use can also affect replacement frequency. Over time, the rubber sleeves dry out, and cracks may form around the bottom piston. Compressors typically wear out due to leaky air springs. However, the computer and height sensors generally last the lifetime of the vehicle.
7. Do I have to weld or modify my car to install Atom's suspension
Absolutely not! Atom's airmatic absorber are designed to bolt directly to your vehicle’s suspension for OEM fit and finish. No special tools are necessary to install Atom's absorber. Atom's absorber come preassembled and ready to bolt in. All Atom's suspension brackets are specifically engineered for your vehicle, and CNC-machined at the Atom facility.
8. Why do I have to replace the rear air springs in pairs?
For most ATOM products, we recommend replacing them in pairs, as the older components typically endure similar wear and tear, though it’s not mandatory.
