Villager V6-181 3.0L SOHC VIN 1 EFI (1997)
Suspension Strut / Shock Absorber: Description and Operation
Front
The function of the front shock absorber in the MacPherson suspension system is to guide, dampen, and limit vehicle wheel motion. Acting as a
structural member of the suspension system, the front shock absorber dampens the up and down loads that are placed on a vehicle body when adverse
road conditions are met.
In addition to allowing the wheels to move up and down, the front shock absorber is part of the axis that is needed for wheel turning. The rotating
movement of the front shock absorber must be free from binding sticking and friction conditions to ease the vehicle's steering effort.
Since the front shock absorber on a vehicle carries a side load at all times, its dampening forces are much higher while on a vehicle than the dampening
forces when the front shock absorber is out of the vehicle. Side loading increases dampening resistance of a front shock absorber by providing higher
friction internally, and, for this reason, front shock absorbers are designed with low dampening forces while standing in the free state (not on the
vehicle).
When a gas-pressurized front shock absorber is held in a vertical position, it is normal for it to be fully extended.