Automotive hoses are an essential component of every vehicle. On average, each vehicle is fitted with approximately 20 metres of hose, which is vital for the smooth and efficient operation of various automotive systems. These hoses are highly flexible and are used to convey essential fluids and gases, ensuring the critical functions of the engine, fuel supply, braking and power steering systems. T...
First, let me show you a picture so you can see how many bushings are used in the suspension. Have any of you ever wondered why suspension systems are designed with so many bushings? The quality of the bushings determines the overall performance of the vehicle! The reason why suspension systems are designed with a large number of bushings is not simply ‘for the sake of complexity’, but rather the ...
Power steering fluid is a vital fluid that provides power assistance to the steering system, helping the driver to manoeuvre the vehicle with ease. Due to various factors such as duration of use and environmental conditions, the power steering fluid must be checked and replaced after a certain period of use. The procedure is as follows: 1. Align the front wheels so that they are pointing straight ...
1. The power steering feels heavy or lacks assistance Symptoms: Heavy steering, with brief loss of hydraulic power assistance Causes of fault: ① Loose V-belt on the oil pump ② Oil level in the reservoir too low ③ Insufficient oil pump pressure ④ Pressure control valve sticking ⑤ Excessive external leakage ⑥ Excessive internal leakage ⑦ Steering shaft bushing too tight ⑧ Front suspension deformatio...
Air conditioning piping connects the four major components of the system—the compressor, condenser, evaporator and expansion valve—to form a closed system, within which the refrigerant is stored or circulates. When the air conditioning system is in operation, the refrigerant circulates continuously, exchanging heat with the outside environment to achieve the cooling function. To ensure the refrige...
Nowadays, many car models feature badges such as ‘1.8T’ or ‘2.0T’ on the rear; the ‘T’ here indicates that the vehicle is fitted with a turbocharged engine. Fig. 1 A turbocharger (Fig. 1) utilises the exhaust gases from the engine to drive the turbine (located within the exhaust manifold); the turbine, in turn, drives the coaxial impeller situated within the intake manifold. The impeller compresse...
As a key component of a car’s chassis, the shock absorber serves to dampen the vibrations caused by the spring rebounding after absorbing shocks and to absorb the energy from road impacts. However, as friction between the components leads to rapid wear and tear, this is where its trusty companion, the ‘top rubber’, comes into its own. The high-quality top mount, acting as the spring seat at the to...
Why can’t you hear the sound of metal scraping against metal when a car is driving on a bumpy road? Why do we often say that a car feels ‘soft’ or ‘stiff’? How is this achieved through suspension tuning? That’s right—it’s all down to the car’s bushings! Durable Car Bushings serve to absorb shocks, reduce friction, extend the life of components and enhance comfort. Who would have thought such a sma...
As the spring mount at the top of the shock absorber assembly, the top mount absorbs more than a quarter of the vehicle’s weight in impact forces when driving on uneven roads, playing an indispensable role. Today, let’s take a closer look at it! The function of the top layer The shock absorber top mount is made of rubber and serves to cushion and dampen vibrations. When the spring is fully compres...
If you hear a ‘creaking’ noise coming from the car’s chassis, accompanied by the steering wheel pulling to one side whilst driving, it could be a problem with the suspension bushings. Today, we’ll take a look at what you need to know about car bushings. What is an automotive bushing? In mechanical design, the connection of moving parts is a common requirement; however, relative motion between comp...