Everything in the car is assembled in such a way that even small elements play a key role. Most car owners do not notice this, and when they are shown in a car service what the problem was, then surprise appears immediately. After all, such a small and, at first glance, unremarkable object like a silent block is capable of exerting such an effect on a car.
The editors of the site "bestx.htgetrid.com/en/" have prepared for you a rating of the best manufacturers of silent blocks for 2020.
Content
Appointment
Before choosing a worthy company, it is important to understand why this element is needed at all and what is its purpose. Rubber-metal hinges (otherwise they are called silent blocks) are responsible for the level of vibration and noise that are transmitted to the suspension, and then enter the vehicle interior. Thanks to the correct operation of this element, the driver experiences pleasure and comfort while driving without feeling excessive vibration.
The design is very simple - it is a pair of bushings made of solid metal, between which there is an insert made of rubber or polyurethane. There are still disputes between car owners about which material is better.
The silent block can be described as an intermediary between the suspension and the body. Suspension elements include levers, shock absorbers, springs, etc. Not only comfort, but also the general condition of the car depends on the correct operation of the hinge.
Silent blocks work not only with the suspension, some manufacturers install them in the engine compartment to minimize the value of noise and vibration. The functions are still the same, so the principle of work does not differ from the suspension types.
In addition, this element is found in gearboxes, on some power plants, in stabilizers and similar structures. The principle of operation remains, but the noise with vibration becomes less.
It is important to understand that silent blocks are consumables, and they are limited in service life.
This is due to the fact that the element is subjected to extreme loads. Professional car service workers recommend changing the joints every 50,000 kilometers so as not to experience discomfort while driving.
If the silent blocks are used in a worn-out condition, the vehicle's handling will deteriorate. The car will not drive straight. If at low speed this can not be noticed, then at 100-120 km / h the driver will immediately detect a malfunction of the element. Driving such a car will not result in anything good, constant roll, creak, steering wheel play, etc. will not give the user acceptable conditions for the trip. Therefore, rubber-to-metal joints are essential for the automotive system and are one of the key elements.
Where are the varieties located
The classic silent block consists of two connected bushings and an insert made of special material that is located between them. Today there are other designs on the market that have changed the appearance, but the functionality remains the same. This is due to the fact that some hinges are designed for installation in the suspension, others in the motor, etc. Therefore, they can be made entirely of rubber or have a metal sleeve on the outside.
This is not the only difference, there is also a difference in the structure of the models. So the stores sell solid hinges, ribbed, or may even include additional vibration damping in the design. The latter are more often used in foreign cars, this solution makes it possible to reduce the vibration that comes from the motor to the body.
Placed in the front and rear suspension of the vehicle. More precisely, the element is installed in the levers that hold the moving parts of the machine.
The stores sell front and rear silent blocks, there is no universal product. Because the front suspension experiences many times more stress than the rear. It is important to constantly monitor the condition of the rubber-metal hinge on the front levers and replace it promptly. Then the car will always be in proper condition and will not break down during long journeys.
Before long journeys, it is necessary to carry out unscheduled maintenance so that the vehicle does not break down on the way. Rear suspension bushings are installed on shock mounts, tie rods and other places where there is a load on the chassis.
Some car owners are interested in the number of rubber-metal joints in various elements. The final figure depends on the specific location, as well as on the decisions of the developer of this brand. Therefore, a specific value is indicated in the operating instructions.
Most often, two silencers are installed in the upper and lower arms for each component, the same number in the rear suspension. However, there are machines where three hinges are mounted in the lower arm. The exact value is individual for each car.
The total amount is 8-10 pieces in the front and up to 16 in the back. These are approximate values and may not be correct for some car owners.
So which is better: rubber or polyurethane?
Due to the fact that the hinges must be replaced every 50 thousand km, the car owner asks himself which of the materials is better in terms of price and quality.
The automotive industry develops and progresses every year. Quiet and high-speed cars with complex elements appear, and the old ones undergo complete modernization. Silent blocks also did not stand aside, and now a person has a choice of two materials: rubber or polyurethane.
A simple and budget option is rubber models. They were created at the beginning of the automotive industry, thanks to them the name "rubber-metal hinges" appeared. Recently, polyurethane representatives have become increasingly popular. Therefore, it is unfair to call silent blocks an outdated concept.
Rubber hinges made with rubber. It is a budget material that sets the final cost of a product. It is easy to manufacture, but its performance is low. In addition to this drawback, the element has a number of drawbacks:
- Small resource of work, on average 20 thousand km;
- Low resistance to low and high temperatures;
- Over time, the material shrinks and crumbles;
- Affected by the environment, moisture and precipitation;
- Even only purchased models will creak, causing discomfort to the owner.
Most often, this option is suitable for installation in a domestic car. However, masters with 10 years of experience will say that even on an old car it is better to install a better quality product and not worry about its suitability than to worry about every play, knock, creak.
Polyurethane hinges many times better than rubber. They outperform their competitors in all technical respects. This product is recommended by all experts because it features high performance, which increases the comfort of use. The suspension and other elements will work perfectly not only in foreign cars, but also in Russian cars, which is a big plus for those who want to upgrade their first car.
The main advantages of the polyurethane silent block:
- Long term of work.According to this indicator, it surpasses rubber products by 4-5 times. Even with active driving, performance remains at a high level, which allows you not to think about replacing in the near future and drive for your pleasure.
- When using polyurethane models, a person will feel comfortable driving, as the car's behavior will change in a positive way. The silentblock does not face various negative effects that are often found in rubber. In addition, the product prevents possible deformation of the suspension.
- Absorption. Noise, vibration, squeaks - a person will forget about any sound in the cabin, because the polyurethane hinges absorb them.
- Overall handling is getting better. The drivers who have "moved" from rubber models to more perfect ones confirm this. Even such a small element can affect the feeling of transport.
Although this product has such a wide range of advantages, it still has a disadvantage - high cost. Therefore, not everyone can replace all hinges at once.
Therefore, most workers in a car service recommend first changing the main elements, and then complementing the design as the rubber "silent" is worn out. This is possible due to the long service life of the polyurethane models. During the time the replaced element will wear out, a person will be able to change 3 rubber hinges, which will have a positive effect on the operation of the car. Therefore, it is not worth abandoning this option, just because of its cost, because its effectiveness has already been proven for decades.
The occurrence of breakdowns
Under normal use, the rubber-to-metal joints will wear out due to frequent use. Like all components, the hinges have a small resource of work, but weather conditions, driving style, the impact of negative factors, etc., can also affect its breakdown. ...
Common causes of breakdowns are:
- Incorrect tightening of the mounting bolts. Some newcomers to the car service, after replacing this component, fix it when the car is on a jack or even suspended. According to all recommendations and rules, it is recommended to carry out this operation when the vehicle is on the ground. Unfortunately, even experienced craftsmen can forget about it and perform these actions, thereby reducing the service life.
- Precise installation. For each hinge, a seat is provided where it is necessary to install the element with maximum accuracy and not break this rule. Because a mistake made during installation can ruin even expensive and reliable hinges, and after a couple of months they will have to be changed again.
- It is not necessary to replace the silent bands on time. If you wait until the element is completely worn out, the suspension will also begin to break. For an accurate determination, it is necessary to monitor the behavior of the car on the road. When the first signs appear, it is important to replace.
- If a person uses rubber hinges, he needs to make sure that they will not come into contact with engine oil. If this happens, the rubber will quickly deteriorate, as it will not withstand the effects of chemicals that are there. Polyurethane products are not afraid of such an impact, which has a positive effect on their performance even in difficult situations.
If a person takes care of the car and timely maintains it and replaces used parts, then the rubber-metal hinges will last the entire operational life without causing problems and worries.
Top best manufacturers of silent blocks
SPAZ - Samara Automotive Parts Production
A proven company that has been supplying quality products for 20 years. At the same time, it has a minimum percentage of complaints, which allows you to be sure of their quality. The only drawback is that they are hard to find in Moscow, only on order through the online store.However, despite this, shipping will not be as high in price.
Advantages:
- High-quality technical support;
- Components at an affordable cost;
- Over 20 years on the market;
- Responsibility.
Disadvantages:
- Not found.
Stellbox
A good Chinese organization that does not resell branded "silent", but produces its own. The presented model range will allow you to find an item for any car, while at a low price. However, the manufacturer recommends installing hinges on Asian cars, as they are mainly targeted at this segment.
Advantages:
- Wide range of products;
- Quality products;
- Low cost.
Disadvantages:
- Products do not withstand frequent driving on bumps and holes.
Optimal
German manufacturer of silent blocks that are suitable for installation in foreign cars. Time-proven quality is how one can characterize the projects of this company. Therefore, their parts are in great demand not only in the Russian market, but also in foreign countries.
Advantages:
- German quality;
- Ideal for foreign cars;
- On the market for over 40 years;
- The production is carried out taking into account the world quality requirements.
Disadvantages:
- Price.
BelMag
The largest Russian store that produces rubber-metal joints for Russian cars. Therefore, the comfort when driving on bad tracks is taken into account here. Due to the fact that the production is located on the territory of the Russian Federation, the cost of the goods is not as high as that of foreign representatives.
Advantages:
- Quality products;
- Dozens of awards and certificates;
- The company is trusted by dozens of professional auto repairmen;
- Low cost.
Disadvantages:
- Not found.
Lemforder
The best manufacturer of silent blocks for cars. This is a large German company that was founded in 1947 and has not lost its original quality since then, therefore it is still in demand among car owners around the world. There are 13,000 rubber-metal products in their assortment, which are suitable for every car.
Advantages:
- Worldwide company;
- Premium quality;
- Reliability and trouble-free operation.
Disadvantages:
- Cost;
- A lot of fakes.
Trialli
An Italian company that has been producing products for foreign and Russian cars since 2005. During this time, production has never lost quality. Experts point out that for an optimal price, the owner gets longevity.
Advantages:
- Reliability;
- Long service life;
- Easily withstands the Russian climate.
Disadvantages:
- They lose in quality.
RBI
Manufacturer from Thailand, which presents a wide selection of silent blocks for Asian and some European cars. Products stand out from competitors due to their low cost and the absence of counterfeits.
Advantages:
- Famous brand;
- Low percentage of fakes;
- Wide range of products;
- Reliability.
Disadvantages:
- Short-lived.
Finally
Even a small element can affect the entire transport. This is important to understand because the integrity of the entire vehicle depends on it. If you have experience using the parts described in the rating, or more interesting representatives, tell us about it in the comments.