Technology

The Gabriel Light Vehicle Difference

Chromed & Super-Finished Piston Rod

Gabriel® is the only full-line ride control manufacturer to offer super-finished chromed piston rods on every shock and strut – not just the premium ones. It ensures you that every shock and strut is of the highest quality and provides long-lasting durability.

At Gabriel®, take great pride in heritage as a leading supplier of reliable, high-quality aftermarket ride control products that exceed industry standards for long-lasting performance. That’s one of the reasons why Gabriel is the only full-line ride control manufacturer to offer super-finished chromed piston rods on every shock and strut make – across all levels; not just the “premium” ones.

Why are chromed piston rods better?

Chrome is an extremely durable coating that inhibits rust and keeps the piston rod smooth and debris-free.

The smooth chrome surface reduces the amount of wear on the seal. A seal that rubs on a rusty, grime-filled rod will deteriorate and lose its sealing capabilities more quickly than one that comes in contact with smooth, clean chromed rod.

The chrome surface also allows for the proper amount of lubrication over time, reducing the possibility of seal leaks and extending shock life.

What about the competition?

Many competitors use raw steel rods or rods with a corrosion inhibitor. Either of these may still rust – sometimes even while the parts are in their boxes. They are also more susceptible to moisture build up and “lot rot,” which results when a vehicle is parked for an extended period of time; especially in humid climates.

The proof is in the piston rod.

Gabriel engineering team has vigorously tested three types of rods using the ASTM B-117 Salt Spray Test – an industry standard when developing shocks for new vehicles. At the end of 96 hours, their chrome-plated rod retained its smooth chromed finish, while competitors’ piston rods were oxidized to the point that they no longer functioned.*

Quality. Performance. Durability.

Chrome plating their piston rods ensures that every Gabriel shock and strut you purchase is of the highest quality and provides superior performance and long-lasting durability. It’s the right thing to do, and the kind of high standards you would expect from the company that created the first automotive shock absorber in 1907 – the Original Gabriel.

Adjusting Piston Valve Assembly

Gabriel’s O-Ring piston seal adjusts as it wears to maintain a tight seal between the piston and pressure tube. This minimizes leak paths for a longer product life.

Oil Seal with Dirt Wiper

Gabriel integrates a dirt wiper above the oil seal to help keep road debris and grit from getting inside the seal and the shock for longer product life.

Pressure Tube – Smoothed Seam

Gabriel’s metal forged D.O.M. (Drawn Over Mandrel) process removes weld seam imperfections from the tube surface. This smoother surface reduces friction and leads to longer product life.

G-Force™ Technology

The evolution of comfort and control.

Most advanced shock absorber technology provides the ultimate in safety and performance, with unbeatable handling and response. Whether you use your vehicle for the daily commute or cross country trips, Gabriel’s award-winning, cutting-edge G-Force™ Technology always gives you the perfect combination of safety and performance. Whether you use your light vehicle for your daily commute or cross country trips, award-winning, cutting-edge G-Force™ Technology provides you with the perfect combination of safety and performance.

Advanced technology for today’s advanced suspensions.

G-Force is the culmination of years of testing and product development efforts. Exclusively designed to deliver the perfect combination of safety and performance that you’ll only find in line of Gabriel® Ultra™ shocks and struts, and ReadyMount® struts; it’s shock absorber technology that other manufacturers simply can’t replicate. In fact, it’s so unique that Gabriel was awarded the 2004 Editor’s Choice Award from Popular Mechanics for New Product Design and Innovation.

But that shouldn’t be a surprise. Built a well-earned reputation for innovation by continuously reinventing shock absorber design and technology. It’s the only way they can continue to exceed the expectations of customers and continue to “ride the independent spirit” for another 100 years.

For the ultimate in safety, control, and performance – there’s nothing like Gabriel’s G-Force™ Technology.

High-Pressure Nitrogen Gas:

Quicker response with reduced fade

StableSteer™ Valving:

Improves tire contact with the road for safety and control

D.O.M. Tubing:

Reduces internal wear for longer product life

Infinitely Variable Damping:

Superior on-demand control for all road conditions

Single-Lip Oil Seal:

OE-designed single-lip oil seal minimizes friction for optimal comfort and performance

Super-Finished Chromed Piston Rod:

Provides superior corrosion resistance, performance and product life

Leak-Proof Piston Seal:

Self-compensates for wear, extending product life

Orifice Control Disk:

Consistent control for comfort and stability

Sintered Iron Piston:

Durability and maximum shock performance

Heavy-Duty Compression Head:

Reliable performance under extreme conditions

100% Fit- and Ride-Tested

All products are backed by more than 100 years of innovation, engineering expertise and continuous improvement in ride control products. They go to great lengths to ensure all new light vehicle shock and strut designs are extensively tested for proper fit, ride, and durability to provide you with the highest quality, long-lasting performance, and smoothest installations

Going the extra mile to exceed expectations for quality and reliability.

When it comes to quality and reliability, Gabriel® has always been ahead of the pack. And to make sure stay there, they go to great lengths to ensure new shock and strut designs are specifically fine-tuned to meet the needs of today’s vehicles and their drivers.

At Gabriel, products are backed by more than 100 years of innovation, engineering expertise and continuous improvement in ride control products. So understand the critical importance of careful design and thorough testing. It’s why they engineer, test, and validate new light vehicle shock and strut designs for proper fit, ride and durability – to ensure you get the same easy installation, high quality and long-lasting performance with every new Gabriel product.

Precision Engineered

Each new Gabriel shock or strut is engineered to very strict tolerances based on Michigan-based engineers’ in-depth knowledge of the OE part it’s designed to replace, the vehicle it’s designed for and the performance requirements of the assembly. Then it’s extensively tested for durability and performance in labs. Tests include: Spring Rate Testing, Durometer Testing, Limit Loading Tests, and Bearing Testing.

Fit-Tested

Gabriel Answerman Techs Fit-test each new shock and strut design on the very same light vehicle application for which it was created; verifying first-hand that the design fits properly and can be easily installed. This ensures that each new Gabriel product is free from fit issues, which means a faster, smoother installation and fewer returns.

Ride-Tested

Gabriel Answerman Techs Ride-test each new light vehicle shock and strut design on actual U.S. roads to ensure real-world performance and to verify that each design meets high standards for quality. This also ensures that the design is tuned to meet the specific performance requirements of your U.S. vehicle application and breathes new life into your suspension by providing OE (or better) performance.

Not all manufacturers go to these lengths to ensure their products are properly engineered for durability, performance and ease of installation. But believe it’s the right thing to do and exactly what you’d expect from the company that created the first automotive shock absorber in 1907 – the Original Gabriel.

Good - Better - Best

What do you look for in a shock or strut?

Not sure which shock or strut is right for you? Which is the right fit for your needs? No matter how you ride your vehicle – on the road or off – Gabriel® offers a wide variety of shocks and struts that are precision engineered and ride-tuned to meet the growing demands of today’s drivers, like you.

Gabriel is also the only full-line ride control manufacturer to offer super-finished chromed piston rods on every shock and strut make—not just the premium ones. It’s how they ensure you get superior corrosion protection, enhanced sealing properties, and longer-lasting product life with every shock and strut you purchase from the Original Gabriel.

Gabriel® Guardian™ Shocks

Guardian™ shocks are engineered to deliver high-quality comfort, performance and control, all at a value price. They’re designed to restore that new car-like feel for today’s light vehicles, whether you’re traveling across town or across the country.

Gabriel® ProGuard™ Shocks

If you’re looking for a step-up in performance for your truck, van or SUV, there’s no better choice than Gabriel® ProGuards™. They’re designed for control and comfort with large-bore diameters, application-tuned valving and greater oil volume to dissipate heat buildup under challenging driving conditions. That means greater durability, better performance and increased safety when the going gets tough.

Ultra™ Shocks and Struts

Ultra™ shocks and struts are designed for the person who demands nothing less than superior performance, comfort, handling and safety from their vehicle. Utilizing advanced technologies like StableSteer™ Valving and Gabriel’s exclusive G-Force™ Technology, Ultra shocks and struts provide increased tire contact and traction, which means greater control and safety for you and your passengers. So, if you’re hauling heavy cargo in your truck or require exceptional control in turns and uneven ground in your car, Gabriel UItra shocks and struts always deliver.

Gabriel® MaxControl™ Monotube Shocks

Whether you use your truck, van or SUV for work, off-road fun or cross-country family vacations, MaxControl™ shocks deliver the ultimate performance you need with the comfortable, refined ride you want. Engineered with advanced monotube technology and rod guide-bearing system, MaxControl shocks deliver industry-leading response to road imperfections and rough terrain, keeping your tires safely on the ground, where they belong.