Collection:Shock Absorber Side-Load Adapters

Side-load adapters fit on the piston rod of a pneumatic shock absorber and absorb lateral impact components, so the rod sees only axial force. They let a moving mass approach the absorber off-axis without overloading the rod bearing.

A bare piston rod is a guided shaft running on a slide bearing inside the absorber body. Even small lateral loads at the tip create a large bending moment at the bearing and cause premature wear or rod scoring. The adapter is a pivoting head with its own external bearing that catches the lateral force before it reaches the rod.

Side-load adapters are needed wherever the impacting object swings on an arc, runs on inclined or curved guides, or approaches the absorber at an angle. The adapter replaces any impact head, so adapter and impact head are not fitted together on the same absorber.