What does the shock absorber do behind the front bumper. Its on my 01 SH. I was wondering if I could take this out for weight reduction, or is it there for handling purposes? Thanks

 

I took the one out of my car. The rubber bushings were torn in it anyway so it was kinda pointless to leave it in.

 

do you know what it is there for though?

 

if your talking about the foam pad thats the shock absorber and that dose exectly what it sounds like. plus it also helps the way the bumper fits on the car. if you mean the bumper support (the rail the foam and bumper sit on) that dose exectly what it sounds like. remove it and your bumper will slightly sag down. some cars you dont notice so much others you do. but both serve a very good purpose SAFETY. take it out if you want personaly id rather belive when some one pulls out in front of me insted of 10 lbs lighter

 

be alive**

 

I am thinking he is talking about that metal tube that sits on top of the bumper support. Honda calls it a "harmonic damper" or something like that. I believe the purpose of it is to dampen engine vibrations, but if the bushings inside it were degraded like they were in mine, it is just dead weight.