[Tabby]

I'm sure Pete at GMD will pipe in here. Isn't the main reason that nitrogen is used , under pressure, is so the oil won't cavitate under extreme use? Under the right conditions, gases held in solution in the oil, can come out of solution and form bubbles. I believe that is a simple definition for cavitation. When this happens enough, damper valving is just moving through what amounts to foam, and doesn't "damp" worth a damn. The pressure on the oil, from the nitrogen, helps keep the gases in solution. If some cavitation does occur, sufficient pressure should force the gases back into solution. I don't believe that the nitrogen is used as a spring. I think that is just a fringe benefit.