Can someone explain shocks and struts and what they do? Are they related or one in the same?

I would have used the search function but it doesn't seem to be functioning too well.

Thanks!

 

Shocks and struts are similar but not identical. "Strut" is short for MacPherson strut, named for its inventor, Earl S. MacPherson (a Ford engineer). A strut combines a shock absorber and a component of the suspension. This design is lighter and less expensive than some more sophisticated suspension designs which use upper and lower control arms or a multi-link apparatus.

Shock absorber is a misnomer because it does not really absorb physical shocks. The springs do that. The shock absorber prevents the spring from oscillating after the spring absorbs the shock of a bump in the road.

One way to appreciate the difference between a shock and a strut is this. You could remove the shock absorbers from a car and still drive it. You wouldn't want to, but you could. However, if you removed the struts from a car you couldn't drive it. The struts are part of what connects the wheels to the body of the car.

For more information about shocks and struts, see:
http://www.beechand.com/beechand/Shock_Absorbers.htm
http://www.walker-eu.com/monroe/M5_1_2.htm

For a long but interesting and well illustrated article about different suspension designs (including struts) see:
http://www.fortunecity.com/silversto...uspension1.htm

 

wow daniel b. martin, is that your own definition of shocks and struts or did you copy that from the dictionary. just kidding, that was an nice explanation. you sound like a genieus. tell me this, do you believe in cutting oem struts to insert koni's cartridges? do you think that this is a sound engineered design?

 

I've never installed Konis. I've read about doing it at http://www.bol.ucla.edu/%7Ecchiu1/how2.html. I must admit feeling queasy about cutting the factory strut tube. Given a choice I would prefer a factory-made replacement strut.

 

Daniel-
Tks for the informative advice on struts/springs. I'm looking to upgrade from my stock suspension. With a 'quiet, smooth' ride in mind, would you go with H&R springs/Tokico struts or would you suggest another combo??
Thanks in Advance!! AnGe

 

I have no experience with non-stock suspension and cannot advise you on these mods. For a quiet and smooth ride I'd stay with factory equipment. The aftermarket units claim all sorts of advantages but quiet and smooth are not among them.