THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SHOCK ABSORBERS AND STRUTS

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The smooth feel of the vehicle is due in large part to two integral components: shock absorbers and struts.

However, while both shocks and struts are integral to the safety and comfort of the vehicle, they are in fact two distinct parts

What Are Shocks?

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As far as shocks, also referred to as the shock absorbers, are a key component of the suspension system. They control the impact and rebound movement of your vehicle’s springs and suspension, they ensure that the vehicle’s tires remain in contact with the road surface at all times .ultimately, they absorb energy. Without shocks, the wheels on the car or truck will actually bounce off of the road surface, and vibrate erratically down rough roads.

The key components of the shock absorber are a piston, a coil, and hydraulic fluid. When the car wheel dips down, for example into a pothole or crevice, the shock initiates a compression cycle, and a piston exerts pressure on hydraulic fluid in the upper chamber of the device. The fluid serves to slow down the coil as it relaxes back into place, and this helps prevent an excessively bumpy feel to the ride.

What Are Struts?

A Strut. Note the spring perch that holds the vehicle's coil spring, making the strut an integral part of the vehicle's suspension.
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Struts are the structural part of the suspension system and they are used on the front end of nearly every front-wheel –drive vehicle. A strut integrates numerous different suspension parts into one compact assembly. The latter include:

• The Coil Spring​
• The Spring Seats​
• The Shock Absorbers​
• The Strut Bearing​
• The Steering Knuckle​

The shock absorber portion of the strut is the most commonly serviced part of the strut assembly.

The coil spring can support the weight of the vehicle and adjust to road irregularities like bumps, hills and valleys. Specifically, the struts connect the upper bearing to the lower ball joint so that the entire assembly can pivot when the vehicle is turned in any direction. Struts serve multiple purpose : the internal shock absorber will dampen the movement of the spring as it compresses and rebounds itself while the vehicle is travelling and with its spring it will support the weight of the vehicle while it is moving so that it can adapt to road irregularities In sum, while the shocks simply absorb impact, the struts also function to support and control the vehicle in motion.

A shock and a strut do the same basic job on a vehicle, damping the movement of the spring and stopping oscillation and bounce. Even though they do the same thing, shocks and struts are completely different parts. A shock cannot be used to replace a strut and a strut cannot be used to replace a shock. A vehicle will have either a shock or a strut at each wheel, never both. Every vehicle was designed with either shocks or struts and your vehicle's suspension cannot be changed to use the other.

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