Difference Between a strut and a shock?

chrisp2281

Hi there

Is there any difference between a Strut and a Shock or are they the same thing?

Thanks

Anan1

I'm no mechanic, but my understanding was that a strut incorporated both spring and shock absorber.

biko

Today is Strut day

VH

shock = spring + damper

strut and damper are the same thing

chrisp2281

VH wrote: »

shock = spring + damper

strut and damper are the same thing

Thanks for this. So if you get your shcoks done, then you automatically get the strut done?

chrisp2281

biko wrote: »

Today is Strut day

That's a great help. Thanks

VH

chrisp2281 wrote: »

Thanks for this. So if you get your shcoks done, then you automatically get the strut done?

getting shocks done can mean the whole shock (spring + damper) or just the damper - springs can be worn out and dampers can be leaking - they are filled usually with nitrogen though some have liquids

technically the word strut shouldnt be used to describe a damper as some cars have seperate actual struts in the suspension

ART6

A McPherson strut is not the same thing as a damper or shock absorber. The latter is simply a component of the former, so getting the "shocks done" doesn't involve replacement of the strut since that is part of the suspension, steering, and wheel mounting, and is a major component.

brundle

VH wrote: »

shock = spring + damper

strut and damper are the same thing

That is wrong.

Shock is oil or gas filled component to damp down the action of the springs to prevent car bouncing continuously. Also called damper for above reason. It has no spring function in itself so a seperate "spring" is required to maintain car ride height.

Strut generally refers to the whole suspension upright, incorporating the shock, spring and top mount

peasant

Anybody got any crayons?

We could colour in the different bits and name them ...:D

peasant

or we could let someone else name them instead:



so in this picture, the "strut" would be the assembly on the left, correct?

Sandwich

Not sure if the word strut has aquired a specialised meaning to those in the motor maintenance world.

But in general mechanics, a strut is a rigid body generally used to resist a compressive force. Its not a damper, or a spring, or a shock absorber. But as in the exploded drawing above there are probably one or more struts as part of a suspension assembly.

-Chris-

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-suspension3.htm

VH

ART6 wrote: »

A McPherson strut is not the same thing as a damper or shock absorber.

Correct - and lots of cars dont have McPherson struts

VH

brundle wrote: »

That is wrong.

Shock is oil or gas filled component to damp down the action of the springs to prevent car bouncing continuously. Also called damper for above reason. It has no spring function in itself so a seperate "spring" is required to maintain car ride height.

Strut generally refers to the whole suspension upright, incorporating the shock, spring and top mount

ok - i should have applied asterixes - "getting the shocks done" can mean a number of things

crosstownk

As far as I'm concerned - the 'shock absorber' is the complete spring/damper set up.

Both the spring and the damper absorb shocks.

Initially, the spring takes the brunt and the damper limits the oscillations of the spring. They work together.

However, common 'jargon speak' usually infers that a 'shock' or 'shock absorber' is the damper. So if you wheel in to a garage/repairer and ask for new shocks, it will be assumed that you want new dampers.

EDIT: A strut is a type of shock absorber set-up; the most common being the McPherson strut (as illustrated above) but there are many different types - most of which are shock absorbers - even the odd hydro-pneumatic one

kluivert

My car's suspension IMO is gone, well the springs anyway.

I want to replace all four shock absorbers and springs with an up rated sports set up.

Is it worth replacing the Strut Mounts at the same time.

I have been told to test the bearing in the strut mounts, turn the car full lock while driving and if the steering doesnt return to centre then bearing is gone. Is this right because this happens on my car.

I am also experience negative cam as the inside of the front wheels are slick now.

1999 Opel Astra with 124k miles.

chrisp2281

AudiChris wrote: »

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-suspension3.htm

if my car is rocking (swaying) would I more likely need the sway bar replaced? Any idea on price?