2006-07-17 06:46:13 · 4 answers · asked by zazas 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shock_absorber
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McPherson_strut
should answer your question
2006-07-17 06:54:43 · answer #1 · answered by Comfortably Numb™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A shock absorber is a hydraulic cartridge that dampens the bouncing motion of the vehicle. Each "bounce" is progressively smaller until the bouncing stops. Without it, your car or truck would wallow about crazily, and it would be hard to keep the wheels on the ground on bumpy pavement.
A "strut" (or MacPherson strut) is a combination of the support spring (usually a coil spring) and inside the coil, the shock absorbing unit. The entire unit bolts to the axle housing and the vehicle, simplifying suspension construction. It's common on newer, unibody cars.
2006-07-17 06:52:51 · answer #2 · answered by Vinny 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a shock absorber is only the hydraulic/pnuematic shock..and usually used with leaf spring suspension. the strut is the shock with a spring coil around it. this is used in independant suspension systems (no leaf spring)
2006-07-17 06:52:34 · answer #3 · answered by Ryan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shocks are just the hydraulic damper.
Struts take the place of the damper, coil spring, upper ball joint, and upper control arm. This is why they are so much more expensive than shocks.
2006-07-17 07:22:03 · answer #4 · answered by Harry 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋