What is the difference between shocks and struts on a car?

Question

I've been told I need the shocks replaced on my car, but my normal mechanic said I had struts not shocks.... What is the difference?

Answer 1

Well it depends on the vehicle some vehicles have both Shocks and struts for example my 1996 Ford Exploder Eddie Bauer
Has both shocks and struts. So it is very possible they are both right.

Answer 2

Struts are generally on the front while shocks are on the rear. Struts are very similar to shocks, except they are more a part of the suspension of the car. The shocks dampen bounce and rebound. Struts do the same thing, but also help hold up the car.

Answer 3

Struts serve many purposes in todays cars. The strut is a common damper type used on many of today's independent suspension, front wheel drive vehicles as well as some rear wheel drive vehicles. A strut is a major structural part of a suspension. It takes the place of the upper control arm and upper ball joint used in conventional suspensions. Because of its design, a strut is lighter and takes up less space than the shock absorbers in conventional suspension systems. Struts perform two main jobs. First, struts perform a damping function like shock absorbers. Internally, a strut is similar to a shock absorber. A piston is attached to the end of the piston rod and works against hydraulic fluid to control spring and suspension movement. Just like shock absorbers, the valving generates resistance to forces created by the up and down motion of the suspension. Also like shock absorbers, a strut is velocity sensitive, meaning that it is valved so that the amount of resistance can increase or decrease depending on how fast the suspension moves. Struts also perform a second job. Unlike shock absorbers, struts provide structural support for the vehicle suspension, support the spring, and hold the tire in an aligned position. Additionally, they bear much of the side load placed on the vehicle's suspension. As a result, struts affect riding comfort and handling as well as vehicle control, braking, steering, wheel alignment and wear on other suspension components, including tires. Different car makers have differnet types of suspension for differnet types of cars. It all depends on the type of car or truck and how the manufacturer wants the vechile to handle and the type of ride comfort they are looking for. Hope this helps

Answer 4

You never mentioned what kind of car you own. But, struts are a direct replacement for the upper control arms usually on a FWD(front wheel drive) vehicle. It is a part of your front end. Shocks just bolt into the lower control arm and into the top of the upper control arm., and they work as what they are called, They absorb shocks in the car when you hit bumps or cracks in the road. There are less moving parts with struts ,but they are more costly and more expensive to replace.
hope this helps........good luck

Answer 5

a strut is a whole assembly with a shock and a spring a shock is just the shock

Answer 6

Struts provide structural support for the car and shocks don't.
Shocks are found mainly on Trucks, SUV's and vans.

Answer 7

if your car is front wheel drive you have struts. if your car is rear wheel drive or older you probley have shocks. struts have the coil sping around the and are harder to change than shocks.