What is the differance between Shocks & Struts?

[Red]

I need to know all the difference's between shocks and struts.... What makes one better then the other... The best thing would be a web site's where I can read about them.

[AceInHole]

Originally posted by Red
I need to know all the difference's between shocks and struts.... What makes one better then the other... The best thing would be a web site's where I can read about them.
One isn't necessarily better than the other. Both are dampeners. A strut happens to be a shock that makes up part of the suspension linkage, that's all. It usually replaces the job that the upper tie rod does.

[adey]

FWIW, our 240sxs have Struts up front, and Shocks out back. Uhhh... yeah.

[AKADriver]

here's a post I made last week:


A "strut" in an automotive suspension is a vertical link that supports and locates the spindle or upright, and out of necessity of being vertical (in the direction of suspension motion) always includes the damper and usually includes the spring perch. This means that a strut mounts SOLIDLY to the spindle/upright at the bottom.

The 240SX front suspension is a standard McPherson strut type suspension, with the exception of the tension rods, which are a nice addition, when they work.

The 240SX rear suspension is a multi-link design that does not incorporate struts. The dampers are mounted via a bushing to the uprights, they do not serve to locate and support the uprights, and therefore are not struts. The damper assemblies DO include the spring perches, which leads most people to incorrectly call them struts, and most people know what you're talking about if you say "rear struts" to refer to the rear damper assemblies.

Also note my use of the word "damper" instead of "shock absorber". "Shock absorber" is an unfortunate misnomer. The springs absorb shocks, the dampers serve to damp the motion of the springs (hence "dampers").

[Halz]

Bicycles have shocks.
Cars have struts.

Defined...
a 'shock' is - "A shock absorber."

a 'strut' is - "Any part of a machine or structure, of which the principal function is to hold things apart; a brace subjected to compressive stress; -- the opposite of stay, and tie."