Potholes can be quite annoying and dangerous at some times. Thankfully, the vehicle’s suspension system can save you from most bumps and potholes. This suspension system of your vehicle is different in every vehicle and includes both or either one of these two parts- Shocks and Sturts.
Today, we will help you understand how they are different and should not be used interchangeably.
We will cover-
Meaning of Shocks
Meaning of Struts
Difference Between Shocks and Struts
How to Inspect your Vehicle for Shocks and Struts
Where to Buy Shocks and Struts that Fits your Vehicle
What Are Struts on a Car?
Struts are a more structural part of the suspension system that protects the vehicle from bumps and gives better control over the steering. This part of the system is more advanced and can heavily affect the alignment angle. You will mostly find the struts in the front wheels of the vehicle.
There are two different roles of the struts. First, it provides the suspension to the vehicle similar to the shocks. Second, it controls the overall weight of the vehicle to give better stability on the road.
The important here is that struts can be placed on both axels to give more control of the vehicle to the rider.
What Are Shocks on a Car?
Shocks (also known as Shock absorbers) are installed in a vehicle to minimize the impact of spring’s movement on the car. When a vehicle goes through a pothole or on an unbalanced road, it triggers the suspension movement to balance the car. However, this movement can affect the rider’s experience and thus shock absorbs the complete movement.
It is important to understand that the shocks have a limited function and are only to absorb shocks. The other benefit of having shock absorbers is you can have better control of the vehicle and drive it smoothly.
Difference Between Shocks and Struts
Here are some differences between shock absorbers and struts that will help you differentiate between them better.
Placement
The most common difference between the shocks and struts is the position. In most cases, you will find that the struts are placed on the front axel while the shocks are usually on the rear axel. It is because the front axel supports the vehicle and gives it control.
Price
You will find that the struts are way more expensive than shocks. The reason behind it is the added material in the struts. However, the final cost depends on the brand and the vehicle you are using.
Features
The major difference between a shock and a strut is the way they contribute to the suspension system of a vehicle. The shocks only control the spring and suspension movement. However, struts are more useful as they control the body weight of the vehicle and provide more stability to the steering.
It also prevents the premature damaging of tires and increases tire life at the same time.
Structure
The structure of shocks and struts is quite different. While the shocks are like oil pumps, Struts have a more complex structure that includes coil springs, shock absorbers, and the steering knuckle.
How to Inspect your Vehicle for Shocks and Struts
Today, car owners have the freedom to choose whether they want a combination of shocks & struts or want to upgrade the vehicle with struts sets. However, if you do not want to go through all the trouble and simply want to replace your vehicle parts, it is important to inspect your vehicle.
With a simple inspection, you can find out if your vehicle has shocks, struts, or both.
To find out, you need to look underneath your vehicle and see what type of suspension system it has. It is important to check both the front and rear axels of your vehicle.
Start by checking the front axel. If there is a spring-type (or oil pump) component, it is a shock absorber. The shock absorber will always be placed vertically like a spring. On the other hand, struts are placed horizontally and look like a wheel extension.
Another way to distinguish between the two is by the structure. A shock absorber will always be a simple component while the struts are complex and heavier.
Tip- In most cases, you will find that the front axel is fitted with struts while the rear axel is fitted with the shock absorbers.
Where to Buy Shocks and Struts that Fits your Vehicle
After going through the differences between shocks and struts, you must have realized that they can not be used interchangeably (without modifications). That is why you must do some research before buying shocks or struts for your vehicle.
If you do not want to perform an inspection of your vehicle, we recommend you follow the smart way to find the right suspension system.
All you need is to choose your vehicle’s manufacturer and select the model that you have. After that, filter for the suspension system and you will get all the shocks and struts that fit your vehicle. In the product description, you can check if you can use them on both the axels or not.
This way, you can avoid ordering the wrong parts for your vehicle and save a lot on delivery charges.
Another great thing about buying from SuncentAuto is you can get high-quality products at an affordable price. It means you won’t need to worry about delivery charges in any part of the United States.
So, check out the shocks and struts on the website and order one for your vehicle right away.
