Shocks and struts are two main parts that operate with each other for an in-vehicle suspension system. These parts help the suspension absorb road effects and work directly with the steering and wheels. The suspension system is the main part of the car that provides proper handling by providing high friction between the tires and the road.
With other parts of the suspension system, shocks and struts provide good working of suspension. In this post we will cover details for shocks and struts and their working. Let’s get started.
What are shocks?
- Shocks are also called shock absorbers and are the main part of the suspension system. It is used for controlling the impact and rebound motion of vehicle springs and suspension and makes a strong connection between tires and the road surface, which absorbs energy.
- If your car does not have shocks, it will bounce off the road and cause vibration on rough surfaces.
- There are different parts of a shock absorber: the piston, coil, and hydraulic fluid.
- When car wheels dip down, shock provides a compression cycle, and the piston applies pressure on the hydraulic fluid in the top chamber.
- The fluid slows the coil when it relaxes back in a certain position, and it avoids high bumps for riding.
What Are Struts?
- Struts are the main part of the suspension system. It operates for front-wheel drive vehicles but is also used for rear-wheel drive vehicles.
- The struts come with different parts as a combination of single assemblies in suspension. Those are shock absorbers and coil springs.
- The strut design is such that it makes a connection between the steering knuckle connected with the lower control arm and the ball joint, and the struts are used for the upper control arm.
- Struts reduce the movements of coil springs that are used for supporting vehicle weight and handle accurately over bumps, hills, and rough roads.
- The main parts of the struts are those that make the suspension assembly.
- Coil Spring
- Spring Seats
- Shock Absorbers
- Strut Bearing
- Steering Knuckle
Shock Absorber Working
- It is a myth that traditional shock absorbers are not compatible with vehicle weight. The main use of the shock absorber is to regulate spring and suspension motion.
- For this purpose, it converts the kinetic energy of suspension motion into thermal energy, or heat energy, that is dissipated through hydraulic fluid.
- The resistance produced by the shock absorber is based on suspension speed and the size of the small holes in the pistons.
- Currently used shock absorbers are velocity-sensitive hydraulic damping components, so high-speed motion of the suspension provides high resistance for shock absorbers.
- With these features, shock absorbers manage different road conditions and minimize bounce rate, brake dive, and acceleration squat.
- Shock absorbers operate based on fluid displacement on the compression and extension cycles.
- The normal car or truck comes with high resistance at the time of the extension cycle compared to the compression cycle.
- The compression cycle regulates the motion of the unsprung weight of the vehicle, and the extension regulates the high sprung weight.
STRUTS Working
- A strut is a damper that is used for different independent suspensions and also for front-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive vehicles.
- The strut is the main part of the suspension that occurs at the upper control arm and upper ball joint used for traditional suspension.
- Its design is such that the strut is lightweight and uses less space compared to shock absorbers for conventional suspension systems.
- There are two main functions of struts. The first one is to perform damping operations as shock absorbers do. In internal design, a strut is like a shock absorber.
- The piston is connected with the end of the piston rod and operates opposite to the hydraulic fluid for controlling the spring and suspension motion.
- Like a shock absorber, valving produces resistance through the force of up and down motion of suspension.
- Struct has sensitivity for velocity, so it is valved so resistance increases or decreases based on suspension motion.
- Struts are to provide support in the structure for vehicle suspension and also springs and tires at an accurate position.
- This component also manages side loads existing on the vehicle suspension.
Parts of Shock
- Shock absorbers are oil pumps; the piston is connected with the end of the piston rod and operated opposite to the hydraulic fluid for the pressure tube.
- When the suspension moves up and down, hydraulic fluid passes through the orifice in the piston. These orifices allow small fluid through the piston.
- It slows the piston, in turn slowing spring and suspension motion.
struts, parts
- Struts come with strut housing for strong structural support for the structure and a damping unit in the strut housing for the main spring and suspension motion.
- Mostly struts on the lower side of the body connected with the steering knuckle, which makes a connection with the lower control arm with the lower ball joint.
- The strut structure comes with components required for strut replacement in one complete assembled unit. It comes with a strut housing and a damping unit with a coil spring for supporting the weight of the vehicle.
Difference between shock absorbers and struts
- The strut is a shock absorber that is made in a single assembly with a coil spring and strut mount.
- All types of cars come with 4 struts or shocks, that is, one pair on every wheel. The latest cars and SUVs come with struts on the front suspension and shocks on the back side.
- Struts and shocks do not need maintenance, but if they are damaged or moving on rough roads then needed.
- They’re mostly repairing to replace them with new ones. The replacement of struts and shock absorbers provides good riding quality.
- The common issue for struts and shocks is leaking. Normally, struts and shock absorbers come with coils; if the unit starts leaking, it won’t be long until it stops working. A shock absorber can stop working without any leak.
- The damaged strut or shock also causes a knocking noise when driving over rough or bumpy surfaces.
- In suspension it is difficult to find the nosource;rce, other chassis components need to be checked, since different parts of the suspension produce knocking noise.
Shocks/Struts Working Life
- The working life of these components is based on different factors; if you use them on a daily basis, they will work for a short time, and if you use them after some time, they will work longer.
- The working life of them will increase if they drive for short distances and on smooth roads and also do not increase speed as racing cars do and do not carry high loads.
- Cars with baby seats: their shocks or struts work about ten years. A car working like a horse does not have struts working for more than five years.
Shocks vs. Struts
SHOCKS
- A shock absorber is a hydraulic component that reduces motion produced through springs of vehicles.
- Springs absorb jolts that are due to damaged roads. Through reducing the impact of rough roads, shocks provide good control of the vehicle and, as a result, provide smooth driving.
STRUTS
- Struts are components of a vehicle’s suspension system and steering. It comes with spring and shock absorber in a single unit.
- Struts get less space in traditional suspension systems and strong design that shock as it is weigh bearing features
DIFFERENCE
- they are important for vehicle ride and handling, but comes with different design and colloboration with suspension system.
- Shock is single component congirured in beetween suspension and frame and struts is structrual component of suspension
Why Shocks and Struts are used
They are the main components of the suspension system of vehicles. So provide comfort and safety driving and their main feature that helps to use them are as
Stable Features
- When your car is on down road in these conditions, there is a need of proper control. Struts and shocks provide stability for you vehicle and easily absorb bumps and jolts by avoiding any damage. So, provide accurate handling in case of tight turns.
Tire traction
- if your tires face uneven wear, that is due to damaged shocks and struts. through a proper smooth ride, these parts help tires to move smoothly on raod. That provides a longer working life of the tire and saves on driving
Comfortable CRUISING
- These two parts make driving smooth through reducing bumps and vibrations that make driving easy and help to cruise in comfort.
Parts of Shock
- Shock absorbers are oil pumps; the piston is connected with the end of the piston rod and operated opposite to the hydraulic fluid for the pressure tube.
- When the suspension moves up and down, hydraulic fluid passes through the orifice in the piston. These orifices allow small fluid through the piston.
- It slows the piston, in turn slowing spring and suspension motion.
struts, parts
- Struts come with strut housing for strong structural support for the structure and a damping unit in the strut housing for the main spring and suspension motion.
- Mostly struts on the lower side of the body connected with the steering knuckle, which makes a connection with the lower control arm with the lower ball joint.
- The strut structure comes with components required for strut replacement in one complete assembled unit. It comes with a strut housing and a damping unit with a coil spring for supporting the weight of the vehicle.
Difference between shock absorbers and struts
- The strut is a shock absorber that is made in a single assembly with a coil spring and strut mount.
- All types of cars come with 4 struts or shocks, that is, one pair on every wheel. The latest cars and SUVs come with struts on the front suspension and shocks on the rear side.
- Struts and shocks do not need maintenance, but if they are damaged or moving on rough roads then needed.
- They’re mostly repairing to replace them with new ones. The replacement of struts and shock absorbers provides good riding quality.
- The common issue for struts and shocks is leaking. Normally, struts and shock absorbers come with coils; if the unit starts leaking, it won’t be long until it stops working. A shock absorber can stop working without any leak.
- The damaged strut or shock also causes a knocking noise when driving over rough or bumpy surfaces.
- In suspension it is difficult to find the source; other chassis components need to be checked, since different parts of the suspension produce knocking noise.
Shocks/Struts Working Life
- The working life of these components is based on different factors; if you use them on a daily basis, they will work for a short time, and if you use them after some time, they will work longer.
- The working life of them will increase if they drive for short distances and on smooth roads and also do not increase speed as racing cars do and do not carry high loads.
- Cars with baby seats: their shocks or struts work about ten years. A car working like a horse does not have struts working for more than five years.
Shocks vs. Struts
SHOCKS
- A shock absorber is a hydraulic component that reduces motion produced through springs of vehicles.
- Springs absorb jolts that are due to damaged roads. Through reducing the impact of rough roads, shocks provide good control of the vehicle and, as a result, provide smooth driving.
STRUTS
- Struts are components of a vehicle’s suspension system and steering. It comes with a spring and shock absorber in a single unit.
- Struts get less space in traditional suspension systems and strong designs that shock as they are weight-bearing features.
DIFFERENCE
- They are important for vehicle ride and handling but come with different designs and collaborations with the suspension system.
- A shock is a single component configured in between the suspension and the frame, and a strut is a structural component of the suspension.
Why Shocks and Struts Are Used
They are the main component of the suspension system of vehicles. So provide comfort and safety while driving, and their main feature that helps to use them is as
Stable Features
- When your car is on a drowned road in these conditions, there is a need for proper control. Struts and shocks provide stability for your vehicle and easily absorb bumps and jolts, avoiding any damage. So provide accurate handling in case of tight turns.
Tire traction
- If your tires face uneven wear, that is due to damaged shocks and struts. Through a proper smooth ride, these parts help tires to move smoothly on the road. That provides a longer working life for the tire and saves driving
Comfortable CRUISING
- These two parts make driving smooth by reducing bumps and vibrations that make driving easy and help to cruise in comfort.
SAFETY
- For safety of vehicles, shocks and struts are main components; they provide steering with high accuracy with stability in difficult conditions and stop vehicles safely when needed.
Do all vehicles use shocks and struts?
- Different vehicles come with shocks on one axle and struts on the other. But not all vehicles come with struts. According to the design, the vehicle can use distinct springs and shocks instead of struts.
What are signs of bad struts?
Bouncy Ride
- The strut is not working properly if your car is bounding when strikingbumps. Follow the push test; press down on the corner of the car. If it bounces double, it means the struts are not working well.
Nose Dives due to BrakingÂ
- If the front side of the car dips down at the time of braking, the struts are not working accurately on the front suspension. It affects braking and causes high stopping distance.
Nose Up during Accelerating
- The backside of the car lowers highly during acceleration; the rear struts are not working well for accurate suspension balancing. It minimizes front wheel traction and causes bad handling.
Extra Tire Wear
- If there are cupping struts that do not keep tires plated accurately,uneven wear occurs as a result.
Steering Unstable
- If steering is seen as loose or inaccurate, causing high turns for the car, that is due to bad struts that do not maintain accurate alignment and suspension stability.
Fluid Leaks
- If there is an oil leak on the side of the strut, it is blown. If there is not hydraulic fluid, the strut does not absorb shocks, causing a rough ride.
How often should struts be replaced?
- Struts come with a working life in the range of 50,000 to 100,000 miles; that is based on vehicle weight, driving conditions, and road surface.
- Driving on rough roads or having high loads causes struts to damage. There is not a certain parameter for replacement, so if you find any wear sign, replace the struts.
What makes struts bad?
- Struts can be damaged due to wear and tear and if you are driving longer distances on rough roads. or carrying a high load causes wear or bad struts.
- if there is any damage or corrosion affecting struts
Why do shocks and struts get damaged?
Wear and Tear:
- With time and continuous use, shocks and struts can be damaged due to wear and tear.
Rough RoadÂ
- If you are driving on rough roads or uneven roads, it causes more damage for shocks and struts.
Physical Damage:
- if you face any accidents that can affect the car body and allso shocks and struts.
High Weight:
- when you carry a high weight or load that applies pressure on shocks and struts and makes them damaged
Corrosion:
- If these parts face moisture and salt, they face high corrosion that causes their quality degradation.