Why are our front shocks called struts?
Why are our front shocks called struts? I installed my SLP Bilsteins last weekend and I now wonder why they are called struts in the front. I always thought that struts were a structural part of the front suspension that took the place of the upper control arms.
Our cars have upper control arms and the only difference between our shocks and regular ones is that they have springs mounted to them.
I call what we have up front coil-over shocks, not struts. What do you guys think?
Steve
[ February 15, 2002: Message edited by: schultzsj ]</p>
Our cars have upper control arms and the only difference between our shocks and regular ones is that they have springs mounted to them.
I call what we have up front coil-over shocks, not struts. What do you guys think?
Steve
[ February 15, 2002: Message edited by: schultzsj ]</p>
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Re: Why are our front shocks called struts? Strut is the correct term. Coil-overs are self contained, the spring does not contact the vehicle body as with a strut which supports the spring only at one end.
Re: Why are our front shocks called struts? [quote]Originally posted by schultzsj:
<strong>... I always thought that struts were a structural part of the front suspension that took the place of the upper control arms...
Steve</strong><hr></blockquote>
Isn't that considered a "MacPhereson strut?"
<strong>... I always thought that struts were a structural part of the front suspension that took the place of the upper control arms...
Steve</strong><hr></blockquote>
Isn't that considered a "MacPhereson strut?"
Re: Why are our front shocks called struts? [quote]Originally posted by spiesscj:
<strong>Strut is the correct term. Coil-overs are self contained, the spring does not contact the vehicle body as with a strut which supports the spring only at one end.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Our front shocks and springs are somewhat self contained in that they are installed and removed as a unit. In our case though, the shock and the spring are both attached together to a mount that is then attached to the body - is this fine distinction enough to still call them struts?
Steve
<strong>Strut is the correct term. Coil-overs are self contained, the spring does not contact the vehicle body as with a strut which supports the spring only at one end.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Our front shocks and springs are somewhat self contained in that they are installed and removed as a unit. In our case though, the shock and the spring are both attached together to a mount that is then attached to the body - is this fine distinction enough to still call them struts?
Steve
