When you drive on rough roads or over speed bumps and potholes, there are two integral components of your vehicle that play a huge part in keeping your tires in contact with the road. As crucial parts of your vehicle’s suspension system, shocks and struts are responsible for that smooth feel and ride quality you experience. If your car does not maintain firm contact with the road, steering, handling, and braking can all be affected in a negative way. That is why the shocks and struts are so important. Today’s vehicles use shocks, struts, or a combination of the two. While these two terms are often discussed together, they are actually individual parts that each keeps your vehicle sturdy and safe. In this article, we are going to shed some light on the differences between shocks and struts, the duties they perform, and when to replace them.

Vital Functions of Shocks and Struts:

• Controls excessive body and tire movement
• Reduces vehicle bounce, roll, and sway
• Maintains consistent handling and braking
• Helps to keep proper wheel alignment
• Reduces the potential of premature wear on tires and suspension parts

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What Is a Shock? 

Shocks, also referred to as shock absorbers, are hydraulic components that minimize movement generated by the springs. They control the impact and rebound movement of the springs and suspension to ensure that the vehicle’s tires stay in contact with the road surface at all times. This ensures the safest control and braking response from your car or truck. They are designed to be a little stiffer than a strut, because they work with the vehicle’s ancillary suspension parts to soak up the impact from the road. As the name suggests, shock absorbers absorb energy. Without them, the wheels on your car or truck would bounce and vibrate erratically on rough roads.

There are 3 main types of shock absorbers: monotube shocks, dual shocks, and coilover shocks. The key components of the shock absorber are a piston, a coil, and hydraulic fluid. If you think about it, shock absorbers are basically oil pumps that help control the impact and rebound movement of a vehicle’s springs and suspension. When you hit a pothole and your wheel dips down, the shock initiates a compression cycle and the piston puts pressure on hydraulic fluid in the upper chamber. The fluid slows down the coil as it goes back into place to help prevent an unpleasant and super bumpy ride. Shock absorbers automatically adjust to road conditions because the faster the suspension moves, the more resistance these parts provide.

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What Is a Strut?

The strut is a common type of damper used on many modern independent suspensions, front-wheel-drive cars, and some rear-wheel-drive vehicles as well. Struts are a major structural part of a suspension system that takes the place of the upper control arm and upper ball joint used in conventional suspensions. The strategic design of a strut is lighter and smaller than shock absorbers, which is the main reason why they are often used in vehicles with compressed suspension travel.

A strut integrates a number of different suspension parts into one compact assembly. This includes the coil spring, spring seats, shock absorbers, strut bearing, and the steering knuckle. The shock absorber portion of the strut assembly is the most commonly serviced part.

Struts perform two main duties. First, they perform a damping function similar to shocks. Internally, a strut is like a shock absorber to generate resistance to forces created by the up and down motion of the suspension system. While shocks merely absorb impact, though, struts function to support and control the vehicle while it is traveling to keep ride comfort and handling at optimal levels. They also affect vehicle control mechanisms like steering, braking, wheel alignment, and the wear on other parts.

The internal shock absorber will dampen the movement of the spring as it compresses and rebounds while the vehicle is traveling. With that, it supports the weight of the vehicle in motion so that it can adapt to road irregularities. Struts connect the upper bearing to the lower ball joint so that the entire assembly can pivot when the vehicle is turned in any direction for better control.

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When to Replace Them?

Like any other moving part of your vehicle, shocks and struts are designed to wear out as time passes. Depending on the type of vehicle you have, these components can last anywhere between 30,000 and 75,000 miles. It is recommended that you have them replaced by the vehicle manufacturer and it is always a good idea to use OEM replacement parts when the time comes. If your vehicle came from the factory with shocks, then you need to replace it with the same part. If it came equipped with struts, the same reigns true. On top of that, both shocks and struts should be replaced in pairs – at least on the same axle. You should also have a professional alignment done to make sure the tires, steering, and overall suspension system is straight. It is crucial that you don’t “cut corners” when it comes to your shocks and struts.

Proper functioning of these parts is vital to the handling and cornering of your vehicle, making for a safe driving experience for all involved. Driving with worn-out shocks or struts can result in more than just a poor ride – there are safety implications to be aware of. However, recognizing when it is time to replace your shocks or struts is not always an easy task. That’s because many drivers get used to the way the car starts to drive because the changes are gradual. Worn-out shocks and struts can also accelerate the wear of your vehicle’s tires and suspension parts (i.e. ball joints, C.V. joints, steering links, and springs). 

What to Look for:

Below, we will go over the signs to look for so that you don’t wait until it’s too late to change these essential components. 

Visual signs

• Noticeable fluid leak on the exterior of the part
• Shocks and struts look dented or damaged
• Tires are showing unusual wear patterns

Vehicle Handling

• Experiencing a bumpy or shaky ride
• Having poor steering response
• Stiffness or noise when steering
• Vehicle leans to one side when turning
• Tires are bouncing excessively
• Instability at highway speeds
• Instability when trying to brake
• Front end dives more when hard braking
• Rear-end squat during hard acceleration

Mileage

• With heavy use, you could be looking to replace them at 50,000 miles or sooner
• Under normal conditions, you may be able to hold off until about 75,000 miles