Shock vs. Strut: Understanding Your Vehicle’s Suspension at Newhub

Ever feel like your car’s bouncing more than usual? Or maybe it’s leaning heavily into turns, making you feel less than confident behind the wheel? Your suspension is probably trying to tell you something! And two key players in that system are shocks and struts. While often used interchangeably, they’re actually quite different. At Newhub, we believe informed customers are the best customers. Let’s dive into the shock vs. strut debate and help you understand which component might be affecting your ride comfort and safety.

What Exactly *Is* Suspension, Anyway?

Before we get into the specifics of shocks and struts, let’s quickly recap what your suspension system does. Its primary job is to maximize friction between your tires and the road surface. This means absorbing bumps, controlling body roll (leaning in turns), and keeping your tires planted firmly on the ground for optimal braking and handling. Without a properly functioning suspension, your ride would be incredibly uncomfortable, unsafe, and you’d wear out your tires much faster. Shocks and struts are crucial components in achieving all of these goals.

Shocks: The Dampening Experts

Think of shocks as hydraulic dampers. They’re designed to control the spring’s oscillations. When your car hits a bump, the springs compress and then rebound. Without shocks, that rebound would continue indefinitely, creating a bouncy, uncontrolled ride. Shocks resist this motion by forcing fluid through small orifices, converting kinetic energy into heat. This heat is then dissipated, preventing excessive bouncing and maintaining a smoother ride.

Key things to know about shocks:

• Purpose: Primarily designed to dampen spring oscillations.
• Function: Controls the rate at which the suspension rebounds.
• Location: Usually mounted separately from the spring and other suspension components.
• Structure: Simpler design compared to struts.
• Load-Bearing: Not typically a load-bearing component.

Struts: Suspension Support Systems

Struts are more complex than shocks. They combine the functions of a shock absorber with structural support for the vehicle’s suspension. Essentially, a strut is a shock absorber encased within a coil spring and integrated into the steering system. This means the strut bears a significant portion of the vehicle’s weight and plays a vital role in maintaining proper wheel alignment.

Key things to know about struts:

• Purpose: Combines shock absorption with structural support and suspension geometry.
• Function: Damps spring oscillations, supports vehicle weight, and locates the wheel assembly.
• Location: Directly connected to the steering knuckle and integrated into the suspension system.
• Structure: More complex design including a shock absorber, coil spring, and mounting hardware.
• Load-Bearing: A critical load-bearing component of the suspension.

Shock vs. Strut: Identifying the Differences

Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison to highlight the key differences:

Feature	Shock	Strut
Primary Function	Dampening	Dampening and Structural Support
Load-Bearing	No	Yes
Complexity	Simpler	More Complex
Impact on Alignment	Minimal	Significant

How to Tell if You Have a Suspension Problem

Whether you have shocks or struts, signs of a failing suspension are similar. Keep an eye out for these symptoms:

• Excessive Bouncing: After hitting a bump, your car bounces several times.
• Nose Diving: The front of your car dips dramatically when braking.
• Body Roll: Excessive leaning during turns.
• Uneven Tire Wear: One tire is wearing out faster than the others.
• Leaking Fluid: Visible fluid around the shock or strut.
• Clunking Noises: Unusual sounds coming from the suspension when driving over bumps.
• Vibrations While Driving: Especially noticeable at higher speeds.

When to Replace Shocks and Struts

There’s no hard and fast rule, but generally, shocks and struts should be inspected regularly, especially after 50,000 miles. Many manufacturers recommend replacement around 75,000 to 100,000 miles. However, driving conditions, road quality, and your driving habits can all affect their lifespan. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, it’s time to schedule a suspension inspection at Newhub.

Newhub: Your Suspension Experts

Understanding the difference between shocks and struts is just the first step in maintaining a smooth and safe ride. At Newhub, our experienced technicians can diagnose any suspension issues you might be experiencing and recommend the best solution for your vehicle. We use only high-quality parts and provide expert installation to ensure your suspension is performing optimally. Don’t wait until your suspension completely fails – schedule your inspection today and experience the Newhub difference!
We’re dedicated to keeping you safe and comfortable on the road.