Shocks and Struts: What They Do and Why They Are Essential

Potholes and uneven pavement are a constant occurrence in everyday life, and it can be a hassle trying to avoid bad roads and bumpy rides constantly, which is why we utilize our shocks and struts in our cars. Shocks and struts are essential in what they do to ensure safety and care for a vehicle and its driver.



Shocks

The shocks, also called shock absorbers, can be singled out by the spring that wraps around the piston. You can find shocks located on a car's front and rear axles.

What They Do

The shock absorbers on a car have two core functions: keeping the tires on the road as much as possible and limiting unnecessary movement from any tire bouncing. The shocks supply a constant amount of pressure onto the wheels. When a vehicle runs over a dip in the road, such as a pothole, the shocks will push the wheels downward to counteract the sudden irregular force and maintain the vehicle's stability.

The Importance of Shocks

The shocks help the vehicle maintain its speed and steadiness while on the road. Without them, your car would wobble and veer off course from the direction you are going. Shock absorbers help us maintain control of our vehicle while driving by keeping the wheels from moving wildly.

Struts

The suspension system within a car is located around the wheels and includes struts. These essential components connect the wheel to the rest of the vehicle and are commonly attached to the front wheels, so shock and strut replacement are critical to keep in mind.

What They Do

Cars have multiple parts that make them heavy objects, and the wheels cannot support this weight alone. The struts sustain this weight with numerous features, with the coil spring and shock absorbers as the key components. The struts keep the vehicle at a necessary height while also keeping it stable.

The Importance of Struts

Without struts, the vehicle would not have sustainability, and the parts underneath the car would be under too much pressure and eventually break. Since roads aren't always even, a vehicle constantly shifts its weight to adjust to the road. The struts ensure the wheels will handle the shift in pressure while maintaining movement.

How They Differ

The main difference between shocks and struts lies in the fact that shocks are a standalone piece of a car, while struts act as an area within a suspension system that includes shocks. Shocks and struts are essential in what they do because both parts ensure a steady ride while driving, but the struts do more for the car in terms of crucial functions.

Struts and shocks are essential to any vehicle. These components of the suspension system work continuously to keep your wheels stable, so it is always a good idea to keep them well-maintained.