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When you pull into our service bay and tell us that your car is feeling a bit bouncy or that you heard a loud thud over a speed bump, the conversation usually turns to your suspension. Almost immediately, we see a look of confusion when we mention shocks or struts. Most people think they are the exact same thing, but they are actually two distinct ways of solving the same problem. Some vehicles have four shocks, some have four struts, and a huge number of modern cars actually use a combination of both.
At our shop, we believe that knowing what is under your car helps you take better care of it. You do not need to be a certified master technician to identify your suspension type. With a flashlight and a quick peek behind your front and rear wheels, you can solve the mystery yourself. Here is our guide on how to tell what your vehicle is using to keep the rubber on the road.
The Visual Identification Test
The easiest way to tell the difference is by looking at the shape and how the part is mounted. If you turn your front wheels all the way to one side and look into the wheel well, you are looking for one of two things.
A shock absorber looks like a long, slender cylinder or a telescope. It is usually bolted to the frame at the top and the suspension arm at the bottom. It stands alone, meaning the large coil spring that supports the car is sitting somewhere else nearby, usually on its own perch. Shocks are simple, effective, and very common on the rear of trucks and older SUVs.
A strut is much beefier. It is a large, structural unit that actually has the coil spring wrapped around it. The spring and the dampening unit are one single assembly. If you see a giant metal spring coiled around the middle of the cylinder, you are looking at a strut. Because the strut is a structural part of the steering, it is almost always what you will find on the front end of modern cars and crossovers.
Common Configurations We See in the Shop
Every manufacturer has a different philosophy on ride quality and handling, but most vehicles fall into a few predictable patterns.
Front Struts and Rear Shocks: This is the most common setup for drivers like sedans, minivans, and small SUVs. The struts in the front handle the steering and weight of the engine, while the simple shocks in the back manage the trunk load and provide a smoother ride.
Four-Wheel Struts: Many high-performance cars and modern independent-suspension vehicles use struts at all four corners. This provides very precise handling but can be more expensive when it comes time for a full suspension overhaul.
Four-Wheel Shocks: You will typically find this on heavy-duty trucks and body-on-frame SUVs. These vehicles often use a different type of front suspension, like a double-wishbone setup, where a standalone shock is tucked inside or next to the spring.
Why the Difference Matters for Your Wallet
Knowing which one you have is important because the repair process is quite different for each. Replacing a shock is generally a straightforward task. Since it is not holding the car up, we can usually swap it out relatively quickly without disturbing the rest of the vehicle.
Replacing a strut is a bigger job. Since the strut is a structural member, removing it means the entire corner of the suspension comes apart. Because the spring is under thousands of pounds of pressure, we have to use specialized equipment to safely disassemble the unit. Furthermore, because struts dictate the angle of your wheels, you will almost always need a professional alignment after a strut replacement to prevent your tires from wearing out in a few hundred miles.
How to Tell if They Are Worn Out
Regardless of whether you have shocks or struts, the warning signs of failure are the same. These parts are filled with oil and have internal valving that eventually gets tired. If you see oily grime leaking down the side of the metal cylinder, that is a dead giveaway that the internal seal has popped.
You can also try the classic bounce test. Go to one corner of your car and push down hard on the bumper. If the car pops back up and stops, your suspension is doing its job. If it continues to bob up and down like a boat on the water, your dampening is gone. You might also notice that your car dives forward when you hit the brakes or feels unstable when you are driving in a crosswind on the highway.
Let Us Take a Look Under the Hood
Suspension issues can be sneaky. Sometimes a car feels fine on smooth pavement but becomes a handful the moment the road gets rough. If you are not sure what you have or if you are worried that your ride has lost its factory-fresh feel, bring it by Highlands Complete Auto in Sebring, FL.
We can put your vehicle on the lift and show you exactly what kind of system you have and what condition it is in.
