Spring Maintenance: Struts, Shocks and Suspension

Understanding Struts – The Backbone of Your Vehicle’s Suspension System

At Flash Auto, a Gold NAPA AutoCare Center, we’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge and services necessary to maintain their vehicles in peak condition. Today, we delve into an essential component of your vehicle’s suspension system: struts. Struts play a pivotal role in ensuring a smooth, stable ride, but they’re often confused with shocks and leaf springs. Let’s clear up the confusion and explore what makes struts unique.

What Are Struts?

Struts are an integral part of your vehicle’s suspension system, combining several different components into one compact assembly. Unlike simple shock absorbers, struts provide structural support for the vehicle’s suspension system and influence the alignment angles. Each strut assembly typically includes a coil spring, which supports the vehicle’s weight, a strut housing, which provides structural support, and a damping unit within the strut housing to absorb road shock.

Struts vs. Shocks

While both struts and shock absorbers perform the critical function of dampening the effects of road irregularities, the primary difference lies in their design and functionality. Shocks are separate components designed solely to absorb and dampen vibrations. In contrast, struts are a major structural component of the vehicle’s suspension system, affecting alignment and handling. Due to their design, vehicles equipped with struts often do not require upper ball joints, significantly influencing the vehicle’s overall suspension architecture.

Struts vs. Leaf Springs

Leaf springs, another form of vehicle suspension, consist of several layers of metal (leaves) bound together to act as a single unit. They are predominantly used in heavy-duty vehicles due to their ability to handle high loads. Unlike struts, which are part of the suspension system in many passenger vehicles providing both support and dampening, leaf springs are more focused on supporting heavy loads with minimal deflection. They are often accompanied by separate shock absorbers to manage the damping function.

The Importance of Struts

Struts are crucial for several reasons:

• Support: They bear much of the vehicle’s weight, affecting ride height and vehicle stability.
• Dampening: Struts help absorb the impact from road irregularities, contributing to a smoother ride.
• Handling: By influencing the vehicle’s alignment, struts affect the vehicle’s handling and tire wear.

When to Replace Struts

It’s essential to keep an eye on the condition of your struts. Signs that your struts may need replacement include unusual tire wear, leaning or swaying during turns, a bumpy ride, or the vehicle dipping forward when braking. Typically, it’s recommended to inspect your struts every 50,000 miles.

At Flash Auto, your safety and comfort on the road are our top priorities. If you’re experiencing any issues with your vehicle’s suspension system or have questions about struts, our team of certified professionals is here to help. Remember, maintaining your vehicle’s suspension system is not just about comfort; it’s about safety too.