What Are Struts and Shock Absorbers On A Car or Truck?

Discover what struts and shock absorbers are on a car or truck at Freedom Chevrolet.
Shock Absorbers and struts play a crucial function on your vehicle, but they are designed in wholly different ways. Both struts and shocks are key to a vehicle’s suspension and how it manages the road below it. The perfect suspension system helps with the handling and ride quality of your car, so great shocks and struts can help create either a corner-carving monster or a pillowy soft cruiser, whatever you might desire. Shocks have a smaller role in the suspension system focusing only on suspension movement. While the struts also mitigate bumps from the road, they also serve more of a structural role by supporting the vehicle chassis, especially if you are offroading. Both components are there to make sure each drive you take is as good as the previous one, so keeping them in the best shape will help you a lot.
What Are Shocks?
Shocks help control the suspension travel on your vehicle for maximum performance. Shocks are important for a vehicle because, without them, the vehicle will not be able to handle most bumps. If you are the risk-taking sort and love to go offroading, some great shocks can do a lot to make sure you are having fun. On a racecar, drivers will probably need a stiff suspension for better handling, while drivers of a luxury car may want a soft suspension for a comfortable ride.
What Are Struts?
Struts perform 2 unique functions on a vehicle, like a shock, they help soften bumps in the road, but unlike shock absorbers, they also provide structural integrity for the suspension. While each part is instrumental in each drive taken in the car, struts have a larger role on the car. Performance struts are crafted to give your vehicle a firm performance at higher speeds, while struts on a Sport Utility Vehicle may be required to balance offroad characteristics while also giving you more control.
How To Tell If Shocks Are Bad?
The quickest way to identify if your suspension is failing is if your vehicle doesn’t drive 100%. The small changes in performance can be noticeable if you’re paying attention. Little changes like your car leaning excessively while making a turn, your shocks bouncing more than normal over small bumps, or issues handling of your car can be some simple insights that you may need suspension repair. So pay attention the next time you jump behind the wheel, take a second to see if you notice any differences in the vehicle’s performance, and when you notice any issues, our knowledgeable service technicians are here to help.
Schedule Service at Freedom Chevrolet
Stop by and see the professionals at Freedom Chevrolet for your next car service in San Antonio. You can meet with our service team and get your Chevrolet assessed to make sure your vehicle is operating at its best. Visit us online or in person to schedule your appointment.



0 comment(s) so far on What Are Struts and Shock Absorbers On A Car or Truck?