What is a strut in a car suspension, how is it different from a shock absorber on a suspension
The rack is installed in the front and rear suspension, and in the first version it has a steering knuckle, and in the second it does not.
Many owners do not understand how a strut differs from a shock absorber on a car suspension, believing that this is one and the same part.
What is a shock absorber
It is a design that is responsible for the smooth running of the machine when passing defects in the road surface. The shock absorber mechanism involves the constant damping of shocks and shocks of the wheel falling into pits and potholes. Due to mobility, it prevents the loss of contact between the roadway and the car tire.
In the suspension, the shock absorber plays a leading role. It is located next to the wheel, is mounted between two supports and is equipped with a spring that ensures the return of the rod to its original position after actuation. The reverse must be done quickly so that the driver does not lose control while driving on rough roads.
Shock absorber
Most shock absorbers have a similar device and consist of the following elements:
- Hollow cylinder. On the one hand, it has a blind plug and a mount fixed on the hub. Inside there is a liquid or gas under pressure, which reduces the load when the rod is compressed.
- Suspension rod - a metal pipe that moves under load, attached to the piston and bearing.
- The piston is a metal plate that creates a vacuum inside and provides compression of a gaseous or liquid filler.
- A valve that transfers liquid from one reservoir to another and contributes to smooth running.
Manufacturers strive to constantly improve the part, making changes to the device of new models.
What is a car suspension strut
It is a unit that consists of different elements and ensures the operation of the suspension by determining the position of the wheel in space. The rack consists of several parts: shock absorber, coil spring, fastening elements to the car suspension.
Car suspension struts
Purpose of the rack:
- supports the weight of the machine;
- creates adhesion of the car body with the road surface;
- reduces longitudinal and transverse buildup;
- reduces the loads transmitted to the body when driving over bumps.
A strut assembly costs more than a shock absorber, as it consists of several complex elements, each of which is made of high quality materials. There are 2 types of car racks - with and without a spring. With frequent operation of the spring mechanism, energy is accumulated, which is subsequently converted into heat and dissolved in the atmosphere.
What are the differences
Rack - a composite structure, which includes a shock absorber and other elements. The difference between these parts:
- the strut is installed using a steering knuckle (front suspension), and the shock-absorbing element is installed directly through the silent block;
- the rack perceives the transverse and longitudinal load, the shock absorber - only the second;
- when the prefabricated element fails, movement is prohibited, the breakdown of the shock-absorbing part does not force the driver to call a tow truck.
The described structural elements are different parts and cannot be compared. They perform different functions and are not interchangeable, although they are needed for a common task - to keep the car body in a stable horizontal position. If a car service is convinced that these parts are one and the same, you should think about the qualifications of the specialists working there.
