Funky Buddha

the difference between coilovers, struts, and shocks?

Can someone post pics?

kosmicride

Coilovers are adjustable springs with an adjustable position that you spin around to either compress the springs or allow the springs to be open., Struts are the complete package, shock is in the middle of the spring, shocks are just that a simple shock that is tuned in with some other method of weight distribution that allows the car to lower or lift to a certain degree, their are passive shocks and solid shocks. Passive shocks use another method to actualy keep the ride height while a solid shock is stable once weight is applied. If you go to a auto store pull out a shock and see that you can push it in and some will push back out some will stay where you push them in to.

stealthscotty

I don't mean to flame the previous post, but that's not quite how things work. two things to know first. Ride height is a function of spring installed height, spring rate and vehicle weight. A shock is mearly a damner to control suspension movements(pevent oscilation of the spring).

A shock is a hydraulic cylinder with valving that may be fixed or adjustable to control suspension movement. No spring associated with it.

A strut is a shock that is incorporated into the suspension system forming one of the links to the car. It is usually adjustable at one or both ends for alignment of the wheel. It may be installed independent of the spring, as in many itermediate GM cars, or with a coil-over spring around the strut, like most import front wheel drive cars.

A coil-over is a spring that can be installed over a shock or strut in a coaxial manner (shock in the center of the spring). The spring perch may be fixed or adjustable for ride height and/or preload. This is most common in a MacPhearson strut for cars(nonadjustable), and in any kind of motorcycle shock. It is also used in many racing applications. Many kits allow a coilover spring to be added to a conventional shock or strut, allowing adjustability of the suspension.

kosmicride

The coilover kits that are avaible are completly pathetic for any use. You have to clamp the *new adjustable coilover on the spring housing, crimping smashing, and hindering proper fluid travel within the shock.
What shocks and struts do?

Shocks and struts are safety components that maintain vertical loads placed upon the tires. They control spring and suspension movement to keep tires in contact with the road. Under normal conditions on a smooth road, shocks stroke on average 1,750 times for every mile traveled or 7.5 million stabilizing actions on average every 12,000 miles. As a result, shocks and struts do wear out and should be checked every 12,000 miles/20,000 kilometers just to be safe. Worn shocks and struts affect vehicle safety and ride.

Conventional shocks and struts are limited by their valving. Their performance is generally a compromise between a comfortable ride and one that is more controlled. precision tapered grooves allow the fluid to freely flow around and through the piston. The result is a smooth and comfortable ride. When the piston travels beyond the tapered grooves, fluid is directed totally through the piston, this results in extra vehicle control.What shocks and struts do. You can not use just a shock for most cars without the add of Springs. Like I stated there are passive shocks that only aid the springs. The strut assembly refers to all suspension in the shocks and springs, By adjustable he means you are able to align the strut to acheive caster and camber. Not ride height.

kosmicride

Why are you such a *****? Did I state that it was my information? Do I need to Follow APA guidlines??? Can you not tell what is my information? Especilly with the blue at the bottom that should tell you something. I did say the facts of the matter and stealthscotty is incorrect as to what the functualty of a Strut suspension is. You cannot use just a shock on the rear of our cars. It will not hold the weigth. Nor can you use just a shock on the front unless you have a light vehicle with almost no weight. The must have some sort of spring suspension.
Go back to your fast and furious books PseudoRealityX

stealthscotty

I believe what Kosmicride is missing is that I said a strut could be installed independent of a spring. I didn't saw it could be installed without a spring. In some cases('82-'92 Camaros), the front strut has no spring. The spring is installed inboard of the strut between the subframe and lower control arm. There is no upper control arm as it was replaced by the strut. So I'll go with Psuedo- My info is right on. Kosmicride, calm down a little..... There is way more technicl info out there on this topic than anyone really cares to put in a forum post, and I did say that I didn't intend to flame your post.

Look at this for a strut with seperate spring:
http://camaroz28.cardomain.com/membe...=205049&page=8

mike_moss

easy there Scotty (kosmicride). no need to run off your mouth.

titocruzsd

mike, that was kosmicride, not stealthscotty.

mike_moss

haha...thanks! i was misinformed by looking at kosmicride's sig. his name is Scotty. it just kidna slipped out. lol.


no offense to stealthscotty!

kosmicride

Its all good stealthscotty

your not the one that has a problem with authority. Pseudo has the problem
Your post is as correct as mine.

kosmicride

Granted Upon closer inspection I did notice that I left out the link or actually as I dont usually, cut and paste from what someone said and answer what was said I made corrections in the original quote that were left unnoticed by the time I was looking back to see that the address was not added along with the color change in the inital quote answers
Psuedork already jumped the gun.

Yes TheMan I probably could but would I no.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by PseudoRealityX [QUOTE][i] haha, and you called ME the dick

It was ***** not dick.

kosmicride

since you are an admin why don't you just go thru and clean out my mistakes and fix them for me.
Obviously you cannot understand simple words, saying without the use of punctuation.

itzkcatz

Who gives a **** where u got the information. He was trying to answer the question not take credit for the article ...Jon 93 lx