I feel like a dumbass asking this but I don't know, could sombody help clear it up for me?

 

I think they are the same thing just two interchangable words, but i'm somewhat of a newb at this.

 

strut is a shock inside of a spring used to conserve space and is changed as a assembly usualy. the f body uses a modified mcferson strut assembly and a true strut per say

 

So that means this is a shock, and when this is inside a spring like the picture below it becomes a strut?

 

.

 

And I should replace both the shock and the spring at the same time?

 

Shocks are generally in the rear of the car and struts are in the front.

 

Now i'm confused again

 

Ok, I think I got it now. In that first picture i posted the two longer ones are shocks which go in the rear, and the other two shorter ones are struts and go in the front.
Or should I still be confused?

 

I think a strut is a structural link, in addition to being a dampener, while a shock is only a dampener.

 

in a f body car the shocks should be replaced as a pair in the rear and the front as well. but the f body do not use a standard strut like most modern cars. they use a modify mcpherson strut that seprates the coil springs and shock assembly so they can be replaced independly of each other. you will need to have the front end align. afterwards though if you do the work yourself

 

Why would an alingment be necessary if I do it? Or is it needed if a shop does it as well? Would it end up being cheaper to have a shop do it if i have to pay $100 for an alingment?

 

What a question!

Well, both are dampening devices; used to disperse the energy from your suspension so you don't have a bouncy ride. And aside from what everyone is say, a strut isn't a shock that goes inside a spring. Look at the popular coil-over shocks that many hot-rodders put on their model-A's: Coil-over shock Mustang 2 front suspension. It isn't a matter of placement either, there's 'struts' in your hood and rear hatch. A strut is a structural member that is usually used in compression: in the case of our camaros, the strut is the structural connection between the steering knuckle, and the frame. If you look at it, if it wasn't for the strut, the steering knuckle would only be pin attached to the car by the lower control-arm. And if you've ever disconnected the strut, and pulled the spring out of there, the control arm lays dismally down. The difference between that and the shock is the car doesn't structurally NEED the shocks there for a structural connection of the rear-axle to the chassis. There are pin connections, a torsional connection, and two direct spring loaded connections for the axle.

Argh, a bit much there- sorry its been a long week of engineering.....

In short, the strut is a structural member with dampening potential (like the torque arm is with torsional potential), and so, is heavier, more complicated (it has the drilled bolt pattern for our steering knuckle), and usually has more dampening force that a shock.

I hope I hit the question right!

 

Thanks, that really helped me out alot You guys are the greatest.

Do you think that when I do my shocks, I should replace the springs as well. I know I need shocks, I got the car used so I have no idea if they have ever been done. Car has 97k on it, lots of local driving I think.

 

Chances are the shocks/struts were never changed; as is the case with most used f-bodies. If you're the least bit curious, replace them anyway.

You -could- do springs now if you want, but it's a more difficult job. It's certainly no big deal to go back in later and change the springs.

Now if you were doing springs and wanted to know if you should also do the control arm bushings, I'd say "hell yes", because those parts -are- a big deal to go back in later for. Once you change springs, you might as well take care of everything. Shocks/struts are a couple of bolts and you're done. Springs require more work.

 

Thanks
Main reason I was thinking about springs was I was thinking about getting somthing a little firmer in my rs, but cannot seem to find any aftermarket springs that don't lower the car.

 

remember if your springs are stock and old...(how many miles are on your car?) chances are something like an eibach pro-kit that lowers 1-1.5" will not effect the car's height much. however it will make driving a fun experience again.

 

Ive replaced the front spoiler already from backing out of my driveway when i first got the car. I can do it now, but its a pain and still scrapes somtimes, so I definatly don't want it lower, or ill be parking in the lot down the street. Not to mention I cannot get into Dunkin Donuts parking lot as it is, this cars a good diet