How are they different? I thoght they were the same thing. Do all cars use both? Do they just use one or the other?

 

Both are dampening devices.

A shock can be removed from the suspension without affecting the suspension.

A strut is also part of the front suspension. It replaces the upper A-arm by attaching the upper ball joint to rest of the car.

An F-body strut is only a shock because the spring sits between the lower A-arm and the frame. A mcpherson strut incorporates the suspension spring around the strut supporting the car weight on the strut.

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87 IROC-Z SuperPro ET Bracket Race Car
461 naturally aspirated Big Block

Best ET on a time slip: 11.242 altitude corrected to 10.89
Best MPH on a time slip: 121.52 altitude corrected to 125.89
Altitude corrected rear wheel HP: 497.9
Best 60 foot: 1.546

Racing at 3500 feet elevation but most race days it's over 5000 feet density altitude!
Member of the Calgary Drag Racing Association

87 IROC bracket car, 91 454SS daily driver, 95 Homebuilt Harley

 

Hmm, So is a mcpherson strut the same as "coil-over"? Also does this mean I do not have struts? All I need to worry about is shocks and springs?

 

Third gens have front struts and rear shocks.
A mcpherson strut can be considered a coil over but coil overs are not usually struts.

 

Thanks.