Shock or Strut?????

[AK]

I know, I know...it looks like this has been hashed out a billion times.

I have right about 100k on my 03 4 door so it's time to replace these bad boys. My question is this, when I went down to the parts store today they had both shocks and spring seat struts for the vehicle, can you replace with just shocks?

I am pretty sure not, because what would you do with the springs? Or is there something I am missing? Why offer just a regular shock?

Thanks for your help!

AK

 

[Layinhp]

springs mount around the strut... you need both



the "shock" would be the center piece which is the strut

 

[AK]

springs mount around the strut... you need both



the "shock" would be the center piece which is the strut

Yeah I get the shock/strut is in the center of the spring, my question is why do they offer a shock/strut that is meant to seast with the spring and one that does not seat the spring.

Also, I don't need to replace the springs, do I?

 

[Donner]

Nah, just make sure you don't have any cracks or rust on the surface of your springs. You need struts, struts only... 4 struts all around. If someone tries to sell you springs, tell them to f#ck off... UNLESS there is a problem with your coils, they should outlive the vehicle.

 

[nugsta25]

So how do we we know?? shocks or spring seat struts. On Autozone.com, they call them all struts. One of them has a side note that says "spring seat strut," the others have a note that says "shock." This is confusing me beacsue they all look pretty much the same.....

 

[gotDIRT??]

So how do we we know?? shocks or spring seat struts. On Autozone.com, they call them all struts. One of them has a side note that says "spring seat strut," the others have a note that says "shock." This is confusing me beacsue they all look pretty much the same.....

its the first year they went to struts and all those places still list shocks for the vehicle trust me they do not fit....

When you buy them open the box and make sure they are struts and not shocks...

I replaced mine with the sensatracks and am really happy with them... they were a bit pricey but you get what you pay for...

 

[nugsta25]

how can you tell by looking? the pics on the website look basically the same...what are the differences?

 

[Donner]

If you're staying stock, why not just get stock from the dealer? Or if you call Autozone, they will tell you precisely which struts you need.

 

[jrford]

how can you tell by looking? the pics on the website look basically the same...what are the differences?

you should see a saucer like thing near one end of the strut, its called the spring seat.