Shocks

[Vracer111]

Call a parts place and ask for a suspension damper if you want to mess with them... ;)

V6Bob has already explained the difference between a strut (integral part of the suspension geometry) and shock (not part of the suspension geometry, just along for ride control) quite well...

[97burnout]

well I will call it a strut so that when I need the part I will get what I need... The only reason I am stubborn is that I argued with the guy at the parts place that it wasn't a strut and he insisted that it was... then I called this other place and he said it was too... so I will call it that too... I am done... What is a name? I know how to change my suspension... do you guys? sure you know the names but when it comes down too it doing the work right is what is important... you can call it whatever you want but when you go to change your shocks search under strut at the parts store. that might help you out

[FirebirdGT]

Originally posted by 97burnout:
your kidding me right.... I just changed my shocks out this weekend... my 97 it is a strut and so is my girlfriends 98... I was wrong before... I was also wrong about my generations, my bad somehow i always was bad about my Generations... confused now... I thought starting 98 was a different generation, maybe technically they are the same... my bad... in any rate my 97 has struts

No, I'm not kidding.

STOP listening to your "friends" and auto parts store idiots. I DON'T ask for help at auto parts stores.

http://tech.firebirdv6.com/suspension.html

Notice that they show a SLA suspension, which is NOT a strut:

http://www.monroe.com/tech_support/tec_struts.asp

[FunkZ]

Technically it's a shock, because it does not carry any structural load. And a coil-over is a coil-over shock, not a coil-over strut.

But because it has top and bottom mounts and spring all bolted together, well it is often referred to as a strut assembly.

It's just a name though, no matter what you call it, it's not worth arguing over a word. We'll know what you mean whether you say shock or strut.

And compared to changing the rear shocks, it's only slightly more difficult to swap the front assemblies, but you need a spring compressor if you want to take them apart. I bought my front springs and shocks already assembled, so all I had to do is swap the assembly, which is fairly simple.

[97burnout]

hey I like you guys so I don't want to start an argument (keep it going)... most places mistake it for a strut when it is not so it is easy for me to think it is.... I was proved wrong... my install went pretty good last weekend (before this debate all started... I changed my springs a long time ago too, so I already have delt with this and always thought it was a strut, thats why I was being stubborn) though I am very happy with the kyb shocks... my friend with a lancer who always wants to race me doesn't have a cornering advantage like he always says he has anymore... especially with my new proxy 4 tires I got a couple days ago... sorry to start an argument....

[V6Bob]

"sorry to start an argument...."

There's nothing to be sorry about. You helped improve my thinking. The next time this comes up (and it will) I'll have a much clearer explanation ready.

The Monroe site listed by Robert is informative and clear.

It's all good.

[ March 18, 2006, 11:59 AM: Message edited by: V6Bob ]