Shocks Vs. Struts
If you've been researching the suspension system in your semi-truck, then you've probably come across both struts and shock absorbers. At this point you may be wondering what the difference is. If so, you've come to the right place! To help you increase your knowledge on the subject of struts vs. shocks, our trucking specialists have put together the following article. Read on to learn more about the difference between shocks and struts.
What Are Shocks?
Contrary to popular opinion, typical shock absorbers are not designed specifically to support vehicle weight. Instead, the intended purpose of the shock absorber is to control spring and suspension movement. This is accomplished by transforming the kinetic energy of suspension movement into thermal energy that needs to be dissipated through the hydraulic fluid. ( Monroe Shocks 101: Shocks Vs. Struts)
Shock absorbers are meant to control the impact and rebound movement of your truck's springs and suspension. They make sure that your truck's wheels remain in contact with the road surface while helping to cushion the load of the truck.
Shock absorbers are critical safety components that can affect tire wear, stability, braking, vibration, driver comfort, and the life of other steering and suspension components. The shocks in your semi-truck are designed to help keep vehicles grounded where the roads are considerably instable.
What Are Struts?
Struts are developed to be the structural part of your truck's suspension. Struts integrate numerous different suspension parts into one compact assembly. A strut assembly includes a coil spring, spring seats, shock absorbers, strut bearings, and steering knuckles. Struts connect the upper bearing to the lower ball joint, allowing the assembly to pivot when you turn your truck.
Struts serve several purposes: the internal shock absorber is designed to dampen the movement of the spring when it compresses and rebounds itself when in motion, and with its spring, it will support the weight of the vehicle while it is moving, allowing it to adapt to irregularities in the road. ( The Difference Between Shocks and Struts, and When Do We Need To Replace Them?)
Struts provide a damping function similar to shock absorbers. Internally, a strut is very much like a shock absorber. A piston is attached to the end of the piston rod that uses hydraulic fluid to control the movement of the spring and suspension. Just like shock absorbers, the valving generates force created by the up and down motion of the suspension. Struts are velocity sensitive, meaning that the amount of resistance can change depending on how fast the suspension moves.
What Is The Difference Between Shocks And Struts?
A key part of your vehicle's suspension system, shocks and struts help keep your vehicle's tires in contact with the road.
Often, people will talk about shocks and struts interchangeably. In the case of your semi-truck, shocks and struts are two distinct components with varying functions. Even though both help with your truck's ride and handling, these systems work in different ways. Shocks are individual components of the suspension system, while struts are a major structural component of the chassis and suspension system.
Struts provide structural support for the vehicle suspension while also support the spring and keeping the tire aligned properly. Additionally, they take on most of the side load placed on your truck's suspension. As a result, struts affect ride comfort and handling as well as vehicle control, braking, steering, wheel alignment, and wear on suspension parts.
On most struts, the bottom affixes to the steering knuckle, which connects to a lower control arm through the lower ball joint. A complete strut assembly includes all the components needed for strut replacement in a single unit. It combines the strut housing, damping unit with a coil spring to support the vehicle's weight.
Shock absorbers perform the same basic function as oil pumps. When the suspension moves, the hydraulic fluid is forced through the orifices inside the piston. These orifices let a small amount of fluid through the piston. This slows down the piston, which also decreases movement in the spring and suspension.
Match Made Shocks
Match Made shock absorbers are meticulously designed by professional engineers who aim to provide you with the best possible products for your semi-truck at extremely competitive prices. Each component of these impeccable shock absorbers was developed to be an enhanced version of its predecessor. When compared to other leading brands like Gabriel and Monroe (both of which are among the top names in the trucking industry), Match Made shocks offer several additional benefits designed to provide truckers with a superior product. Some features of Match Made shock absorbers for semi-trucks include:
- Chrome plated piston rods.
- PTFE piston seal with anti-corrosive and non-reactive components.
- 40% thicker inner working tube than competing shocks.
- Proprietary bushing formulation with a unique oil seal that offers 10% less loss of shock oil.
- Upper and lower valve packages that are made with 100% disk technology.
- Welded with the highest breaking point in the industry.
If you would like to learn more about Match Made shocks, take a look at our article that explains exactly what they are, how they work, and how they stack up to the competition.
- Match Made Shocks
Shock Absorber Cross References
Do you have a particular shock absorber in mind? If so, we have a full section of cross-referenced shocks for you to choose from. We've made it easy for you to find the exact shock absorber you've been looking for to fit your needs and applications!
Read More!
If you would like to read more about your suspension system, then look no further! We have a full offering of articles related to the components in your suspension. Take a look at any of the articles below to learn more.
- Getting To Know Your Suspension System
- Getting To Know Your Suspension: Shock Absorbers
- Getting To Know Your Suspension: Torque Rods
- Getting To Know Your Suspension: Leaf Springs
- Getting To Know Your Suspension: U-Bolts
- Getting To Know Your Suspension: Bushings
- Getting To Know Your Suspension: Stabilizers
Shop For Shock Absorbers and Struts Today!
Now that you know a little more about shocks and struts, the next step is to choose which is right for your needs. View our online store for amazing deals on struts and shocks from Match Made, Gabriel, and Monroe.