What Are Struts vs Shock Absorbers On A Car or Truck?

December 8th, 2022 by

Discover what struts vs shock absorbers are on a car or truck at Group 1 Kia South Austin.

Shock Absorbers and struts play a crucial role on your vehicle, but they are made in completely unique ways. Both shocks and struts are crucial to the suspension and how it handles the road underneath it. The ideal suspension system helps with the ride quality and handling of your car, so great struts and shocks can help create either a relaxing, pillowy soft cruiser or a corner-carving monster, no matter what you might desire. The role shock absorbers have is more of a smaller role in the suspension system focusing only on suspension movement. While struts also mitigate bumps from the road, they also play a larger structural role by bringing support to the chassis of the vehicle, especially when you are driving offroad. Both are there to ensure that each drive you take is as smooth as the last one, so keeping them in the best condition will benefit you greatly.

What Do Shock Absorbers Do?

Shocks help control the suspension travel on your car for maximum performance, or more simply put, they absorb any bumps in the road for a smoother ride. Shock absorbers are incredibly important for a vehicle because, when they fail, the vehicle will not be able to absorb as many bumps. If you are the adventurous sort and love to drive on unpaved terrain, some upgraded shocks can do a lot to make sure you’re having a good time. On a racecar, drivers may want a stiff suspension for better handling, while owners of a luxury car may want a soft suspension for a pillowy soft ride.

What Are Struts?

Struts perform 2 specific functions on a car, first, they help absorb bumps in the road, but they also provide structural support for the suspension. While each component is instrumental to each drive taken in the car, struts have a more overarching purpose on the car. Upgraded struts are designed to give a vehicle impressive performance at high speeds, while struts for a Sport Utility Vehicle may be asked to balance offroad needs while also giving drivers more control.

How Do Drivers Know If My Shock Absorbers and Struts Are Bad?

The easiest way to tell if your shock absorbers are bad is if your car doesn’t feel 100%. The small differences in your vehicle performance can be large indicators of problems. Tiny changes like your car leaning too far while making a turn, your car bouncing more than usual over small bumps, or difficulty with the handling are some easy insights that your car may need suspension repair. So the next time you go for your next drive, take a second to evaluate any differences in your car’s performance, and when you feel like something is wrong, our knowledgeable technicians are ready to assist you.

 

Schedule Service at Group 1 Kia South Austin

Stop by and see the professionals at Group 1 Kia South Austin for your next car service in Austin. You can meet with our service team and get your Kia assessed to make sure your vehicle is operating at its best. Visit us online or in person to schedule your appointment.

 

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