Do you need to replace struts when you replace shocks? – Jalopnik

Many auto repair shops and mechanics recommend replacing a car’s struts and shock absorbers at the same time. There is good reasoning behind this approach, as both components can affect a car’s handling, safety and ride quality.

It’s important to keep in mind that when one is worn out, the other is probably not far behind. However, only one of the two shows signs of wear, it is acceptable to replace shocks and struts at different times.

Although some people use the two terms interchangeably, there is a difference between shocks and struts. Shocks, or shock absorbers, use fluid transfer within a cylinder to control the movement of a vehicle’s suspension. Without the shock, a car could bounce along the road like a pogo stick. In addition to controlling bounce, shocks help with roll and sway in turns, dive while braking, and squat while accelerating.

Struts contain the same operating mechanism as shocks, but add a structural component to the car’s suspension. Vehicles without struts use upper and lower control arms that attach to the spindle or hub via ball joints. Struts replace the upper control arm and upper ball joint, making the system more compact and reducing weight.

Some cars have no struts at all, and others have no shocks, except for the shock-absorbing feature built into the struts. Many modern cars use a combination approach with struts at the front (or rear) and shocks controlling suspension movement at the other end. Whatever the setup, they have shock or strut pairs front and rear. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as a damaged component, it is recommended that the shock absorbers or struts be replaced as a front or rear pair.

Many do-it-yourself mechanics have the necessary wrench skills to replace a car’s shocks without having to pay someone else. Replacing struts is more complicated and requires a visit to an alignment shop anyway, so it’s worth getting a repair quote before taking your car apart.

Some struts contain replaceable cartridges that allow them to be refurbished without having to replace the entire part. While this feature can save you some money as your struts wear out, replacing strut cartridges is generally not recommended as a DIY project without specialized knowledge.