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

Discover what shock absorbers vs struts are on a car or truck at Genesis of Southwest Houston.
Shocks and struts play a crucial function on your car, but they are designed in completely different ways. Both struts and shock absorbers are essential to the suspension and how it manages the road below it. The right suspension system helps with the handling and ride quality of your car, so great struts and shocks can help create either a corner-carving monster or a relaxing, pillowy soft cruiser, no matter what you might desire. Shock absorbers have a focused role in the suspension system by just absorbing any bumps in the road. While the struts also smooth out bumps from the road, they also serve more of a structural role by bringing support to the chassis of the vehicle, especially when you are offroading. Both are there to make sure every drive you take is as good as the previous one, so making sure they are in good condition will benefit you greatly.

What Are Shocks?
Shock absorbers help control the movement of a car’s suspension for maximum performance. This makes them incredibly important for your vehicle because, without them, the vehicle won’t be able to absorb as many bumps. If you’re the daring sort and love to go offroading, some great shocks can do a lot to make sure you are having fun. On a racecar, drivers will probably need a stiff suspension for better handling, while drivers of a luxury car may look for a soft suspension for a pillowy soft ride.

What Are Struts On A Car?
Struts perform 2 specific functions on a vehicle, they help soften bumps in the road, but unlike shocks, they also provide some structural support for the suspension. While both parts are instrumental in each drive taken in the car, struts have a bigger role on the car. Upgraded struts are aimed to give your car a firm performance at higher speeds, while struts for an SUV may need to balance aggressive offroad needs while also giving drivers more control.

How Do Drivers Know If The Shock Absorbers and Struts Are Bad?
The easiest way to tell if your suspension is bad is if your vehicle doesn’t feel quite right. The small differences in performance can be large indicators of issues. Little changes like your vehicle leaning excessively while turning, your shocks bouncing more than usual, or general difficulty with the handling are some easy insights into the shock absorbers and struts needing replacement. So when you get behind the wheel, take a second to see if you notice any differences in the car’s performance, and if you notice any issues, our trained service technicians are ready to help.
Schedule Service at Genesis of Southwest Houston
Stop by and see the professionals at Genesis of Southwest Houston for your next car service in Houston. You can meet with our service team and get your Genesis 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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