How Do I Know If I Have Shocks or Struts?

Shocks and struts work with other suspension parts to maintain steady handling, ride level and safe braking. Basically, they make for a stable, comfortable ride rather than one that jolts you and your vehicle up and down while you drive.

There are a few differences that will help you know if your vehicle has shocks or struts.

Do I Have Shocks or Struts?

What Do Struts and Shocks Look Like?
Loaded or Complete Strut Elements
Why Shocks and Struts Are Not the Same

What Do Struts and Shocks Look Like?

One way to tell if you have shocks or struts is knowing what each kind of absorber looks like.

Rather than looking for coil springs on these parts to tell them apart, look at the bottom portion of the absorber.

If it is held in place by only one bolt, you’ll know you have shocks and not struts. You’ll also know you have a shock if your vehicle has an upper control arm.

If the bottom portion attaches directly to the steering knuckle, it’s a strut. Another strut indicator is if the absorber is attached to a tie rod.

Pair of struts with coil springs

Loaded or Complete Strut Elements

You can also look for elements found in a loaded strut, also known as a complete strut or a strut and spring assembly. They include a strut mount, strut bearing, strut bumper, strut boot, coil spring, and a spring seat.

Strut Mount: Found at the top of the strut, they are typically a metal component that attaches the strut to the body of the vehicle. The mount has a rubber section that isolates tire noise and vibrations from the vehicle. Many strut mounts have an integrated bearing or bearing plate to serve as the steering pivot.
Strut Bumper: A compressible suspension component that prevents metal-on-metal contact.
Coil Spring: A spring steel rod wound in a spiral (helix) shape that allows the vehicle to adapt to bumps and dips in the road. Installs near or around shocks and struts.
Spring Seat: Hard rubber or plastic cushions/insulators mounted between the coil spring.

Why Shocks and Struts Are Not the Same

Appearance aside, what makes shocks and struts different from one another?

While shocks are not an integral part of a suspension system, if struts were removed from one, the vehicle’s wheels would cave in and the vehicle would sink to the ground.

Struts are a structural necessity in suspensions, supporting a vehicle’s weight, spring, and serving as a pivot point for its steering system. They essentially take the place of the upper control arms and upper ball joints in other suspension types.

When struts are used in the front of the vehicle, they also serve as an important part of the steering system as the pivot point for your wheels.