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#1
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Strut question for newby
I don't know how I locked my own posting. Weird.
What is the difference between a shock and a strut. How do you know if a strut is bad vs. a shock. Martin |
#2
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In general, a strut is a functioning member of the support of the vehicle. A structural device holding the vehicle relative to the tire.
A shock absorber is a dampener to spring movement/oscillation. In some cars a shock absorber is built into a structural member and that is refered to a a strut. A strut doesn't have to have a shock in it; such as a longitudinal strut. More simply put, a car wil roll down the road without a shock but will fold up without a strut.
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Steve Brotherton Continental Imports Gainesville FL Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1 33 years MB technician |
#3
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Thank you Steve... If a strut is a structural member, how do they go "bad?" Are you talking about a strut with a shock integrated with it?
Martin |
#4
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Yes, some type suspensions incorporate the shock into one of the structural members. This of course has to be a member with a vertical component.
Because this strut now telescopes the device has more ways to fail than a normal shock who's concern is just in and out. The strut/shock also is responsible for the structural component of sideways play. Movement sideways on a vertical strut causes camber changes and often is the reason for negative camber that is uncorrectable whin normal adjusting mechanisms. This can be a concern on 124 and 201 bodies. The 202 and 210 bodies went back to upper and lower control arms. I am posting a picture, tell me what kind of suspension it is of the above two types. Anyone care to guess what car it is from?
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Steve Brotherton Continental Imports Gainesville FL Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1 33 years MB technician |
#5
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Steve - my guess would be a new S class MB. The rack and pinion provides a clue for a newer model and the leveling mechanism provides a clue for a upper crust vehicle. The designations provide a clue for MB.
Just a guess.
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Jim |
#6
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Good hints but wrong car.
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Steve Brotherton Continental Imports Gainesville FL Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1 33 years MB technician |
#7
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I just looked at a 220 chassis and it looks identical. I can't tell them apart, so good guess.
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Steve Brotherton Continental Imports Gainesville FL Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1 33 years MB technician |
#8
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A picture is worth a thousand words - thanks for posting that Steve. I get it now!
Martin |
#9
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Actually, the picture is from a 211 chassis and the device #40 would be a shock by my definition (note both a upper and lower control arm positioning the wheel, through the spindle).
As it turns out another inferance in the term "strut" can refer to a shock that is used for load or height leveling. That is what this strut does.
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Steve Brotherton Continental Imports Gainesville FL Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1 33 years MB technician |
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