Here's what most would consider a dumb question, but I don't know the answer: The Rogue has a coil over strut suspension in the front, and a shock absorber with separate coil spring in the back.
What is the difference between a strut and a shock absorber? In the service manual drawings they look very similar. Thanks.
Suspension Question
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kerrton
- Posts: 2161
- Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:48 am
- Car: 2008 Nissan Rogue SL FWD Gotham Gray
- Location: Southern Alberta, Canada
Re: Suspension Question (kerrton)
I found the answer by googling it, for anyone else who is interested here is the general description I found:
A shock absorber or coil-over-shox is a unit in which spring & bump stopper are arranged concentric (rather coaxial) with the damper to save space required for seperate installation of each.
A strut is a coil-over-shox with additional degrees of freedom for steering the wheel (provided by a bearing which partially replaces a ball joint) and articulation of the wheel (provided by the top mount which doubles in as the upper wishbone / control arm).
A strut is thus, a combination of a number of suspension components viz. spring, damper, bump stopper, upper control arm and probably one ball joint.
A strut and a coil-over-shox are not interchangable. If you put a simple coil-over-shox in place of strut, you won't be able to steer the vehicle and if you do otherwise, the directional stability will be lost. A strut is usually used in front suspension and a coil-over-shox is generally a part of rear suspension.
A shock absorber or coil-over-shox is a unit in which spring & bump stopper are arranged concentric (rather coaxial) with the damper to save space required for seperate installation of each.
A strut is a coil-over-shox with additional degrees of freedom for steering the wheel (provided by a bearing which partially replaces a ball joint) and articulation of the wheel (provided by the top mount which doubles in as the upper wishbone / control arm).
A strut is thus, a combination of a number of suspension components viz. spring, damper, bump stopper, upper control arm and probably one ball joint.
A strut and a coil-over-shox are not interchangable. If you put a simple coil-over-shox in place of strut, you won't be able to steer the vehicle and if you do otherwise, the directional stability will be lost. A strut is usually used in front suspension and a coil-over-shox is generally a part of rear suspension.
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maverick_rogue
- Posts: 82
- Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:56 pm
- Car: Nissan Rogue 2009 FWD
Re: Suspension Question (kerrton)
Essentially a McPherson Strut is a load bearing member , a damper/shock absorber is not.
McPherson Struts were designed to create more room space since they dont need structural parts that a non-load bearing shox would need. Assembly top Cup is directly mounted on chassis at the top and at bottom its directly attached to knuckle assembly.
Thats the reason they are most common on front drive vehicle since front drive mechanism needs to be fit at front.
Hope this helps.
McPherson Struts were designed to create more room space since they dont need structural parts that a non-load bearing shox would need. Assembly top Cup is directly mounted on chassis at the top and at bottom its directly attached to knuckle assembly.
Thats the reason they are most common on front drive vehicle since front drive mechanism needs to be fit at front.
Hope this helps.
Re: Suspension Question (kerrton)
Good information. Thanks to all responders. Could be useful for anyone looking to upgrade the OEM shocks/struts.