A real Dumb One Here

**kool-aide** · 05-17-2008, 03:01 PM

Ok, here is a dumb question.

Does the 4th Gen F-Body have front shocks or struts?

And what is the difference any way?

Ok, lets all giggle together, but remember afterward to leave an answer.

thanks

kool-aide

**itsfess** · 05-18-2008, 05:15 PM

front struts

**bob1esq** · 05-18-2008, 05:24 PM

It is not a dumb quesiton at all. They are called both. You can put aftermarket adjustable shocks in from any manufacturer (pesuming you have the correct length). The trick is that there is a weird spring mount at the top for a pigtail spring. Only QA1 sells this type of spring, and their choices are limited. Have no fear, there is an answer. Global West sells an adapter plate so you can use coilovers with 2.5 inch springs.

**kool-aide** · 05-19-2008, 04:51 PM

thanks

i have heard some people say shock, strut, blah, to the point of having to ask.

I haven't read my Haynes repair guide but saw in the KYB product guide a few install notes. I'm not sure what cars it was referring to, but it said you change the front struts with the weight on the suspension. Basically it said pull the strut from the top once you have the mount off and it unbolted.

Now I was thinking I would need to jack the car to get the weight off
use a spring compressor to compress the spring
unbolt the bottom and top
then pull it out

not saying this is exact, but does it sound like I am in the ball park? I'm not replacing the springs if that makes a difference. A shop manual quotes 3.2 hours for both.

thanks

kool-aide

**9t8z28** · 05-19-2008, 06:31 PM

I don't consider it a strut, but a shock, although, it is very similar. The 3rd gens have struts.

**9t8z28** · 05-19-2008, 06:35 PM

An automotive suspension strut combines the primary function of a shock absorber (as a damper), with the ability to support sideways loads not along its axis of compression, somewhat similar to a sliding pillar suspension, thus eliminating the need for an upper suspension arm. This means that a strut must have a more rugged design, with mounting points near its middle for attachment of such loads.

This entry is from Wikipedia,

**Sam Strano** · 05-20-2008, 08:05 AM

It's a shock... not a strut. They are not the same thing, and 4th gens use coil-over shocks, not struts. The spring over the damper does not make it a strut (there are struts that don't have a spring over them too). What matters is how the damper attaches to the suspension.

**Y2KArcticSS** · 05-20-2008, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by Sam Strano

It's a shock... not a strut. They are not the same thing, and 4th gens use coil-over shocks, not struts. The spring over the damper does not make it a strut (there are struts that don't have a spring over them too). What matters is how the damper attaches to the suspension.

Coming from the suspension man himself. And he's right (of course)

ps. You, my friend, will have plenty of my business come next tax season...my suspension needs some major work!!

**kool-aide** · 05-20-2008, 02:33 PM

thanks guys.

now that I have had a read through Haynes I see why the book says 3.2 hours. I usually double that number and add in time for crying, lol...