Shocks vs Struts: What’s the Real Difference

Shocks vs struts comes down to one thing: a strut is part of your car’s suspension structure, and a shock isn’t. A shock only controls the bounce of the spring. A strut does that job too, but it also holds the coil spring and carries the car’s weight.

That’s why you can’t swap one for the other.

Many cars have both. Struts often sit at the front of front-wheel-drive cars, with shocks at the back. Lots of trucks and larger SUVs use shocks on all four wheels.

Here’s how the repair differs:

• Shocks: they’re easier to replace, often with only the wheel off.
• Struts: much of the suspension comes apart, so an alignment is often needed after.
• Both: replace them in pairs on the same axle.

Worn shocks or struts can let the tires lose firm contact with the road. That can affect steering and braking, so don’t put off the repair.

Ask our mechanics to check what’s on your car. For prices, read our guide to strut replacement cost in Vancouver.