Shocks, struts, and coilovers all work to dampen road feedback by absorbing shock—but they’re not the same parts. Shocks simply absorb road impacts, struts absorb impact and support the weight of your vehicle, and coilovers are more like aftermarket upgrades for your struts.
Your car’s suspension system is generally regarded as one of the most important systems in your vehicle. It’s an integral part of safe driving, so it’s worthwhile to know a thing or two about how your vehicle’s suspension system works—starting with coilovers vs shocks vs struts. Although these three parts serve similar purposes within the suspension system, they have several key differences that set them apart from each other.
So, if you’ve ever bent down to take a look under your car and wondered what the heck was going on down there that keeps you from feeling every pebble and leaf on the road—you’ve clicked on the right article! Jerry
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What are shocks and struts?
You may have heard shocks and struts used interchangeably, but that’s not exactly correct. While shocks and struts serve similar purposes in your vehicle, some crucial differences set these two parts apart.
Shocks, more formally known as shock absorbers, do exactly as their name implies. Shocks are responsible for dampening the energy feedback from the road as it is transferred through your tires and to the rest of the suspension system. Your shocks help minimize body roll, and help keep all four of your tires firmly on the ground under various road conditions. In general, there are multiple kinds of shocks: big shocks, small shocks, high-performance shocks, etc. And while they have different names and designs, their general purpose remains the same.
Shocks are important, but are technically nonessential parts of the vehicle suspension system. They work wonders to improve ride quality and comfort, but without them, leaf springs or coil springs will still support your vehicle. However, we wouldn’t ever recommend driving a shock-less vehicle unless it’s an absolute emergency!
Like shocks, struts also absorb shock and road energy, but they also have a significant second task: holding the weight of the vehicle. Struts utilize coil springs to support your car: without struts, you wouldn’t be able to drive.
With struts, the shock absorber is located inside the strut assembly, and the spring wraps around the outside of it. Some vehicles have both struts and shocks, typically with struts in the front and shocks in the rear. Struts are more advantageous on vehicles that lack an upper control arm to link up to the knuckle.
What are coilovers?
Between shocks and struts, coilovers are more similar to struts. Like struts, coilovers also support the vehicle's weight and dampen the shock. The key difference between coilovers and struts is that struts are often an OEM part, whilecoilovers are more of an aftermarket upgrade.
Struts are composed of two different parts, the shock absorber and spring coil. Coilovers, on the other hand, are one single unit and the spring coil encircles the entire part—not just part of it like it does in a strut.
It’s helpful to think of a coilover as a piece with the damping ability of a shock and the capability of a stut, but the coilover is one seamless part for easier installation.
Advantages of coilover suspension components
Many drivers, especially those with high-performance or off-road vehicles, prefer coilovers to struts because coilovers are more adjustable. Coilovers also come in various lengths to give you greater control over ride height, spring rate, and camber settings. Height adjustment affects how your car looks and giving your vehicle a lower center of gravity can influence how your car handles.
With coilovers, you lower your chances of rollover when you whip around corners—which is part of what makes them so appealing to those with high-performance vehicles.
MORE: Suspension spring coil replacement cost
How much do coilovers cost?
If you’re convinced that coilovers are the perfect car modification for you, you’re probably wondering how much it will cost. And we have good news and bad news on that front: the exact cost of coilovers ranges between $300 and upwards of $1,500.
Brands like KW
make some of the most high-end coilover kits on the market, with high price tags to match. That said, you can still find quality coilovers for a couple of dollars. You’ll also need to factor the cost of installation into your budget. On average, you can expect coilover installation to cost you anywhere between $300 and $500.
Reading those numbers make your head spin? You may want to consider lowering springs in place of coilovers. Lowering springs achieve a similar look as coilovers—they make your vehicle sit closer to the ground—but are much cheaper than adjustable coilovers.
How to find hassle-free car insurance
Your suspension system is a pivotal part of driving safely; and having a better understanding of how your’s works for your vehicle can help you drive safer. But, regardless of whether or not you know your car inside and out, the unexpected can still happen out on the open road—which is why a great car insurance
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