Struts v Coil Springs

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Discussion

MakaveliX

Original Poster:

662 posts

44 months

Tuesday 24th May 2022
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My car has a typical " McPherson Strut " style suspension.

I was wondering what difference the struts make, compared to the springs which attach to them - in regards to handling etc ?

I know struts tend to be more expensive than the springs. Do the struts take more of the impact, or do the springs maintain the structure of the strut so that it doesn't compress too far when in use ?




AmosMoses

4,049 posts

180 months

Tuesday 24th May 2022
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E-bmw

11,052 posts

167 months

Tuesday 24th May 2022
quotequote all
I am not 100% sure what you are actually asking.

The Mc Pherson strut is the complete assembly & the way it functions rather than dual wishbone for instance.

The damper part of the strut isn't the bit that decides it is Mc Pherson strut it is the way the whole thing is designed to work with an integral spring/damper/upper mounting point/lower wishbone.

MakaveliX

Original Poster:

662 posts

44 months

Wednesday 25th May 2022
quotequote all
E-bmw said:
I am not 100% sure what you are actually asking.

The Mc Pherson strut is the complete assembly & the way it functions rather than dual wishbone for instance.

The damper part of the strut isn't the bit that decides it is Mc Pherson strut it is the way the whole thing is designed to work with an integral spring/damper/upper mounting point/lower wishbone.
OK sorry for any confusion.
A few months back I had my coil springs replaced, but not the strut inside the spring, they are still OEM ones. IF you get what I mean ?

Scrump

23,420 posts

173 months

Wednesday 25th May 2022
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The ‘struts’ you refer to are dampers (also known as shock absorbers).

E-bmw

11,052 posts

167 months

Wednesday 25th May 2022
quotequote all
MakaveliX said:
E-bmw said:
I am not 100% sure what you are actually asking.

The Mc Pherson strut is the complete assembly & the way it functions rather than dual wishbone for instance.

The damper part of the strut isn't the bit that decides it is Mc Pherson strut it is the way the whole thing is designed to work with an integral spring/damper/upper mounting point/lower wishbone.
OK sorry for any confusion.
A few months back I had my coil springs replaced, but not the strut inside the spring, they are still OEM ones. IF you get what I mean ?
OK, now we know what you mean, you ask do they make more of a difference, difference to what?

What is the issue you are trying to overcome & why were the springs changed?

MakaveliX

Original Poster:

662 posts

44 months

Wednesday 25th May 2022
quotequote all
E-bmw said:
OK, now we know what you mean, you ask do they make more of a difference, difference to what?

What is the issue you are trying to overcome & why were the springs changed?
Do they both do the same job ? Or do they do different things ?

Changed as they were old and found them too firm.

No real issue, it's just they can be a bit bouncy on some roads. Generally though they're firm enough for sharp cornering, and soft enough to absorb bumps and potholes.

E-bmw

11,052 posts

167 months

Wednesday 25th May 2022
quotequote all
Let's start with more info on the car itself, make, model, age, mileage will do to start.

MakaveliX said:
Do they both do the same job ? Or do they do different things ?
No, they both do different things that help each other to keep the car body under control & the tyres in contact with the road.

MakaveliX said:
Changed as they were old and found them too firm.
So, I assume springs off a "softer" model of car have been fitted?

MakaveliX said:
No real issue, it's just they can be a bit bouncy on some roads. Generally though they're firm enough for sharp cornering, and soft enough to absorb bumps and potholes.
Have the springs made much of a difference?