Are they struts or shocks?

[yaofeng]

I call the front struts and the rear shocks.

[vping]

I've heard either term used but I am trying to find front struts on ebay for my 1990 535I and I am not sure if I am better off searching for shocks or struts. If I do not use ebay, I don't want to sound like an idiot at the counter when I ask the parts guy for what I need.

Are they struts or shocks? I always assumed Struts.

[whiskychaser]

I've heard either term used but I am trying to find front struts on ebay for my 1990 535I and I am not sure if I am better off searching for shocks or struts. If I do not use ebay, I don't want to sound like an idiot at the counter when I ask the parts guy for what I need.

Are they struts or shocks? I always assumed Struts.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...45&hg=31&fg=10
Picture is worth a thousand words

[Qube]

Plagiarized...

A strut is an upper suspension locating member that is typically a vertically oriented metal tube that is connected to the hub.

A shock is a hydraulic device the dampens the motions of the suspension springs.

On a McPhereson and Chapman Strut suspension the strut has a coil spring located around it and the spring sits on a lower spring perch attached to the strut. In addition, a shock is installed inside the hollow tube of the strut with the shock body clamped in the tube and the shock shaft is attached to the vehicle body at the upper spring perch.

Typically McPhereson type strut is used in a steering application (front suspension) and a Champman type strut is used in a non-steering application (rear suspension).

If you've ever removed it, you'll know what it's all about. Else, picture is worth a thousand words indeed!

[BigKriss]

shocks

[vping]

Well at the time of my inspection he said I needed front struts and upper strut bushings. I just want to try and locate these so I can order them and install them.

[AngryPopTart]

Struts do include an integrated shock absorber, but a shock on it's own never has a mounting plate for the spring or the ability to act as part of the spindle assembly. Obviously, our cars have struts. Just about any truck has shocks and no struts. In fact if I think about it, struts pretty much go hand-in-hand with unibody cars.

[vping]

Does anyone have any experience with these? Again no affiliation, just trying to get new struts.

Are these better than OEM? I figured if I am changing them, I might make it handle a little better too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-...m160240171260&

[repenttokyo]

i put bilstein Sports on my car, 189 is really really cheap for 4 shocks.

[Dave M]

front shocks and rear drum brake pads please