suspension talk

98GTBlk

New Member
Aug 31, 2003
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Connecticut
ive had a question for the longest time (im still relatively new to the scene), what is the difference between shocks, struts, and coilovers? I know this question must sound kind of foolish but I dont really know the differences.

Thanks guys.
 
A strut is basically a shock absorber with a coil spring inside of it to provide additionally dampening. A shock will have only oil, air, or gas as the dampening medium. The Mustang has struts up front, and shocks in the rear -- this is in addition to the four coiled suspension springs.

A coilover is a shock absorber that has a suspension spring wrapped around it. In the Mustang's stock setup, the suspension springs are physically independent of the shocks/ struts. Coilovers provide better suspensional geometry than the stock setup with the added bonus of the ability to change ride height.

Please feel free to correct or add to my post...
 
that sounds about right. ive seen coilover set ups for the front of the mustangs with the k member and a arms, but what do you do with the rear of the car when you have a coil over set up up front? is there one for the back?

does anyone know how much a coilover allows you to adjust the ride hight?
 
01GT eibach said:
From what I understand, if you go coilovers, you NEED to do it all four corners. Eibach's new coilovers are getting a lot of buzz lately. They are quite affordable, too, from what I understand.


I don't think that is accurate, I know several cars that are running them in the front only.