The suspension system of a car plays a vital role in providing a smooth and comfortable ride while ensuring optimal handling and stability. Among the various components of the suspension system, the strut assembly is a key player. Struts are commonly found in the front suspension of many vehicles and combine the functions of a shock absorber and structural support. In this blog post, we will explore how struts work on a car, highlighting their role in maintaining a balanced and controlled driving experience.
Understanding the Basics of a Strut Assembly
A strut assembly consists of several components working together to provide support, absorb shocks, and maintain the alignment of the wheels. The main components of a typical strut assembly include a coil spring, a strut housing or cartridge, a piston, and a damper or shock absorber. The coil spring provides the primary support and helps to absorb shocks, while the strut housing houses the other components and connects the assembly to the vehicle's body.
Supporting the Vehicle's Weight
One of the primary functions of a strut assembly is to support the weight of the vehicle. The coil spring, located between the upper mount and the lower control arm, bears the majority of the vehicle's weight. By compressing and expanding, the coil spring helps to maintain the ride height and prevent the vehicle from sagging. The strut assembly ensures that the weight is distributed evenly across all four wheels, providing stability and control.
Absorbing Shocks and Vibrations
In addition to supporting the vehicle's weight, the strut assembly plays a crucial role in absorbing shocks and vibrations from the road. When the vehicle encounters bumps, potholes, or uneven surfaces, the strut assembly compresses and extends, allowing the coil spring to absorb the impact. The piston inside the strut housing moves up and down, forcing hydraulic fluid through small ports, which provide resistance to dampen the movement and minimize vibrations. This action helps to maintain a smooth and comfortable ride for the passengers.
Maintaining Wheel Alignment
Another important function of struts is to help maintain proper wheel alignment. The strut assembly connects the upper mount to the lower control arm, serving as a pivot point for the wheel. This connection ensures that the wheels remain in the correct position, parallel to each other and perpendicular to the road surface. Proper wheel alignment is essential for optimal handling, tire wear, and overall vehicle performance. Struts that are worn or damaged can lead to misalignment, resulting in uneven tire wear, steering issues, and compromised handling.
Providing Structural Support
Struts also provide structural support to the vehicle's suspension system. The strut housing or cartridge is securely mounted to the vehicle's body, providing a rigid connection. This structural support helps to distribute the forces and stresses encountered during cornering, braking, and acceleration. By maintaining a stable and controlled suspension system, struts contribute to improved handling, reduced body roll, and enhanced overall vehicle safety.
Conclusion
In conclusion, struts are an integral part of a car's suspension system, serving multiple functions to ensure a balanced and controlled driving experience. By supporting the vehicle's weight, absorbing shocks and vibrations, maintaining wheel alignment, and providing structural support, struts play a crucial role in maintaining stability, improving handling, and enhancing the overall comfort and safety of the vehicle. Regular inspection and maintenance of the strut assembly are essential to ensure optimal performance and longevity of the suspension system.
High-Quality Loaded Struts From GSP North America
GSP has developed a line of loaded struts called Advantedge Loaded Struts. These struts bring an advantage that will outperform the competition and require half the installation time. Engineered to the highest standards, these loaded struts have been designed to OE specifications, are easy to install, and are offered for over 800 different makes and models. Each GSP Advantedge loaded strut carries a 2-year warranty or 30,000 miles, whichever occurs first, giving you the peace of mind that you are purchasing a high-quality part.
Fitment
To ensure quality, factory-like fitment straight out of the box, each GSP Advantedge loaded strut is designed to OE specification with performance and ride quality in mind. You can easily replace your old strut and spring assembly with a direct-replacement design with this all-in-one unit.
Quality
To ensure that each GSP-loaded strut is of the utmost OE quality and performance, each Advantedge strut is submitted to durability and endurance tests. At GSP, we only produce the highest quality products and ensure we test them thoroughly before giving them our approval.
Durability & Performance
GSP's dual-layered, chrome-finished piston rods provide superior corrosion resistance guaranteeing maximum seal life in even the most extreme environments. Where many cheaper and factory struts fail, GSP has ensured you will get great durability and performance from Advantedge struts.
Premium Materials
Each Advantedge loaded strut coil spring has been tuned for correct performance and ride height for your specific vehicle to give your vehicle the perfect strut and spring combination. This allows you to get factory-like ride height with industry-leading performance.
