This may be a easy question for everyone to answer for me, but what exactly is a strut? I thought this was another name for a shock. I've looked in manuals and so forth, but really doesn't expalin a strut well enough. Answers appreciated :-) Street.

Probably more than you'll ever want to know about McPherson Struts:

http://www.users.bigpond.com/jack_stands/automotive_advice/car_suspension/Mcpherson_struts/struts_1.html

--
don hodgdon '89 744ti, '81 242t, '71 D-35

A strut cartridge is like a shock but it is inserted into a housing with a coil spring around it which is refered to as a strut. A shock is bolted to the chassis and body with a separate spring - coil or leaf mounted behind or beside the shock. The strut assembly is usually refered to a McPhearson strut. The strut assembly requires the use of a spring compressor to remove the spring for stock applications while the rear coil spring shock combo does not. Hope this helps.
--
92 244 lowered, Bilsteins, IPD sways, Unitek cam/header, TSW Revo 18x8's - 94 965 Niiice MONEY PIT! - 76 Datsun 280Z lowered, modified head, cam, headers, intake

Well, a strut is basically an all-in-one deal that includes the shock and the spring. It is a way of reducing the amount of space taken up by suspension components. When you replace a strut, you are really only replacing a strut cartridge which is basically a shock abosorber. Somehow this is differnet from a coil over shock and maybe someone else can clarify all this better then me, but that's my understanding of it.

--
Portland, OR 1987 240 dl wagon (not so rusty anymore) 'rustbucket'

A coil over is still a strut but you have a threaded sleave and spring perch that allows for adjustable ride height. This coil over spring is also smaller in diameter allowing for wider wheels to be installed. Depending on the poundage of the spring it usually amounts to quite a stiff ride necessary for racing.
--
92 244 lowered, Bilsteins, IPD sways, Unitek cam/header, TSW Revo 18x8's - 94 965 Niiice MONEY PIT! - 76 Datsun 280Z lowered, modified head, cam, headers, intake