Do I Need Front Struts?

[ctechbob]

Ooohh ohhhh, can we make this a sticky?

There is certainly a blurred line between shock and strut, but it shouldn't be.

A coil-over shock is what the Ranger has along with double wishbones as has been mentioned.

Can you call it both? I suppose, but you're not technically correct.

You should also call it by its true and proper name, which is MacPherson Strut. Invented all the way back in the mid-1900's. The Ranger still doesn't have a MacPherson Strut. The front damper has nothing to do with the geometry of the suspension, which is the defining factor of a 'Strut'.

Porsche uses a MacPherson strut in some of their 911's without a coil over spring instead using a torsion bar, so having a spring over the damper isn't the defining factor.

Also 'SLA Strut' isn't a thing. SLA is just Short/Long Arm IE Double wishbone suspension. The term 'strut' doesn't fit in there because it isn't.

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[ctechbob]

Funny thing is Ford actually refers to it as a Generator because calling it an Alternator is too cool.

And Power plants call it a generator, even though they create 60hz alternating current. Your point?

A generator and alternator do the exact same thing. A shock and a strut both provide damping, but one provides the upper mount for the suspension whereas a shock only provides damping and doesn't have any control over the suspension geometry through its stroke.

 

[ctechbob]

Correction, the fronts are struts because they support the weight of the vehicle while controlling the weight as well. Shock absorbers only control the vehicle weight. BTW struts don't necessarily have to replace upper control arm just to get the name.

WTF.

The weight of the vehicle is supported by the spring. The dampers have almost nothing to do with it.

Both a shock and a strut provide the damping, or the 'weight control' as you put it.

You really like to spout nonsense sometimes.

 

[got3fords]

WTF.

The weight of the vehicle is supported by the spring. The dampers have almost nothing to do with it.

Both a shock and a strut provide the damping, or the 'weight control' as you put it.

You really like to spout nonsense sometimes.

Truth.

 

[got3fords]

Ooohh ohhhh, can we make this a sticky?

There is certainly a blurred line between shock and strut, but it shouldn't be.

A coil-over shock is what the Ranger has along with double wishbones as has been mentioned.

Can you call it both? I suppose, but you're not technically correct.

You should also call it by its true and proper name, which is MacPherson Strut. Invented all the way back in the mid-1900's. The Ranger still doesn't have a MacPherson Strut. The front damper has nothing to do with the geometry of the suspension, which is the defining factor of a 'Strut'.

Porsche uses a MacPherson strut in some of their 911's without a coil over spring instead using a torsion bar, so having a spring over the damper isn't the defining factor.

Also 'SLA Strut' isn't a thing. SLA is just Short/Long Arm IE Double wishbone suspension. The term 'strut' doesn't fit in there because it isn't.

Speak it man, that's truth!

 

[Frenchy]

WTF.

The weight of the vehicle is supported by the spring. The dampers have almost nothing to do with it.

Both a shock and a strut provide the damping, or the 'weight control' as you put it.

You really like to spout nonsense sometimes.

A strut holds said spring and therefore supports the load while controlling the load. Might want to think before speaking.

 

[ctechbob]

A strut holds said spring and therefore supports the load while controlling the load. Might want to think before speaking.

So does a coil-over shock. You're the one making yourself look like a tool.

 

[got3fords]

A strut holds said spring and therefore supports the load while controlling the load. Might want to think before speaking.

Sorry Frenchy, I think, and research before I speak. The Ranger does not have struts. The Edge does, and it's shown in Ford's parts break down as such. Not so with the Ranger as I have shown.

 

[Frenchy]

Sorry Frenchy, I think, and research before I speak. The Ranger does not have struts. The Edge does, and it's shown in Ford's parts break down as such. Not so with the Ranger as I have shown.

Yes it does sir. Just because one parts book says it isn't a strut does not mean it isn't. Struts don't have to take the job of an upper control arm. I highly suggest you take a look into what SLA Strut suspension is. You might be fascinated.

 

[ctechbob]

Yes it does sir. Just because one parts book says it isn't a strut does not mean it isn't. Struts don't have to take the job of an upper control arm. I highly suggest you take a look into what SLA Strut suspension is. You might be fascinated.

There's no such thing as an SLA Strut.

SLA - Short/Long Arm.

IE Double wishbone.

They don't use struts. Most of them use a coil over shock and some use a torsion bar to provide the spring.

 

[ctechbob]

Even google doesn't agree with you @Frenchy

Christ dude, give it a rest. You keep being wrong and you keep doubling down.

 

[ctechbob]

I mean, the rest of us already know this, but using your words:

 

[got3fords]

Yes it does sir. Just because one parts book says it isn't a strut does not mean it isn't. Struts don't have to take the job of an upper control arm. I highly suggest you take a look into what SLA Strut suspension is. You might be fascinated.

What I am fascinated by is your persistence in being wrong among so much evidence to the contrary.
The Technical Reality: A true strut (like a MacPherson strut) is a structural component of a vehicle's suspension. It eliminates the need for an upper control arm and acts as the actual pivot point for the steering. The Ranger features both upper and lower control arms to handle all of the structural geometry and wheel locating, meaning the coil-over assembly simply supports the weight and dampens the ride.

 

[Frenchy]

What I am fascinated by is your persistence in being wrong among so much evidence to the contrary.
The Technical Reality: A true strut (like a MacPherson strut) is a structural component of a vehicle's suspension. It eliminates the need for an upper control arm and acts as the actual pivot point for the steering. The Ranger features both upper and lower control arms to handle all of the structural geometry and wheel locating, meaning the coil-over assembly simply supports the weight and dampens the ride.

As one that went to tech school and is certified with both Nissan and Ford(yes you read that right), I can tell you that you are miss informed. You have 3 types of independent suspension when it comes to front suspension.

Type 1 is SLA or Short Arm Long Arm Suspension and is very common for older vehicles especially if there is body on frame.

Type 2 as you mentioned is the McPherson Strut which you find on unibody vehicles and yes the top will rotate. At the same time the strut has a seat for the spring and therefore is part of the support structure for the vehicle.

Type 3 which is what I have been telling you all along and is more common than you think is SLA Strut or Sort Arm Long Arm Strut. What's the difference? It combines type 1 and type 2 to help create space. The shock absorber that was there is replaced with a Strut. This Strut houses the spring and therefore becomes part of the support structure for the vehicle. Instead of just controlling the vehicle on bumps, it also keeps ride height maintained. If you remove the Strut then the ride height will be no more.

 

[ctechbob]

Because that's what he does.

As one that went to tech school and is certified with both Nissan and Ford(yes you read that right), I can tell you that you are miss informed. You have 3 types of independent suspension when it comes to front suspension.

Type 1 is SLA or Short Arm Long Arm Suspension and is very common for older vehicles especially if there is body on frame.

Type 2 as you mentioned is the McPherson Strut which you find on unibody vehicles and yes the top will rotate. At the same time the strut has a seat for the spring and therefore is part of the support structure for the vehicle.

Type 3 which is what I have been telling you all along and is more common than you think is SLA Strut or Sort Arm Long Arm Strut. What's the difference? It combines type 1 and type 2 to help create space. The shock absorber that was there is replaced with a Strut. This Strut houses the spring and therefore becomes part of the support structure for the vehicle. Instead of just controlling the vehicle on bumps, it also keeps ride height maintained. If you remove the Strut then the ride height will be no more.

#1 - No one cares. There are plenty of 'certified' people out there that spout wrong shit every.....single....day. Remember your BMS argument that you didn't understand? Certified just means you could read a book and take a test.

I finally figured out what in the hell you're talking about.

You're saying that this:

Is a shock.

But this:

Is an SLA 'Strut'.

You're still wrong, they're both shocks, one is just a coil over. Yes, it is a more compact unit than the divorced setup, but it is still a shock. A coil-over shock. No one uses that first design anymore at any rate because technology has progressed.

You are literally the only person that has ever used the term 'SLA Strut' in my 30+ years of doing this shit.

Struts take the place of the upper control arm.... Period..... Quit trying to force a term on to something you believe in your head to be correct.

Also, there are unibody vehicles that don't use struts. Miata comes to mind. They are also a coil over multi wishbone front (and rear) suspension design.

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