What is a strut plate?
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What is a strut plate?
Well i hit something on the higway at like 80 the other day (long story) and blew all the shocks and some other stuff but the mechanic i took it to said i need a new strut plate, can somebody help me identify what it is maybe with a description or pic...thx alot guyz
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From: NASCAR WOOOO
Re: What is a strut plate? (eric8876)
no such thing. integra's dont have shocks either, they have struts. maybe the g1 teg has shocks on the rear, i dont know. DC's and DA's have struts. its an SLA integrated strut setup. w/ a funky knuckle that is incredibly long compared w/ other double wishbone systems.
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From: Nowhere and Everywhere
Re: What is a strut plate? (3.504)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 3.504 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">no such thing. integra's dont have shocks either, they have struts. maybe the g1 teg has shocks on the rear, i dont know. DC's and DA's have struts. its an SLA integrated strut setup. w/ a funky knuckle that is incredibly long compared w/ other double wishbone systems.</TD></TR></TABLE>
um no, Integras have coilover shocks, NOT struts.
The new Civics and RSX's have struts up front, but still use coilover shocks in back.
What the hell did you hit to blow ALL the shocks on the car???
um no, Integras have coilover shocks, NOT struts.
The new Civics and RSX's have struts up front, but still use coilover shocks in back.
What the hell did you hit to blow ALL the shocks on the car???
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From: indialanitc, fl, usa
Re: What is a strut plate? (PatrickGSR94)
struts are an integral in defining suspension geometry; they abosorb up/down, F/R, and R/L forces.
shocks merely dampen the up/down movement of the suspension; they are not a defining member of the suspension geometry.
The 3G Integra has shocks all around. G4s have struts up front, shocks in back.
shocks merely dampen the up/down movement of the suspension; they are not a defining member of the suspension geometry.
The 3G Integra has shocks all around. G4s have struts up front, shocks in back.
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From: NASCAR WOOOO
Re: What is a strut plate? (steven975)
strut = something you can't take away
shock = something you can take away
can you take away an integras strut and still drive? no
can you take away an s10's shocks on the rear axle and drive? yes
they are struts. the suspension setup on g2-g3 tegs and civics going from the mid 80's up are whats known as an SLA (short long arm) or double wishbone. the rsx and new civics have the macphearson which is the same as most other non honda imports other. the macphearson has no upper control arm. does the integra have an upper control arm? yes it does.
shock = something you can take away
can you take away an integras strut and still drive? no
can you take away an s10's shocks on the rear axle and drive? yes
they are struts. the suspension setup on g2-g3 tegs and civics going from the mid 80's up are whats known as an SLA (short long arm) or double wishbone. the rsx and new civics have the macphearson which is the same as most other non honda imports other. the macphearson has no upper control arm. does the integra have an upper control arm? yes it does.
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Re: What is a strut plate? (3.504)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 3.504 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">strut = something you can't take away
they are struts.
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no.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
A strut is the load-bearing member of the MacPherson/Chapman Strut suspension design. A shock absorber, or more correctly a damper, is the thing in your suspension that counteracts the movement of the springs in order to stop the car from constantly bouncing up and down over and over after you hit a bump in the road.
Now here's where the confusion comes from: The strut and the shock absorber are integrated together in a strut type suspension. They are two different things, but they come in one package all integrated together. It is not a major problem, but since I'm writing this anyway, I thought I'd clear that up. So even though the strut and shock absorber are integrated into the same housing basically, they are two different things...the strut bears the weight of the car, effectively holding the car up, and the shock absorbers counteract the movement of the springs. So cars with a MacPherson Strut suspension have BOTH struts and shocks.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
On integras the spring bears the weight of the car.
If I had to guess what the mechanic was getting at, it would be the shock hat.
they are struts.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
no.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
A strut is the load-bearing member of the MacPherson/Chapman Strut suspension design. A shock absorber, or more correctly a damper, is the thing in your suspension that counteracts the movement of the springs in order to stop the car from constantly bouncing up and down over and over after you hit a bump in the road.
Now here's where the confusion comes from: The strut and the shock absorber are integrated together in a strut type suspension. They are two different things, but they come in one package all integrated together. It is not a major problem, but since I'm writing this anyway, I thought I'd clear that up. So even though the strut and shock absorber are integrated into the same housing basically, they are two different things...the strut bears the weight of the car, effectively holding the car up, and the shock absorbers counteract the movement of the springs. So cars with a MacPherson Strut suspension have BOTH struts and shocks.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
On integras the spring bears the weight of the car.
If I had to guess what the mechanic was getting at, it would be the shock hat.
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From: NASCAR WOOOO
Re: What is a strut plate? (StyleTEG)
so you're saying an integra's STRUT doesn't bear weight? the spring on an integra hits control arm or chassis???? NO IT DOESN'T
strut = intregal... can't remove it or else the car can not support its own weight
shock = can remove it, it just dampens the spring.
in both cases, springs carry the weight. on a strut setup, the spring is mounted to the strut rather than the frame or a control arm. the strut dampening portion carry's no vehicle weight. the body of the strut does. so the bolded portion of the post style teg just made and post steven975 made both tell what a strut is and proove integra's have struts.
think about this... its simple: does your integras dampener hold weight? does it have a spring perch on the strut body and does the strut body bolt to a control arm??? YES IT DOES. there are a few different designs that incorporate a strut. macphearson is most common. honda is one of the only auto manufacterers to use a strut incorporated SLA setup. honda's setup is racecar-like.
ASE tests call honda dampeners (for integras and such like them) STRUTS.
strut = intregal... can't remove it or else the car can not support its own weight
shock = can remove it, it just dampens the spring.
in both cases, springs carry the weight. on a strut setup, the spring is mounted to the strut rather than the frame or a control arm. the strut dampening portion carry's no vehicle weight. the body of the strut does. so the bolded portion of the post style teg just made and post steven975 made both tell what a strut is and proove integra's have struts.
think about this... its simple: does your integras dampener hold weight? does it have a spring perch on the strut body and does the strut body bolt to a control arm??? YES IT DOES. there are a few different designs that incorporate a strut. macphearson is most common. honda is one of the only auto manufacterers to use a strut incorporated SLA setup. honda's setup is racecar-like.
ASE tests call honda dampeners (for integras and such like them) STRUTS.
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Re: What is a strut plate? (3.504)
an integra and most other hondas have struts. a strut is made up of the spring, sitting on a perch (sometimes called a tree), with the shock absorber going up the middle of the spring coil. the shock fits into the perch. the strut cannot be removed if the car is to drive. an integra does have shocks, but all cars have shocks. the shock is not a focus of a honda suspension. a honda has struts. to say a honda has shocks is just the same as saying a honda has springs, sway bars, control arms, etc. Just the same. no different.
3.504 brought up a good point. the strut body carries the weight of the vechicle. you cannot take away the strut (spring, shock absorber, perch) and drive a honda. not possible. take the shock off of any truck. it will drive fine, it will just bounce a lot when you hit bumps, because you've taken away the shock absorber. a vehicle that does not have struts has the shock and the spring in two different locations. the shock doesn't ride inside of the spring coil. you can remove the shock in a matter of minutes, without fooling with the spring, control arms etc.
to answer the original question, by a 'strut plate', i would think the technician means the perch that the spring sits on. but i dunno why that would go bad. its just a sold piece of metal, there's nothing to it.
*EDIT: a shock, properly called a shock absorber, only absorbs the bumps in the road. it is not the focus of any suspension, and it can be done without.*
Modified by Train at 8:13 AM 8/26/2004
3.504 brought up a good point. the strut body carries the weight of the vechicle. you cannot take away the strut (spring, shock absorber, perch) and drive a honda. not possible. take the shock off of any truck. it will drive fine, it will just bounce a lot when you hit bumps, because you've taken away the shock absorber. a vehicle that does not have struts has the shock and the spring in two different locations. the shock doesn't ride inside of the spring coil. you can remove the shock in a matter of minutes, without fooling with the spring, control arms etc.
to answer the original question, by a 'strut plate', i would think the technician means the perch that the spring sits on. but i dunno why that would go bad. its just a sold piece of metal, there's nothing to it.
*EDIT: a shock, properly called a shock absorber, only absorbs the bumps in the road. it is not the focus of any suspension, and it can be done without.*
Modified by Train at 8:13 AM 8/26/2004
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From: Nowhere and Everywhere
Re: What is a strut plate? (Train)
I believe what you and 3.504 refer to as a "strut" on most Hondas from the 1990's is more properly called a "coilover shock". The shock sits inside the spring. The coilover shock assembly still serves to only control up/down motion of the suspension. That's all it does, no lateral forces are subjected to it. You can remove the coilover shock assembly and the suspension will still retain the same geometry, i.e. you can set the car on the ground w/o the coilover shock assembly, it will just look super slammed if you do.
A strut not only controls the up/down motion of the suspension, it is also an integra part of the suspension geomtry and is subjected to fore/aft and lateral forces when accelerating, braking, turning, etc. in addition to the normal up/down forces from the suspension movement. That's why a strut assembly is so much bigger than a normal spring and shock or coilover shock assembly.
So here's the breakdown:
Most trucks have separate springs and shocks, at least on the back, or whenever leaf springs are used. Some have coilover shocks in front, like my dad's old Tacoma.
Many German cars have McPherson struts up front, and separate coil springs and shocks in back.
Most economy small and midsize cars today have McPherson struts all around.
Newer Civics and RSX's have McPherson struts up front, and coilover shocks in back.
88-00 Civics and 90-01 Integras have coilover shocks all around.
Note: what most people on here and in the impot/sport compact community think of as a "coilover" is more correctly called an "adjustable coilover" where you have a threaded damper body that allows for adjustable ride height and/or spring preload.
That is all, thank you can goodnight.
A strut not only controls the up/down motion of the suspension, it is also an integra part of the suspension geomtry and is subjected to fore/aft and lateral forces when accelerating, braking, turning, etc. in addition to the normal up/down forces from the suspension movement. That's why a strut assembly is so much bigger than a normal spring and shock or coilover shock assembly.
So here's the breakdown:
Most trucks have separate springs and shocks, at least on the back, or whenever leaf springs are used. Some have coilover shocks in front, like my dad's old Tacoma.
Many German cars have McPherson struts up front, and separate coil springs and shocks in back.
Most economy small and midsize cars today have McPherson struts all around.
Newer Civics and RSX's have McPherson struts up front, and coilover shocks in back.
88-00 Civics and 90-01 Integras have coilover shocks all around.
Note: what most people on here and in the impot/sport compact community think of as a "coilover" is more correctly called an "adjustable coilover" where you have a threaded damper body that allows for adjustable ride height and/or spring preload.
That is all, thank you can goodnight.
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Re: What is a strut plate? (eric8876)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eric8876 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well i hit something on the higway at like 80 the other day (long story) and blew all the shocks and some other stuff but the mechanic i took it to said i need a new strut plate, can somebody help me identify what it is maybe with a description or pic...thx alot guyz</TD></TR></TABLE>
Back on topic, you should probably find out wtf the mechanic is talking about when referring to a "strut plate". Make sure he's not making **** up or replacing items that don't need replacing. I see that kind of **** happen all the time where they take advantage of customers really bad.
P.S. Oh yea, if they are coilover shocks, why do they call them "strut tower bars"?
Back on topic, you should probably find out wtf the mechanic is talking about when referring to a "strut plate". Make sure he's not making **** up or replacing items that don't need replacing. I see that kind of **** happen all the time where they take advantage of customers really bad.
P.S. Oh yea, if they are coilover shocks, why do they call them "strut tower bars"?
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From: Nowhere and Everywhere
Re: What is a strut plate? (Honda Hick)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Honda Hick »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Back on topic, you should probably find out wtf the mechanic is talking about when referring to a "strut plate". Make sure he's not making **** up or replacing items that don't need replacing. I see that kind of **** happen all the time where they take advantage of customers really bad.
P.S. Oh yea, if they are coilover shocks, why do they call them "strut tower bars"? </TD></TR></TABLE>
Because unedumacated people don't know the correct term.
Strut tower braces obviously go on cars w/ struts in the front.
The bars that come stock on some Hondas and all the aftermarket ones for Hondas are really called shock tower braces.
And I agree, get the mechanic to explain exactly what he was referring to.
Back on topic, you should probably find out wtf the mechanic is talking about when referring to a "strut plate". Make sure he's not making **** up or replacing items that don't need replacing. I see that kind of **** happen all the time where they take advantage of customers really bad.
P.S. Oh yea, if they are coilover shocks, why do they call them "strut tower bars"?
</TD></TR></TABLE>Because unedumacated people don't know the correct term.
Strut tower braces obviously go on cars w/ struts in the front.
The bars that come stock on some Hondas and all the aftermarket ones for Hondas are really called shock tower braces.
And I agree, get the mechanic to explain exactly what he was referring to.
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Re: What is a strut plate? (3.504)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
so you're saying an integra's STRUT doesn't bear weight?
</TD></TR></TABLE>
No, it doesn't. It is mearly a mounting point for the spring.
It does not bear the weight. You could remove the shock and it would be drivable (all be it, uncomfortable) if you could mount the spring elsewhere.
Do that on a MacStrut car, and you can't steer because the shock shaft itself is used as the kingpin & steering knuckle.
Just because a car ISN'T MULTILINK, doesn't mean it has struts
so you're saying an integra's STRUT doesn't bear weight?
</TD></TR></TABLE>
No, it doesn't. It is mearly a mounting point for the spring.
It does not bear the weight. You could remove the shock and it would be drivable (all be it, uncomfortable) if you could mount the spring elsewhere.
Do that on a MacStrut car, and you can't steer because the shock shaft itself is used as the kingpin & steering knuckle.
Just because a car ISN'T MULTILINK, doesn't mean it has struts
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Re: What is a strut plate? (StyleTEG)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PatrickGSR94 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I believe what you and 3.504 refer to as a "strut" on most Hondas from the 1990's is more properly called a "coilover shock". ... </TD></TR></TABLE>
a coilover shock is a shock, usually heavy duty (extra firm dampening), with a coil spring added. however, it does not have a body like a strut has. the bottom of the shock absorber bolts to the frame, body, or axles of the vehicle, and this unit is used to compensate for heavy loads. (not a honda thing). a real coilover is just as you said... just a coil spring. aftermarket coilovers are adjustable coilovers. this isn't getting through to you guys. a strut is a body that houses the spring and shock absorber. each piece is removable, but its all integrated. when 3.504 and i say "strut", we're referring to the strut body, spring, and shock absorber. its all one unit.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by StyleTEG »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
No, it doesn't. It is mearly a mounting point for the spring.
It does not bear the weight. You could remove the shock and it would be drivable (all be it, uncomfortable) if you could mount the spring elsewhere.
Do that on a MacStrut car, and you can't steer because the shock shaft itself is used as the kingpin & steering knuckle.
Just because a car ISN'T MULTILINK, doesn't mean it has struts</TD></TR></TABLE>
look at what i have italicized (sp? ). 3.504 said the strut bears the weight. you said the shock. a strut and a shock are not the same thing.
lol, the strut body is bolted to the control arms. if it doesn't bear weight, what does?? the strut is the body that the spring and shock absorber rides in. the coil spring sits on the perch and the shock absorber rides in the middle of the spring. the strut body has flanges that bolt it to the control arms. if the strut doesn't carry the vehicle's weight, i'd like you to tell me what does.
Modified by Train at 11:48 PM 8/26/2004
a coilover shock is a shock, usually heavy duty (extra firm dampening), with a coil spring added. however, it does not have a body like a strut has. the bottom of the shock absorber bolts to the frame, body, or axles of the vehicle, and this unit is used to compensate for heavy loads. (not a honda thing). a real coilover is just as you said... just a coil spring. aftermarket coilovers are adjustable coilovers. this isn't getting through to you guys. a strut is a body that houses the spring and shock absorber. each piece is removable, but its all integrated. when 3.504 and i say "strut", we're referring to the strut body, spring, and shock absorber. its all one unit.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by StyleTEG »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
No, it doesn't. It is mearly a mounting point for the spring.
It does not bear the weight. You could remove the shock and it would be drivable (all be it, uncomfortable) if you could mount the spring elsewhere.
Do that on a MacStrut car, and you can't steer because the shock shaft itself is used as the kingpin & steering knuckle.
Just because a car ISN'T MULTILINK, doesn't mean it has struts
</TD></TR></TABLE>look at what i have italicized (sp?
). 3.504 said the strut bears the weight. you said the shock. a strut and a shock are not the same thing.lol, the strut body is bolted to the control arms. if it doesn't bear weight, what does?? the strut is the body that the spring and shock absorber rides in. the coil spring sits on the perch and the shock absorber rides in the middle of the spring. the strut body has flanges that bolt it to the control arms. if the strut doesn't carry the vehicle's weight, i'd like you to tell me what does.
Modified by Train at 11:48 PM 8/26/2004
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Re: What is a strut plate? (Train)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
a strut and a shock are not the same thing.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
No ****, I said shock because there is no strut to remove.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Train »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> if the strut doesn't carry the vehicle's weight, i'd like you to tell me what does.
Modified by Train at 11:48 PM 8/26/2004</TD></TR></TABLE>
The spring.
Its just design that the spring is mounted on the shock itself.
Again, you could mount the spring elsewhere and still drive, you just wouldn't have any means of controling the kenetic energy of the spring.
On vehicles with struts, you can NOT do this. As again, the strut acts as the steering knuckle and the kingpin.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Struts are usually taller than a double wishbone, where the spring (typically) rides inside the 'v' of the upper wishbone. With torsion bars or transverse leaf, you can go lower still, though you still have to fit a shock in there somewhere (unless you have pushrod activated shocks).
</TD></TR></TABLE>
You don't have struts on a double wishbone suspension.
a strut and a shock are not the same thing.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
No ****, I said shock because there is no strut to remove.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Train »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> if the strut doesn't carry the vehicle's weight, i'd like you to tell me what does.
Modified by Train at 11:48 PM 8/26/2004</TD></TR></TABLE>
The spring.
Its just design that the spring is mounted on the shock itself.
Again, you could mount the spring elsewhere and still drive, you just wouldn't have any means of controling the kenetic energy of the spring.
On vehicles with struts, you can NOT do this. As again, the strut acts as the steering knuckle and the kingpin.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Struts are usually taller than a double wishbone, where the spring (typically) rides inside the 'v' of the upper wishbone. With torsion bars or transverse leaf, you can go lower still, though you still have to fit a shock in there somewhere (unless you have pushrod activated shocks).
</TD></TR></TABLE>
You don't have struts on a double wishbone suspension.
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Re: What is a strut plate? (Train)
the hondas we're speaking of have a combination strut/SLA (Short, Long Arm) suspension. an SLA suspension consists of two control arms. the bottom or lower control arm (LCA) is longer than the upper control arm (UCA). this reduces track change and tire scrub.
the strut has a fork that bolts to the LCA. it does not pivot with the steering knuckle, giving it the steering geometry of an SLA suspension.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Honda Hick »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Back on topic, you should probably find out wtf the mechanic is talking about when referring to a "strut plate". Make sure he's not making **** up or replacing items that don't need replacing. I see that kind of **** happen all the time where they take advantage of customers really bad.
P.S. Oh yea, if they are coilover shocks, why do they call them "strut tower bars"? </TD></TR></TABLE>
i agree with this guy. go to the technician and find out exactly what he's talking about. look over the geometry of the suspension and familiarize yourself with its parts and how it works. that way you'll know if he's BSing you or not. good luck.
the strut has a fork that bolts to the LCA. it does not pivot with the steering knuckle, giving it the steering geometry of an SLA suspension.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Honda Hick »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Back on topic, you should probably find out wtf the mechanic is talking about when referring to a "strut plate". Make sure he's not making **** up or replacing items that don't need replacing. I see that kind of **** happen all the time where they take advantage of customers really bad.
P.S. Oh yea, if they are coilover shocks, why do they call them "strut tower bars"? </TD></TR></TABLE>
i agree with this guy. go to the technician and find out exactly what he's talking about. look over the geometry of the suspension and familiarize yourself with its parts and how it works. that way you'll know if he's BSing you or not. good luck.
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Re: What is a strut plate? (StyleTEG)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by StyleTEG »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
The spring.
Its just design that the spring is mounted on the shock itself.</TD></TR></TABLE>
if the spring were mounted on the shock, that would mean that the shock carries the weight of the vehicle also. in this case, the spring would exert force on the perch mounted on the shock, and the vehicles weight would push the shock down onto the LCA.
The spring.
Its just design that the spring is mounted on the shock itself.</TD></TR></TABLE>
if the spring were mounted on the shock, that would mean that the shock carries the weight of the vehicle also. in this case, the spring would exert force on the perch mounted on the shock, and the vehicles weight would push the shock down onto the LCA.
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Re: What is a strut plate? (Train)
Our integras have something in-between. It's just a silly semantics issue, because 'strut' can have a couple different meanings. Mostly you guys don't sound like structural engineers, so.......
A spring/shock assembly from an Integra carries compressive loads only. It DOES carry the weight of the car. The load path is thru the top plate, thru the spring, to the spring perch. From that perch, the load path continues down thru the lower body of the shock, thru the fork, to the LCA.
The upper & lower mounting points of the Integra spring/shock asy. are flexible, so the asy. carries no bending loads. That's the big difference.
The strut in a McPherson suspension carries compressive AND BENDING loads. That's the difference. It is rigidly attached to the steering knuckle & it eliminates the need for an upper control arm.
The original question about a strut plate is probably talking generally about the top of the shock tower, the structure where the upper control arm is also attached. Seems to me more likely that other parts are bent, but the mechanic was probably just talking in general terms.
A spring/shock assembly from an Integra carries compressive loads only. It DOES carry the weight of the car. The load path is thru the top plate, thru the spring, to the spring perch. From that perch, the load path continues down thru the lower body of the shock, thru the fork, to the LCA.
The upper & lower mounting points of the Integra spring/shock asy. are flexible, so the asy. carries no bending loads. That's the big difference.
The strut in a McPherson suspension carries compressive AND BENDING loads. That's the difference. It is rigidly attached to the steering knuckle & it eliminates the need for an upper control arm.
The original question about a strut plate is probably talking generally about the top of the shock tower, the structure where the upper control arm is also attached. Seems to me more likely that other parts are bent, but the mechanic was probably just talking in general terms.
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,073
Likes: 59
From: Nowhere and Everywhere
Re: What is a strut plate? (Train)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Train »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
a coilover shock is a shock, usually heavy duty (extra firm dampening), with a coil spring added. however, it does not have a body like a strut has. the bottom of the shock absorber bolts to the frame, body, or axles of the vehicle, and this unit is used to compensate for heavy loads. (not a honda thing). a real coilover is just as you said... just a coil spring. aftermarket coilovers are adjustable coilovers. this isn't getting through to you guys. a strut is a body that houses the spring and shock absorber. each piece is removable, but its all integrated. when 3.504 and i say "strut", we're referring to the strut body, spring, and shock absorber. its all one unit. </TD></TR></TABLE>
So are these silver things not struts?
Of course they are, they are McPherson struts, with Intrax springs there about to be installed on them (suspension for my old 89 Camry).
My Camry had sealed strut housings, to replace them you had to replace the whole strut. Some Camrys, mainly the ones manufactured in Japan, had non-sealed struts, with a strut insert that could be replaced instead of the whole housing. Would this be a shock insert? No, it would be a strut insert. It doesn't have shocks, it has struts.
Do Hondas have strut inserts that can be replaced? No, they have shocks, and when you replace the shock, you replace the whole thing. There is no shock inside the outer visible housing. Inside the housing is the oil or gas that the piston goes into. It is just a shock and a spring, and it's called a coilover shock because *you guessed it* the coil spring sits over the shock.
As StyleTEG and myself have said before, the spring/shock assembly has NO effect on suspension geometry whatsoever. A strut assembly does.
a coilover shock is a shock, usually heavy duty (extra firm dampening), with a coil spring added. however, it does not have a body like a strut has. the bottom of the shock absorber bolts to the frame, body, or axles of the vehicle, and this unit is used to compensate for heavy loads. (not a honda thing). a real coilover is just as you said... just a coil spring. aftermarket coilovers are adjustable coilovers. this isn't getting through to you guys. a strut is a body that houses the spring and shock absorber. each piece is removable, but its all integrated. when 3.504 and i say "strut", we're referring to the strut body, spring, and shock absorber. its all one unit. </TD></TR></TABLE>
So are these silver things not struts?
Of course they are, they are McPherson struts, with Intrax springs there about to be installed on them (suspension for my old 89 Camry).
My Camry had sealed strut housings, to replace them you had to replace the whole strut. Some Camrys, mainly the ones manufactured in Japan, had non-sealed struts, with a strut insert that could be replaced instead of the whole housing. Would this be a shock insert? No, it would be a strut insert. It doesn't have shocks, it has struts.
Do Hondas have strut inserts that can be replaced? No, they have shocks, and when you replace the shock, you replace the whole thing. There is no shock inside the outer visible housing. Inside the housing is the oil or gas that the piston goes into. It is just a shock and a spring, and it's called a coilover shock because *you guessed it* the coil spring sits over the shock.
As StyleTEG and myself have said before, the spring/shock assembly has NO effect on suspension geometry whatsoever. A strut assembly does.
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,073
Likes: 59
From: Nowhere and Everywhere
Re: What is a strut plate? (Honda Hick)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Honda Hick »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Back on topic again; Any word on the "strut plate" and your mechanic?
BTW, just call it a dampener and call it a aday </TD></TR></TABLE>
It's actually damper, no "en" in there.
Just like the newspaper yesterday, there was an article on the front page about lightning from a recent storm catching some houses on fire, and every time the word "lightning" occured in the article, it was spelled "lightening"... I think they need a better proofreader at that newspaper.
BTW, just call it a dampener and call it a aday
</TD></TR></TABLE>It's actually damper, no "en" in there.
Just like the newspaper yesterday, there was an article on the front page about lightning from a recent storm catching some houses on fire, and every time the word "lightning" occured in the article, it was spelled "lightening"... I think they need a better proofreader at that newspaper.
