Shocks or struts?

Pardon the probably very obvious question. I'm planning to replace my
shock absorbers this weekend (as long as I get the job done before the
Bears get humiliated on the field!). So I stopped by my local
autozone to make sure they had a spring compressor and the guy at the
counter asked me if I was replacing shocks or struts. I assume
shocks, but I really have to confess I don't know the difference.
What am I replacing? And what is a strut (other than a fancy walk)?

Thanks.

In article .com>,
"Mark" > wrote:

> What am I replacing? And what is a strut (other than a fancy walk)?

The Miata has coil-over shocks. A MacPherson strut contains a shock
absorber, but also provides location of the suspension. The Miata's
wheels are located by wishbones, and its shocks do not bear any
cornering loads.

That said, a strut-type compressor may be the right one to use on a
Miata.

On Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:38:54 GMT, Lanny Chambers
> wrote:

>In article .com>,
> "Mark" > wrote:
>
>> What am I replacing? And what is a strut (other than a fancy walk)?
>
>The Miata has coil-over shocks. A MacPherson strut contains a shock
>absorber, but also provides location of the suspension. The Miata's
>wheels are located by wishbones, and its shocks do not bear any
>cornering loads.
>
>That said, a strut-type compressor may be the right one to use on a
>Miata.

Yes, the layout of the shock and spring on a McPherson strut is
similar to the Miata. I used a spring compressor sold for use on
McPherson struts and it worked fine.
Take care, there is a lot of stored energy in those springs when
compressed.

Mark wrote:
> Pardon the probably very obvious question. I'm planning to replace my
> shock absorbers this weekend (as long as I get the job done before the
> Bears get humiliated on the field!). So I stopped by my local
> autozone to make sure they had a spring compressor and the guy at the
> counter asked me if I was replacing shocks or struts. I assume
> shocks, but I really have to confess I don't know the difference.
> What am I replacing? And what is a strut (other than a fancy walk)?

I would call the shock/spring/topmount assembly a strut, but if they're
thinking of a McPherson strut (the cheaper front suspension option,
using a beefy shock and no upper wishbone), no, it's not one of those.

What the Miata doesn't have is fully separated springs and shock
absorbers, which were very common on old sports cars and are seen on
some new ones too.

Zog,

If you would call it a strut, then you would be wrong. 1989 thru 2005
has a full double wishbone suspention system at all four points on the
car.


Bruce Bing '03 LS

BRUCE HASKIN wrote:
> Zog,
>
> If you would call it a strut, then you would be wrong. 1989 thru 2005
> has a full double wishbone suspention system at all four points on the
> car.

I know, but "strut" seems a good word for the shock/spring assembly,
which can be removed as a unit. "Coilover" is better, I know, but
"coilovers" tend to have adjustable lower spring platforms.

On Feb 2, 10:18 am, Zog The Undeniable > wrote:
> BRUCE HASKIN wrote:
> > Zog,
>
> > If you would call it a strut, then you would be wrong. 1989 thru 2005
> > has a full double wishbone suspention system at all four points on the
> > car.
>
> I know, but "strut" seems a good word for the shock/spring assembly,
> which can be removed as a unit. "Coilover" is better, I know, but
> "coilovers" tend to have adjustable lower spring platforms.

Wow, before I asked I had to worry about struts vs. shocks. Now I
have coil-overs to throw in the mix! :-)

But the ultimate question is what type of spring compressor do I use,
and the only answer I've got so far is that a strut type compressor is
probably ok. Any other opinions before I wade into this this weekend?

Thanks.

In article om>,
"Mark" > wrote:

> But the ultimate question is what type of spring compressor do I use,
> and the only answer I've got so far is that a strut type compressor is
> probably ok. Any other opinions before I wade into this this weekend?

If they offer a big one and a little one, take the little one. There's
not much space between a Miata spring's coils.

A better idea is to remove the spring/shock units from the car and take
them to a machine shop to have the springs remounted on the new shocks.
They'll charge you a few bucks, but you won't wreck your arms twisting
compressor bolts for an hour, and will sidestep the potential danger of
the compressor coming loose under tension. This assumes you have
alternative transportation, of course.

"Mark" > wrote:

> But the ultimate question is what type of spring compressor do I
> use, and the only answer I've got so far is that a strut type
> compressor is probably ok. Any other opinions before I wade into
> this this weekend?

http://www.miata.net/garage/shocks.html

Use a spring compressor or alternatively get a helper who can hold the
springs compressed, there's a reporter for the Daily Planet named Clark
Kent who can do this for you....

If you decide to forge ahead, I highly recommend an air ratchet. The first
time I did this I did all the turning by hand and that's pretty much a night
mare! This job is trickier than it might seem with little subtle things
causing you to take steps backwards quite often until you've learned the
details. As said, the spring compressors are your friend but they will turn
on you if you don't treat them right :-) Tighten them evenly, keeping the
spring as straight as possible and be patient, hurrying will just get you
'do-overs'. Oh, the other thing that was a surprise to me the first go-round
was shock boots (dust covers). If they're really ratty/ deteriorated, you
should replace them. Shop around, prices vary HUGELY! I think I've seen them
from $25 ea down to about $35 for the set of 4. Of course, quality will vary
some but that's ridiculous, they are mostly just to keep debris away from
the plunger rod. Also pay attention to whether they include a bumpstop or if
it's a separate item (IIRC). If I remember right you might be able to cut
your old bumpstops from the old boots if they are decent shape and you buy a
set of boots w/o bumpstops. It's been awhile though since I originally did
this.

This is probably a 4~5 hr job at home in the garage / driveway but first
time figure you might need 6~8 hours to complete it.

Chris
99BBB

"XS11E" > wrote in message
.. .
> "Mark" > wrote:
>
>> But the ultimate question is what type of spring compressor do I
>> use, and the only answer I've got so far is that a strut type
>> compressor is probably ok. Any other opinions before I wade into
>> this this weekend?
>
> http://www.miata.net/garage/shocks.html
>
> Use a spring compressor or alternatively get a helper who can hold the
> springs compressed, there's a reporter for the Daily Planet named Clark
> Kent who can do this for you....
>
>
>