Strut

A strut is a structural component designed to resist longitudinal compression. Struts provide outwards-facing support in their lengthwise direction, which can be used to keep two other components separate, performing the opposite function of a tie. They are commonly used in architecture and engineering.

As components of an automobile chassis, struts can be passive braces to reinforce the chassis and/or body, or active components of the suspension. An automotive suspension strut combines the primary function of a shock absorber (as a damper), with the ability to support sideways loads not along its axis of compression, somewhat similar to a sliding pillar suspension, thus eliminating the need for an upper suspension arm. This means that a strut must have a more rugged design, with mounting points near its middle for attachment of such loads.

The most common form of strut in an automobile is the MacPherson strut. MacPherson struts are often purchased by the automakers in sets of four completed sub-assemblies: These can be mounted on the car bodies as part of the manufacturers' own assembly operations. The MacPherson strut combines a shock absorber and a spring in a single unit, by means of which each wheel is attached to the car body.

Transportation-related struts are used in "load bearing" applications ranging from both highway and off-road suspensions to automobile hood and hatch window supports to aircraft wing supports. In vehicle suspension systems, struts are most commonly an assembly of coil-over spring and shock absorber. Other variants to using a coil-over spring as the compressible load bearer include support via pressurized nitrogen gas acting as the spring, and rigid (hard tail) support which provides neither longitudinal compression/extension nor damping.

Signs of strut failure include a popping or clicking noise when the steering wheel of the vehicle is turned, especially when the vehicle is not in motion. This noise is caused by a worn out bearing. Most strut failure is gradual, and becomes evident as a more "trampoline"-like ride, rough travel over bumps, and tire noise/ vibrations. This wear affects all of the strut components in a feedback loop: the more worn out the shock absorbers become, the more worn out the spring will become, the more worn out the mount will become, and the more this will affect the shock absorbers. A tendency for the front of the vehicle to "nose dive" when applying the brakes and to rear upwards ("squatting") when accelerating are other signs of strut failure, as is difficulty handling the vehicle generally. These symptoms will only tend to worsen until the struts are replaced with new components (struts cannot be repaired when worn out, but must be removed entirely). Many strut "replacements" on non-commercial vehicles are in fact only replacements of the shock absorber and not the other components.

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Wikipedia