4WD SUSPENSION

Page 5 of 7

Coil-over Shocks

A coil-over shock is not a strut. A coil-over shock does nothing to locate the wheel like a strut does. As its name suggests, it consists of a coil spring mounted over a shock absorber sharing one axis and one top mount.

GOOD POINTS

A coil-over shock allows a strong top spring mount to be welded to the chassis rail. This type of suspension is used on both separate-chassis 4WDs and monocoque vehicles. Side loading forces from the wheels do not affect the shock absorber, and this allows it to concentrate on damping spring movements, enhancing handling. Packaging the spring and shock together saves space. This allows it to be used in double-wishbone suspensions.

BAD POINTS

One disadvantage is for the engineers who have to design the front suspension so that the shocks miss the driveshaft and upper wishbone. It is more difficult to change springs and shocks with this set-up compared with a separate coil and shock arrangement, and shock-absorber eye bushes wear out faster because of the spring loads applied to them.

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