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Q. Which term, shock or strut, is correct to use in reference to the rear OEM Festiva suspension ?
Shock.
Why? The shock in the rear suspension of the Festiva main purpose is to dampen spring oscillation (has a secondary purpose of facilitating mounting for the spring ). Neither of these two aspects combined make these a strut in automotive terminology.
A strut is an integral part of the design of the suspension geometry and it's location directly affects wheel position. A shock does not affect wheel position. If I moved the top of the rear Festiva shock over 5 mm, doing so would have no bearing on static camber.
Spring dependency matters not. Shocks with and w/o springs exist, struts with and w/o springs exist also.
Whether a strut or shock is load bearing means nothing in and of itself. The Festiva rear shock is load bearing, being the suspension spring is attached to it; alternating vertical loads mainly, supporting vehicle weight and spring compression ( body roll, suspension jounce and rebound ).
10/21/02
Shock.
Why? The shock in the rear suspension of the Festiva main purpose is to dampen spring oscillation (has a secondary purpose of facilitating mounting for the spring ). Neither of these two aspects combined make these a strut in automotive terminology.
A strut is an integral part of the design of the suspension geometry and it's location directly affects wheel position. A shock does not affect wheel position. If I moved the top of the rear Festiva shock over 5 mm, doing so would have no bearing on static camber.
Spring dependency matters not. Shocks with and w/o springs exist, struts with and w/o springs exist also.
Whether a strut or shock is load bearing means nothing in and of itself. The Festiva rear shock is load bearing, being the suspension spring is attached to it; alternating vertical loads mainly, supporting vehicle weight and spring compression ( body roll, suspension jounce and rebound ).
10/21/02
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