What'* the difference between shocks and struts? I heard before, but I forgot.

Shocks provide resistance by forcing hydraulic fluid (oil) through valves in the piston as it moves up and down. Because the oil cannot be compressed, only a certain amount of fluid can be forced through these valves, which creates resistance to vehicle movement.

Struts integrate numerous suspension parts into one compact assembly, including the coil spring, spring seats, shock absorber, strut bearing, and steering knuckle. Its spring can support the weight of the vehicle, while moving to adapt to road irregularities. The internal shock absorber dampens movement of the spring as it compresses and rebounds during vehicle travel. The strut housing serves as a structural part of the suspension system and connects the upper strut bearing to the lower ball joint so that the entire assembly can pivot when the steering wheel is turned.

Ah, I see. Thanks.

a strut is a hydraulic dampner (same as a shock absorber) that is specifically designed for the mcpherson (sic) strut type suspension (single lwr control arm-and the strut that bolts solid to the spindle/knuckle and is in essence the upper control arm but with the vehicles spring on the strut (similar to a coil over shock-but different) and to a bearing plate that lets the strut rotate so that the tires can steer-the macpherson strut suspension is typically used in FWD cars
Shocks on the other hand are generally just the hydraulic dampner that bolts to two points on a conventional suspension to control wheel motion a shock is used on torsion bar suspensions, upper/lwer A arm suspension (equal or unequal length) and on live axle suspensions (the axle held in place with leaf springs or coil springs with multiple control arms.
FWD grand prix is 4 wheel macpherson strut
a 75 Grand prix (RWD) has shocks (double A arm front suspension and 4 link live axle rear.

hope this answers yur question
regards james

93 sle beat me by 5 minutes lol guess i shouldnt have stopped and taken a crap lol

laymens - A shock slows down the Travel, a strut controls it.

On my struts i can push them closed (albeit very slowly) and they don't pop up. However a shock will rebound. It'* kinda scary when you're just thinking they'll rebound and you forget they're just dampers, you look down and see them closed (oh (*&^ WHAT DId i do!)

... I get it, I get it...

We're explaining it for the lil kids