Struts

A strut is a support consisting of a bar or rod used to resist longitudinal compression. Its main purpose is to strengthen a framework making it strong yet separated from one another. In the automotive world, the term strut is used as an automotive suspension and works as a shock absorber, but is used with a different type of front suspension that eliminates the need for an upper suspension arm. It has the capacity to shoulder sideways loads not along its axis of contraction. This component can be found in the chassis where they can be passive braces to reinforce the chassis and/or body, or active components of the suspension.

There are two types of struts: the serviceable which are designed with a threaded body nut and the sealed struts which permanently retains the cartridge by means of a cap. There are also two kinds of struts that are being used in vehicles: MacPherson strut and the Chapman strut. The MacPherson strut is a more common strut that is widely used on modern vehicles. Named after Earl S. MacPherson, an engineer who developed the design for the 1951 Ford Consul and later Zephyr, the MacPherson strut is used for both rear and front suspension, but usually found in the front because it provides a steering pivot or kingpin as well as a suspension mounting for the wheel. The MacPherson strut is consists of a small subframe which provides the lateral and longitudinal location of the wheel.

The Chapman strut, on the other hand is another kind of strut named after Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman, founder of the famous sports car company, Lotus in 1952. The Chapman strut is designed to act as a shock absorber and a wheel location device at the same time and is made to resist lateral forces. His strut is commonly used as a rear suspension which is very similar to the MacPherson strut.