Question for suspension
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2025
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Question for suspension
I did a little research and looking behind my wheels and all I see are just the shock absorber springs and when I go to look for replacement part I get springs and struts I just wanted double check with anybody whose done replacements that the springs and struts are viable or am I just not looking good enough. Thanks in advance.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 445
Likes: 94
From: Texas, near Houston
I did a little research and looking behind my wheels and all I see are just the shock absorber springs and when I go to look for replacement part I get springs and struts I just wanted double check with anybody whose done replacements that the springs and struts are viable or am I just not looking good enough. Thanks in advance.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2025
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its a 82 f100 xlt 302 rear wheel im looking at rock auto orileys and others and when im typing in shock absorbers I don't see them as a sprint or coil it looks more like a strut type. Sorry im a novice i bought the truck to teach myself how to do repairs and work on vehicles
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,876
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From: Angier, NC
I dont know why they are listed that way 
You want to look under shock / strut for just the shock.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...k+/+strut,7556
The other listing for shock / strut & coil spring assy. as that has a helper spring around the shock to help keep the rear from sagging with a little load in the bed.
I went with KYB's from LMC and I am happy with them.
Dave ----
You want to look under shock / strut for just the shock.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...k+/+strut,7556
The other listing for shock / strut & coil spring assy. as that has a helper spring around the shock to help keep the rear from sagging with a little load in the bed.
I went with KYB's from LMC and I am happy with them.
Dave ----
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 445
Likes: 94
From: Texas, near Houston
its a 82 f100 xlt 302 rear wheel im looking at rock auto orileys and others and when im typing in shock absorbers I don't see them as a sprint or coil it looks more like a strut type. Sorry im a novice i bought the truck to teach myself how to do repairs and work on vehicles
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,876
Likes: 4,116
From: Angier, NC
My rear shocks might be deemed a strut as it it does come with a little spring assembly attached even tho the primary springs for the rear are leaf. The fronts are clearly separate coils with shocks right beside them. Note: if you have a rwd with TIB suspension up front. Save yourself some trouble . If you decide to replace the front springs, choose a stock height replacement. Anything taller will require more parts to make the wheels straight again.
BTW you should not use shock mounting points to support a load like them helper springs on the shocks as they were not made to support any weight.
Dave ----
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2025
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Just to clarify all I see on the front side of the truck is just a coil/spring no strut in the middle of it I don't know if that was the design of it from the 80s and now the modern is struts with coil/spring support. I've only messed with strut assemblies on 2000 and up. Hence my confusion unless im just ridin dirty with no strut support.
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From: Virginia
A strut is a support member of the suspension AND has the spring AND has the shock. It has 3 jobs all built into 1. Struts are a more modern invention as you mentioned.
Your truck is old school, though not as old as some. It has a spring separate. It has a shock, separate. And it has suspension arms to support it all. 3 separate items that do the same job as 1 strut.
Your truck is old school, though not as old as some. It has a spring separate. It has a shock, separate. And it has suspension arms to support it all. 3 separate items that do the same job as 1 strut.
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FTE Legend
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From: Angier, NC
First your truck does not use or have struts like DaveF said rock auto just list it that way for some reason?
Struts go back pretty far as I remember them on the late 70's Fiat 128, front wheel drive, and the X1/9 mid engine struts front & rear.
Been so long now I cant remember if my 73 Fiat 850 had struts or not
Wife had a 90's Ford Taurus that had struts front & rear I think too.
There are many different types of suspension systems used over the years I would think Google could help you on the different types.
Dave ----
Struts go back pretty far as I remember them on the late 70's Fiat 128, front wheel drive, and the X1/9 mid engine struts front & rear.
Been so long now I cant remember if my 73 Fiat 850 had struts or not
Wife had a 90's Ford Taurus that had struts front & rear I think too.
There are many different types of suspension systems used over the years I would think Google could help you on the different types.
Dave ----
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2025
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this is nice reference for me thank you ill look it over again it has years of rust and grim, i may have missed it while looking under it im used to 2000 and I up i didn't think about it all being separated this helps alot!
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 57
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A strut is a support member of the suspension AND has the spring AND has the shock. It has 3 jobs all built into 1. Struts are a more modern invention as you mentioned.
Your truck is old school, though not as old as some. It has a spring separate. It has a shock, separate. And it has suspension arms to support it all. 3 separate items that do the same job as 1 strut.
Your truck is old school, though not as old as some. It has a spring separate. It has a shock, separate. And it has suspension arms to support it all. 3 separate items that do the same job as 1 strut.
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 57
Likes: 3
First your truck does not use or have struts like DaveF said rock auto just list it that way for some reason?
Struts go back pretty far as I remember them on the late 70's Fiat 128, front wheel drive, and the X1/9 mid engine struts front & rear.
Been so long now I cant remember if my 73 Fiat 850 had struts or not
Wife had a 90's Ford Taurus that had struts front & rear I think too.
There are many different types of suspension systems used over the years I would think Google could help you on the different types.
Dave ----
Struts go back pretty far as I remember them on the late 70's Fiat 128, front wheel drive, and the X1/9 mid engine struts front & rear.
Been so long now I cant remember if my 73 Fiat 850 had struts or not
Wife had a 90's Ford Taurus that had struts front & rear I think too.
There are many different types of suspension systems used over the years I would think Google could help you on the different types.
Dave ----
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,876
Likes: 4,116
From: Angier, NC
I try googling alot for my truck but most of it either pulls up 60s to 70s or 90s mostly and when i do find something for the 80s it not even close to what I need that's why I come here now for the people with first hand experience with these trucks I've found information faster for what I need better than Google. Thank you all of you gentlemen.
Keep coming here to get the right information.
Dave ----
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,654
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From: Tolland, CT
https://www.garysgaragemahal.com/
That site has lots of info about these trucks.
While your under the truck,
You'll also want to grease the front end and driveshaft U joints and slip joint. Do yourself a favor and get locking end for your grease gun. https://locknlube.com/?srsltid=AfmBO...NF9MYWrlpZIiD4
That site has lots of info about these trucks.
While your under the truck,
You'll also want to grease the front end and driveshaft U joints and slip joint. Do yourself a favor and get locking end for your grease gun. https://locknlube.com/?srsltid=AfmBO...NF9MYWrlpZIiD4
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