Shocks, strats, spring, coilovers what is the difference?

[AAA323IsAAA]

So I want to upgrade the supsension on my ride, but more I read about the subject the more I am confused. This is what I got so far:

shocks - make the ride firmer
springs - lower the car
coilovers - I dunno what this is at all seems like a cross between shocks and springs

can anyone explain please to us noobs :eyecrazy

[jmott]

shocks - dampening the spring oscillations. they primary purposes is to prevent your car from bouncing up and down forever on the springs after you hit a bump. they can also make the ride firmer, by controlling how quickly they let the spring compress and uncompresss

struts - a shock that doubles as a structural suspension member (the front of BMWs have struts)

springs - hold the car up, and provide the roll resistance and bump resistance. stiffer springs will make the ride firmer, reduce roll. shorter springs will reduce ride height

coilover - a somewhat misued name. what people mean normally when they say this, they are talking about a shock/strut/spring combo that allows you to adjust ride height, swap in various spring rates, and adjust the shock stiffness.


So I want to upgrade the supsension on my ride, but more I read about the subject the more I am confused. This is what I got so far:

shocks - make the ride firmer
springs - lower the car
coilovers - I dunno what this is at all seems like a cross between shocks and springs

can anyone explain please to us noobs :eyecrazy

[AAA323IsAAA]

shocks - dampening the spring oscillations. they primary purposes is to prevent your car from bouncing up and down forever on the springs after you hit a bump. they can also make the ride firmer, by controlling how quickly they let the spring compress and uncompresss

struts - a shock that doubles as a structural suspension member (the front of BMWs have struts)

springs - hold the car up, and provide the roll resistance and bump resistance. stiffer springs will make the ride firmer, reduce roll. shorter springs will reduce ride height

coilover - a somewhat misued name. what people mean normally when they say this, they are talking about a shock/strut/spring combo that allows you to adjust ride height, swap in various spring rates, and adjust the shock stiffness.


NICE, I am glad to see some people do understand whats up and are willing to share their knowlege ! :)