suspension 101 - Dodge Dakota Forum

Subject: suspension 101
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hey, I have been trying to learn more and more about suspension but peoples explanations have left me a little clueless. So I was hoping some of you guys could answer some of my questions. What is the difference between a shock and a strut? What exactly do tie rod ends do? What is the purpose of a pitman arm? What's the difference between a solid axle and independent supsension? I'll keep the questions coming. Thanks in advance.

hitekredneck
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2004
01:34:05

RE: suspension 101
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A shock is a tube nestled inside another and filled with a gas or fluid. A strut is kinda a coil over a shock. Tie rod ends are the final linkage between the steering system and the front hub. They have ball joints on the end because the angle changes as you turn the wheel. The pitman arm is connected to the other end of your tie rods. If you look at a go-kart, the first joint between the hub and the steering wheel is the tie-rod end. At the other end of the tie-rod, where it joins the steering shaft, is the pitman arm. The go-kart is much simpler but works on the same principle.
A solid axle (ex Ford 9 inch) had the axle tubes directly welded to the differential whereas an independant suspension has the axle tube connected to the diff with some kind of moving joint, i.e. CV joint. An independant usually rides better but a solid is better for off-road use.

Jeff
GenIII