93' Accord- Shocks or struts?

Discussion in 'Accord' started by Suzanne, Jan 23, 2004.

  1. Suzanne

    Suzanne Guest

    I have a 1993 Honda Accord, are there shocks OR struts on the car? Thanks
     
    Suzanne, Jan 23, 2004
    #1
  2. Yes.
     
    Stephen Bigelow, Jan 23, 2004
    #2
  3. Though even some service managers will call them struts, they're not.
    There are so many cars now which use the execrable MacPherson strut that
    anything with a concentric spring/shock is called a strut. Strictly
    speaking a "strut" is a combination damper (shock absorber) and structural
    part of the suspension... which is not the case in the '93 Accord's double
    wishbone suspension.

    Rgds, George Macdonald

    "Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??
     
    George Macdonald, Jan 23, 2004
    #3
  4. Suzanne

    Jello7653 Guest

    Struts in the front to support the engine weight and regular shocks in the
    rear. Becareful changing struts if you do it yourself. I sent a bolt flying
    about 100 feet when I first changed one. After I changed my pants, I bought
    the $14 tool to keep the spring compressed :)
     
    Jello7653, Jan 23, 2004
    #4
  5. Nope - no struts in an Accord since ~1985. The wheel hub carrier is
    located/held laterally and longitudinally by the upper wishbone, lower
    control arm and a radius rod - the spring/damper does not turn with the
    steering.

    Rgds, George Macdonald

    "Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??
     
    George Macdonald, Jan 23, 2004
    #5
  6. Suzanne

    Tegger® Guest


    "Execrable" it may be, but have you ever driven a new Toyota Corolla? I HAD
    to check underneath twice to make certain they were actually struts, the
    cars handling being so good I was sure they were not.


    Does not the Accord have Macpherson struts in the rear?
     
    Tegger®, Jan 24, 2004
    #6
  7. I haven't driven a Corolla but as recently mentioned that's what I'd look
    at in that segment right now... if I was looking. I'm told by "experts"
    who have done competitive testing that Mazda currently has the best
    suspension geometry in the business - nearest to perfect wheel travel with
    minimal bump/steer/shock effects.

    Even if its "OK when new, the trouble I've found with MacPherson strut in
    the past is the way it deteriorates to mediocre handling so quickly, it's
    tendency to induce tire imbalance and its long-term wear... it doesn't have
    any. The damper mechanisms, piston/cylinder just take a beating from the
    side forces.
    Not that I know of. AFAIK the '93s had what was claimed to be double
    wishbone geometry but with lateral links and a trailing arm - a slightly
    more robust version of the Civics/Intgras of the same era:
    http://makeashorterlink.com/?X25651C27 The more recent Accords >'98 have a
    double wishbone with multi-link in the rear.

    Besides I'm a little pedantic here: MacPherson is front only to me - in the
    rear it's a Chapman strut... even without RWD.:)

    Rgds, George Macdonald

    "Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??
     
    George Macdonald, Jan 24, 2004
    #7
  8. Suzanne

    Tegger® Guest


    My '91 (same as the '93) Integra has struts in the rear. Struts, trailing
    arms and three links.
     
    Tegger®, Jan 25, 2004
    #8
  9. I don't know why you call them struts. The knuckle is located by the
    trailing arm and the lateral links - the damper/spring's only function is
    absorbing road shocks and damping.

    Rgds, George Macdonald

    "Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??
     
    George Macdonald, Jan 26, 2004
    #9
  10. Suzanne

    Tegger® Guest



    Yes, you are right. Funny how I've been looking at that suspension at least
    twice a year for thirteen years, and it never quite clicked that this is
    the case.

    In order for the assembly to be a strut, the hub would have to be located
    by the strut body, not by the trailing arm. As it is, the damper tube ends
    in a clevis and pin, which passes through a bushing in the lower control
    arm.
     
    Tegger®, Jan 27, 2004
    #10
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