Struts/Shocks

Your car came with rear shocks so you have to replace them with shock's. Also your car came with front strut's so you have to replace them with front strut's. Even newer cars then yours did that they had rear shocks and front strut's. So if you have rear shock's you have to stick with them. Same with strut's front strut's you have to stick with those also. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Also, to clarify their purpose, shock absorbers and struts do the same thing. They stop tires from bouncing. The difference is struts also hold the wheel straight up and down. They are a very strong structural part of the suspension system. With shock absorbers, there will be something else that holds the wheel straight. Both are replaced as a part of normal maintenance but struts usually have the coil spring around them to save weight and space. Special tools and safety procedures are needed when removing those springs. There are even a few little things professionals do to increase the life of new shock absorbers. Do-it-yourselfers can replace shock absorbers as long as you don't run into some of the potential problems or as long as you know how to solve them. No alignment is needed after replacing shock absorbers, but an alignment IS required after replacing struts. Every vehicle will have either struts or shock absorbers, one on every corner. You always replace it with what came on the car. There are a lot of different designs too so you must purchase the parts specific to your car. You can buy used ones from salvage yards but it's more common to just buy new ones because the cost isn't that high. Buying used shocks and struts is kind of like buying used underwear. It can be done, but...