What is the difference between shocks and struts for my SC400?
 

I know this sounds like a 'newbie' question, but I have never dealt with suspensions before. Yesterday I was told that my struts on my 1992 SC400 were shot, so I browsed the web to find a new set to order and all I can find is shocks. The mechanic specifically told me that my car has struts not shocks.

I was planning on getting Tokico Premium (shocks? Struts?) part numbers HU3452 for the front and HU3453 for the back and they have them listed fitting the SC400 1992.

Thanks for any answers you can give me!

SweetSG300

Those are the right part number for the SC400, I had them over 2 years in my car along with a set of Eibach Pro Kit, they offer a bit more stiffness over the stock ride but you will be OK for daily driving. While you are replacing your suspension, pay attention to your control arms both front and rear, if they are worn, you need to replace them otherwise you will be hearing a lot of knocking noise wheneven you go over a pothole or something.

Peter~

I may be mistaken but the way I've come to understand it is that the shock and spring together compromise a strut. It's the whole deal. You can replace one and not the other - though if you pay someone to do it - you'll pay twice for the same labor.

Most mechanics would recognize the shape of the housings as that of a conventional MacPherson strut,close enough,unless you're the one designing the car.
I believe ours are more like a Chapman strut,since they carry no side loads like a MacPherson strut;our cars have upper and lower control arms,where most cars have only a lower control arm.
I don't think you could possibly get the wrong part replaced or anything by asking for either shocks,struts,since both have the same function in a suspension.