Can someone explain what a “strut” is? I have a '93 Ford Escort Wagon - would it have shocks AND struts? How can I tell? And if it has both, can the shocks be replaced independent of the struts? Or, due to the labor, is it wiser to replace BOTH shocks and struts now?
A strut is just a shock mounted inside a coil spring. A 93 Escort will undoubtedly only have struts.
Sorry Hail Ants that is near but not correct.
A strut is a structural member forming part of your suspension. In particular, it is a near vertical member leading from the body of your car down to the hub of each wheel, if your car is the type of car that has struts, which a 93 Escort will be, certainly at the front and probably at the rear.
The strut is usually a hollow cylinder. Down the centre of the strut is a shock absorber, which is a separate pneumatic or pneumatic/hydraulic device to absorb road shocks. They wear out and need to be replaced. Unless there is damage from a wreck or whatever, struts are simply a steel member that does not wear out or ever need replacing.
So to answer the specific questions, you can replace the shocks independantly, and that is all you will have to do.