Why can't you buy fully assembled suspension struts?

[rhyds]

A friend of mine raised an interesting question the other week...

Now that many car parts from thermostats to wheel bearings are sold as full assemblies rather than individual components (e.g. assembled brake shoes) why is it that you can't seem to buy a standard spec front suspension strut (spring/damper/top mount) as an assembled unit?

For those of us working on the drive a fully assembled strut would be worth the extra money over the spring and dampers on their own so we didn't have to mess about with spring compressors and the like, and you could just swap the assembly out as one big unit.

[valhalla]

It might have something to do with shipping a compressed spring. Although the complete strut should be able to constrain itself, it's not the same as sitting safely under the inner wing of a car. And here's a lot of energy in a compressed spring!

I'm sure I have seen complete assemblies somewhere......

[Joepublic]

Different axle weights due to engine size, man / auto variants and standard / sport would mean huge stocks would be needed?

Someone like ECP could offer an assembly option I suppose?

[chippie]

Can’t say I’ve ever seen a fully assembled strut offered as an option….

I remember buying a front strut for the Hillman Hunter project I was working on back in the late 70’s…that need a new one because the front n/s had suffered an impact with a tractor and bent the strut rod…

I bought shockers and springs, the odd rubber bump stop and top bearing but never a complete unit…