Shocks and Struts Replacement Cost: Comprehensive Guide

Shocks and struts replacement cost

is a major factor when it comes to vehicle maintenance. Usually, the cost varies between $400 and $1,000. However, it depends on the type of suspension you have in your car.

In this comprehensive guide, you will learn everything about shock and strut replacement.

How Much Will It Cost To Replace Shocks and Struts?

It will cost you between $400 and $1000 to replace typical shocks and struts. Of course, the cost depends on the suspension in your car. That said, the cost of the struts and shock parts will cost between $200 and $500, while the rest goes into labor.

The price difference between the front and rear struts is usually not significant. However, in some cases, the front struts tend to be slightly expensive to replace compared to the rear struts. That said, there is no significant difference in some vehicles.

For instance, the shocks and struts replacement cost Toyota Camry vs. the shocks and struts replacement cost Honda Accord is almost the same.

What Factors Influence Shock and Strut Replacement Cost?

Apart from the cost of labor and parts, other factors influence the cost of replacement. Of course, purchasing the replacement parts takes most of the expense. A single shock and strut assembly is going to cost you between $200 and $800.

That said, replacing shocks and struts is done in pairs. When you do this, you will find the cost easily doubling. All the auto repair shops charge a markup for the replacements they offer. If you go for the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, that will cost you more.

In case you are on a budget, you can go for aftermarket replacement parts. With aftermarket parts, you get almost the same performance as OEM ones.

Vehicle Make/Model Affects Shock/Strut Cost of Replacement

If you are looking for new parts, the cost will ultimately be determined by your vehicle. Usually, the cost of replacement parts for compact cars is low compared to larger SUVs and trucks. However, there are exceptions. For instance, if you own a rare vehicle or a luxury car, you are going to spend a lot to get replacement parts.

Vehicle Brand Will Influence Shock & Strut Replacement Cost

Different vehicle makers produce shock absorbers and struts specific to their vehicles. Some vehicle brands tend to be cheaper and budget-friendly. For instance, Toyota struts replacement cost or Honda shocks and struts replacement cost is cheaper compared to other vehicles.

If you are on a budget, you can purchase aftermarket parts. The downside is that these parts may not be as durable as OEM parts. Alternatively, you can replace bad struts with performance ones from the top brands. Although you will pay more for parts from such brands, they will last long. Some of these brands provide warranties for their parts.

DIY vs. Professional Labor Will Affect the Replacement Cost

One of the best ways of saving money on shock replacement is doing the job yourself. However, this is not always easy especially if you are a novice. Besides, if you to different auto repair shops to replace worn shocks and struts, the labor cost can vary drastically.

For instance, if you go to a repair shop in your neighborhood, then replacing struts will be cheaper than going to a dealership. Just search for shocks and struts replacement cost near me or shocks and struts replacement near me to compare prices.

If you do not trust yourself to carry out the strut and shock replacement, you can take it to a local repair shop. In case your vehicle is still under warranty, take it to the dealership to do the replacement.

However, if not under warranty and you lack the budget to take it to a dealership to replace these parts, take it to a local repair shop. If you opt for your local repair shop, make sure the mechanic is trustworthy. Although this is not the cheapest place to get shocks installed, it is the next best option after the dealership.

Additional Services Can Increase the Replacement Cost

When your car has a bad shock or strut, there is a likelihood that there are other parts you may have to replace. For instance, when replacing a worn strut, you may also have to replace the strut mount. Doing so will increase the overall replacement costs.

In addition, after changing the struts, you need to perform wheel alignment. Often, the cost of aligning two wheels varies between $35 and $100. However, if you align four wheels, it will cost more.

What Are the Tell-Tale Signs of Worn Shocks/Struts?

Noise is the most common sign

that you have worn shocks or struts. This is evident especially when driving over bumps with noises such as hollow clunking or banging sounds.

Also, since the steering knuckle is connected to the front struts, as you turn the steering wheel you will hear noises. For instance, you may notice an increase in clunking and creaking sounds when making a turn.

Rougher Ride Is a Symptom of Worn Shocks and Struts

Shocks and struts are part of the suspension

, which helps dampen imperfections on the road. Therefore, if these parts are worn, you will experience an increase in discomfort. This will be evident when you hit bumps or drive on uneven roads.

With time, if you do not replace the worn struts, they will eventually bottom out. This means that the spring compresses so much that it reaches its travel limit.

Uneven Tire Wear Could Be a Sign of Worn Shocks/Struts

Worn struts result in handling issues

that influence the way the tires come into contact with the road. For instance, the tires will have uneven contact with the road, which will cause the tread to wear unevenly. One of the most common causes of cupped effect on tire tread is worn struts.

The cupping effect results in high and low spots on the tire tread. This happens as the car bounces on the road when driving. If you fail to replace struts when you notice this issue, you may end up buying new tires. This will result in a high average cost of repair.

Oil Seeping Out of the Struts Is Another Common Symptom

The struts in your car contain hydraulic fluid. If the struts are in working order, the fluid should remain in the structure. However, when you have worn struts, the hydraulic fluid will start to leak from its casing. The fluid will seep out with time as the seals get old.

You may not find the oil on the ground, but you will find it accumulating on the outside of the strut. To establish if the struts are leaking, check the struts for oil buildup on the outside.

Handling/Performance Issues Can Arise From Strut Problems

Apart from a bumpy ride, worn shocks and struts can cause noticeable performance issues. For instance, when you have worn struts, the vehicle will start to squat or dive whenever you accelerate or brake. Also, you may see your car leaning when navigating bends.

In addition, a worn strut bearing will affect the steering. For instance, the steering may become less responsive or difficult to turn. When you have a compromised handling or steering, you put yourself in danger when driving. Therefore, you should address the problem as soon as possible.

Is Driving With Bad Shocks and Struts Safe or Advisable?

No. Although most people delay replacing worn struts to save money, it is dangerous. For instance, driving with worn struts and shock not only compromises handling and steering but also results in unstable rides.

Furthermore, if you cause an accident because of neglecting your struts, you won’t like the aftermath. Apart from paying for the repairs and higher insurance premiums, you will be responsible for injuring other people.

In addition, when you drive your car with worn struts, the suspension is exposed to more stress. As you procrastinate, you will end up with more repairs which means a higher average cost at the repair shop.

Is There a Difference Between Shock Absorbers and Struts?

Yes. Sometimes you may come across a person using struts and shocks interchangeably. Even though these are part of the suspension, they are different parts that serve different purposes. The two parts help improve your car’s handling and ride, but they work differently.

One of the main differences between the two is a shock absorber operates independently and the strut forms part of the structure. The strut supports the suspension as well as the chassis. In other words, struts support the vehicle’s weight while the shock does not. Instead, the shocks control how the suspension moves.

On the other hand, struts act as a damper while at the same time completing the structure. Struts replace the upper ball joint and upper control arm used in some suspensions. Also, the part requires more space and is heavier than shocks.

That said, the strut’s internal are similar to shocks which offer a damping function. At the same time, struts hold the tire in place and support the spring. Also, struts hold most of the side load on your car’s suspension.

Professional Tips for Replacing Bad Shocks and Struts

It is advisable when replacing worn struts to replace everything including the top mount, bearing, and coil springs. Replacing the shock only is cheaper, but you may have to do it again if the coil spring pops a few days later.

As well, if the sway bar is attached to the strut, you should replace them. Removing these is a problem and in most cases, you will damage them in the process. Anyway, they often wear out. Therefore, it is advisable to replace them.

Be careful if you are not replacing the whole strut. The coil spring can seriously injure you if you do not have the right tools and skills. That is why a repair shop is the best place to get shocks and struts replaced.

Before you reassemble everything, lubricate all the bolts. This will make it easier to remove in the future. Lastly, after replacing the struts, perform wheel alignment. This way, you will avoid handling issues and quick wear on your tires.

FAQs

How Long Do Shocks and Struts Last Before Replacing?

In most cases, struts and shock last the lifetime of your car. However, in some cars, you may have to replace these parts if they are worn. In such vehicles, these parts wear out when they hit the 50,000 or 100,000-mile point.

How Long Will Strut Replacement Take To Finish Successfully?

Depending on your car and its age, it will take a mechanic between 1 and 3 hours to replace a worn strut. In most cars, replacing a strut is not an easy job. Thus, as a beginner, it will take you many hours.

Must You Replace All 4 Struts/Shocks at the Same Time?

No, don’t replace good struts

. However, it is advisable to replace two struts on the same axle at once. That said, it is not a requirement. But keep in mind that replacing only one strut in an axle will affect the handling of your car.

Conclusion

In this post, you learned the cost of replacing worn shocks and struts and useful tips.

Here are the key takeaways:

• The cost of replacing worn shocks and struts varies between $400 and $1000.
• Factors that influence the cost include the cost of labor and parts.
• Other factors are vehicle make/model and additional services.
• Tips for replacing worn struts include replacing everything associated with the worn strut such as mounts, bearings, and coil springs.
• To replace these parts safely, you need a professional mechanic.

With this understanding, you know what determines the cost of replacing worn shocks and struts.

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