If your vehicle is bouncing around a lot more than usual, if potholes seem to cause the car to crash into the bump stops, or if your mechanic just told you that you need them, it may be time to replace the shocks or struts on your vehicle.
In this story, we will examine the cost of replacing shocks or struts. We don’t want to torture you with our wisdom if you are in a hurry, so let’s say that the average cost to replace a pair of shocks and struts is between $500 and $2,500.
The spread here is due to the many different designs used and because luxury cars sting you on any repair. If you have a mainstream affordable vehicle sold in large numbers, you should budget around $1,000 for this replacement.
Differences Between Shocks and Struts
The shocks and struts on a vehicle are both a part of the suspension system, but function very differently to provide for smooth and safe operation.
While shocks and struts both help provide a safer and more comfortable ride, struts provide structural support to a vehicle, whereas shocks only dampen motion.
Each of these parts are key components to a vehicle’s stabilization and overall ride quality, and help to support a vehicle in different ways.
A bad shock absorber or failing strut can cause excessive suspension movement, which may cause a rougher ride, bouncing, vibrations, and premature tire wear if they no longer dampen suspension movement appropriately.
What Are Shocks?
Shocks use hydraulic oil or air sealed into a cylinder that connects at one end to the suspension and the other to the chassis and compresses as the vehicle moves to absorb impact.
Shock absorbers function as a motion dampener, providing a smoother and quieter ride for passengers.
Though we wouldn’t recommend driving without shock absorbers, it would be possible as they only support motion dampening but not the suspension’s geometry or structure.
What Are Struts?
Struts are structural components in a vehicle’s suspension system. Struts help support the overall suspension and alignment using integral coil springs, mounts, and in some cases, bearings and bushings that allow the vehicle to be turned.
Struts have nearly the same internal components that make up a shock absorber, but also include more structural components that allow them to function as a unit.
Because strut assemblies are integral to the vehicle’s suspension, it would be impossible to drive without them installed.
Strut Replacement Cost
When replacing struts, it’s almost always best to replace them in pairs, even if you believe one of them is still good. Doing so prevents handling and suspension issues that could lead to unsafe driving conditions or expensive damage.
Average Cost Breakdown:
- Total cost for a pair of struts: $450 to $1,500
- Parts: $300 to $1,200 ($150 to $600 per strut assembly)
- Labor: $150 to $300
Dealership costs are typically higher, commonly exceeding $1,000 for a front strut replacement. On some high-end or luxury vehicles, it’s not unheard of to get quotes approaching $2,000 per axle (2 struts).
To get the best price, always try to get at least 2-3 quotes from reputable dealers, shops, or independent mechanics.
The actual cost of strut replacement varies based on several factors:
- Brand of struts (common brands include KYB, Monroe, Gabriel, and Bilstein)
- Your vehicle’s year, make, and model
- Where you have the work done
Important Note: After strut (or shock) replacement, a wheel alignment is necessary. When getting back a quote to replace your struts, confirm whether the cost of a wheel alignment is included or an extra expense.
In general, a 2-wheel alignment (if only front struts are replaced) is somewhere in the $50 to $100 range. If getting struts or shocks replaced on every corner, a 4-wheel alignment costing $100 to $200 is necessary.
Shock Replacement Cost
Like struts, shocks should always be replaced in pairs to maintain balanced vehicle handling. Shock replacement is generally less expensive than strut replacement due to their simpler design.
Average Cost Breakdown:
- Total cost for a pair of shocks: $300 to $650
- Parts: $100 to $300 ($50 to $150 per shock absorber)
- Labor: $200 to $350 (typically 2 hours of work)
For all four shocks, double the above costs for a rough estimate.
Similar to struts, cost of shock replacement varies based on the brand of shocks, your vehicle make/model, and where you go to have the replacement done.
Important Notes:
- Luxury vehicles (e.g., Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW, Lexus) and sports cars often have higher-than-average costs due to more advanced shock absorber designs.
- Some vehicles use shocks all around instead of a combination of struts and shocks.
Wheel Alignment Cost
Installing new shocks and struts can alter vehicle alignment. This results in uneven tire wear, which may contribute to early tire failure.
To prevent this, mechanics almost always recommend a wheel alignment after a strut replacement. Depending on the type of suspension on your vehicle, an alignment may also be required after the shocks are replaced.
An alignment will return the wheels to manufacturer-specified positions, restoring normal tire wear patterns and extending tire lifespan.
The cost of a wheel alignment can vary between $150 and $200. Meanwhile, the supplies for the job will set you back by about $20.
Symptoms of Bad Shocks and Struts
No automotive part is immune to wear. A shock absorber and strut assembly typically endures more wear than most, especially if the vehicle is frequently driven on rough roads.
Old and failing shocks and struts may exhibit any of the following symptoms:
Nose dive when braking
Does it feel like the front end of your car dips quickly toward the ground when you hit your brakes? This is called nose dive and can indicate worn shocks and struts. It is dangerous because it can cause an increase in stopping distance.
Bouncy ride
Excessive bouncing when you hit a bump can be a signal that your shocks and struts aren’t working effectively. Your vehicle should settle after hitting a bump and not continue to bounce. Worn shocks and struts aren’t able to effectively absorb road impacts and soften the bump.
Vehicle rolls or sways when cornering
Feeling like your vehicle is swaying or rolling when making a turn is not only annoying, it is unsettling because you can feel like you aren’t in control of your car. As shocks wear, they can lose their ability to control the rate of weight transfer when going around corners; this may also result in increased steering input to navigate turns.
Uneven tire wear
When your vehicle’s shocks and struts are worn out, the car can bounce, causing a reduction in road holding force. This bouncing can also cause accelerated tire wear including cupping or scalloping of the tires (when pieces of rubber are gouged out of the tire).
Rear squat during acceleration
Properly functioning shocks and struts stabilize suspension movement when accelerating. When your shocks and struts are going bad, the rear of your vehicle can squat excessively when you hit the gas pedal.
The vehicle’s momentum is transferred to the rear which causes the front end to rise, a factor in passenger motion sickness and unnecessarily high loading of the rear suspension components.
Vibration in steering wheel
It is natural to experience a little vibration in your steering wheel when driving over a bumpy road. If you experience similar vibrations on smooth roads, your shocks, struts, or steering stabilizer may be worn.
Unusual noises
When shocks and struts are worn out you may hear a clunking or knocking sound. This sound is caused by metal-to-metal contact when the shock or strut bottoms out when hitting a bump. In addition, these noises could be a result in worn shock or strut mounting components.
Leaking fluid on exterior of shocks/struts
If you notice excessive hydraulic fluid leaking from your shocks or struts, it can be a sign they’re wearing out. If the seals fail, then the fluid that is essential to the proper function of your shocks and struts is escaping.
When To Replace Shocks And Struts
The lifespan of shocks and struts depends on a couple of factors, like your driving habits, road conditions, and the make and model of your car.
Many car owners will never have to replace their shocks as they will not own the car long enough for the shocks to go bad. Average shocks last anywhere from 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Struts typically have a similar lifespan.
Your driving conditions can greatly affect the lifespan of both shocks and struts. If you drive carefully over bumps and potholes, you will likely extend the life of these parts. However, if you drive on rough roads and speed over bumps, then your shocks and struts will wear out more quickly.
You should perform a checkup on your shocks about every 10,000 miles starting at the 60,000-mile mark. Visually inspect the shocks and struts for leaks or signs of damage. If you notice oil or fluid on the shock, then it is leaking and should be replaced.
Also, keep an eye out for any of the other symptoms mentioned in the previous section, like a bouncy ride or nosedive when braking.
As long as you are not having any problems with your shocks, there is really no need to proactively replace them. You do not need to perform a shock replacement until your old shocks fail.