The impact of shocks and struts on a car remains notable as they are a core component in the functions of the vehicle’s suspension system.
By knowing these parts and internal components’ functions, it becomes easier to determine the average price to replace shocks and struts when something goes wrong with your vehicle.
Both these parts of internal suspension play a great role in the vehicle’s suspension and steering, as well as the safety system. Shocks and struts control bouncing motions, swaying, as well as the vehicle’s ability to operate on rough surfaces.
Determining the average price for replacing shocks and struts is often characterized by the replacement of both struts or both shocks in pairs of units, since all work has to be done at the same time.
The price varies with the type of struts and shocks selected, the autobody shops or mechanics, and the make and model of the car.
Typically, strut and shock repairs can average between $50 to $900 for just struts alone, with a pair of struts costing on the upper echelon of the spectrum. Additionally, a lump sum fee of $150 to $300 will need to be compensated for the services performed.
Difference Between Shocks and Struts
It’s not uncommon for the general public to conflate struts with shocks as one interchangeable term. Both of these components serve different purposes and thus have contrasting features.
To complement the handling and ride of the vehicle may differ, as per the two, shocks are parts that form the suspension system, while struts are primary scaffolding parts of the chassis and suspension system.
What do Shocks Do?
What many are led to believe may be erroneous is the idea that standard shock absorbers bear responsibility to support vehicle weight.
The control of suspension and spring movement is something that needs to be achieved, and that too needs to be done by the shock absorber, which is done by converting suspension movement kinetic energy into thermal energy to be discarded from a hydraulic system.
Energy loss through heat goes into the hydraulic fluid, which is in the shock absorber.
The extent to which heat is released while the shocks are in motion relies heavily on suspension dynamics and the quantity and dimensions of the pores in the piston.
Modern shock absorbers are classified as velocity-sensitive hydraulic dampers since they offer more resistance as speed increases. Because of this property, shock absorbers respond to different road conditions and reduce:
- Bouncing
- Rolling and swaying due to insufficiently controlled shocks and dampers, experiencing excessive weight transfer rate.
- Brake dive and acceleration squat
As mentioned previously, shock absorbers are basic circumferential fluid displacement devices for both compression and extension cycles.
A typical car or light truck will have greater resistance during the extension than the compression cycle. The extension is dominant over the heavier sprung weight while the compression controls the motion of the unsprung weight.
What do Struts do?
Many modern front-wheel drive and some rear-wheel drive vehicles use struts as dampers in their independent suspensions.
A strut is an integral component of a suspension system. Instead of an upper control arm and upper ball joint, which would be found in a conventional suspension, a strut is used. As a result of this reason, struts are lighter and more compact than shock absorbers in conventional suspension systems.
A strut has two primary responsibilities. First, struts perform the same damping function as shock absorbers. A strut resembles a shock absorber internally. A piston exits the end of a piston rod and works against hydraulic fluid that controls the movement of the spring and suspension.
The valving, like in shock absorbers, creates resistance to the forces generated by the up and down movement of the suspension. Also, similarly to shock absorbers, a strut is velocity sensitive, meaning it is set up so that the amount of resistance provided can be adjusted depending on the speed of suspension movement.
Struts also perform a secondary role. Unlike shock absorbers, struts serve as structural support for the vehicle suspension, bearing the spring, and keeping the aligned tire in position. They also bear a significant proportion of the lateral loads that the suspension system of the vehicle experiences.
As a result, struts influence not only ride comfort and handling, but also control of the vehicle, braking, steering, alignment and wear of wheels and other suspension components.
Signs Your Shocks or Struts Are Worn
On the road, properly functioning shocks and struts provide you with additional safety while preventing unnecessary damage to your vehicle. Keep an eye on these signs that indicate Shocks and Struts need maintenance.
- Cupping and other unusual tire wear. In case you observe cupping (shown in the image below) accompanied by other unusual tire wear, it may indicate that your shocks or struts need attention, thus affecting the alignment. This can be crucial to observe, especially if a rotation was done but abnormal wear continues.
- Rubber shock covers that are off-center, peeling, and cracking. These shock rubber covers are located at both the upper and lower ends of the shocks.
- Fluid leak. If there are clear or light brown fluids observed at the outer part of the shocks or struts, there is most likely a damaged seal.
- Problems while driving. If your car ‘dives’ when braking, bottoming out (scraping noisily) over speed bumps, the rear end ‘squatting’ during rapid acceleration, or the vehicle bouncing unusually high after running over a bump, it indicates the shocks or struts are inoperable.
- Problems stopping. You may observe that your car takes additional time to come to a complete stop.
- Rocking. This may be particularly apparent following a turn, lane change, or in windy conditions.
- Strange sounds. When shocks or struts wear out, they can no longer perform their intended function. This can lead to numerous disruptive sounds, such as knocking or banging.
Struts vs. Shocks Replacements
Before determining what type of shock absorbers a car has, it is essential to identify whether there is a need to get the struts or shocks fixed or replaced.
When purchasing struts or shocks, you buy brand-name products, therefore, reliable, consistent, and confidence-inspiring products that are long-lasting and durable.
Even though struts and shocks are marketed differently, it remains important to remember that you can select what is most appropriate for you and your goal.
If speed is what matters most to you, then purchasing stiffer shocks and struts should be a priority. But if you prefer ride comfort and smoothness, you might be inclined to some other struts or shocks.
How Much Would It Cost to Replace Your Shocks and Struts?
The range for a normal shock and strut replacement is likely to be between $450 to $1,100 for an average driver. For those who own a more customized vehicle suspension system, the price may vary based on your region.
To start off, shocks are available in several grades, and price often dictates quality. Still, some very heavy-duty shock absorbers alongside some shock struts can result in a ride that is much harsher than OEM shock absorbers.
Pro Tip: Most modern shocks are charged with nitrogen, supporting the weight of the vehicle, unlike older oil-only shocks.
Purchasing a strut cartridge is less expensive than buying an entire assembly because a good portion of the old hardware (the spring, strut mount, and so on) is reused. However, the shock is more labor intensive to break down.
It uses a special type of spring compressor (ethically, do not try this at home) and then reassemble it. Sometimes strut bladder caps require wheel alignment which is configuration dependant, and that cost is factored in (or not) based on the vehicle.
The total cost of a replacement job is usually split between labor and parts. Anticipated costs include alignment of wheels reimbursable from change of struts.
Labor Cost
Drivers incur additional costs like crossover using differing inner sleeves for supporting rings leveling at $150 on the low end and $300 at the high end. Mechanics will charge anywhere from $150 to $300 per tier for assembling back shock & strut mounts.
Auto repair shops often mark up their service costs due to the overhead expenses associated with maintaining a physical location. Dealerships may charge even more due to their affiliation with the vehicle’s manufacturer.
A motorist with some knowledge in DIY suspension projects may eliminate labor fees by extracting the old shocks and struts and inserting new ones themselves. If you don’t know how to do the job, though, a better option would be to hire a professional.
Remember that the springs on a set of struts can cause severe injury when mishandled, so don’t try to disassemble struts if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Parts Cost
Purchasing replacement shocks and struts will take up a large chunk of your overall expense. Depending on the type of vehicle, an individual shock and strut assembly will cost approximately $150 to $900.
Auto repair shops usually offer used pieces at lower fees, but do include some markups, and their cuts actually make used parts more expensive. Official dealerships use OEM parts, which are vielen their overcharged pieces.
An option that could help you save on expenses would be to purchase an aftermarket product online. Such products may provide the same level of service as original parts, but at a better price.
The Cost of Wheel Alignment
Replacing shock absorbers and struts can change the alignment of the car. This leads to asymmetric wear of the tires, which may lead to them failing prematurely.
To help avoid this problem, almost all mechanics will advise a wheel alignment in conjunction with strut replacement. Furthermore, depending on the vehicle’s suspension system, shocks may also necessitate an alignment following replacement.
With an alignment, the car wheels are repositioned to the factory presets, and subsequently, the wear patterns of the tires become normal. This means the life expectancy of the tires is extended.
The amount required for a wheel alignment will range from $150 to $200. In addition, the materials needed for the task will cost approximately $20.
How are Suspension Shocks or Struts replaced?
To remove the suspension strut, a technician has to first lift the vehicle using a hoist and remove the front wheel. With the front wheel off, the brake caliper along with the rotor are taken out, and the sway bar link is also unfastened.
The technician now detaches the strut from the steering knuckle and the strut tower, effectively removing it from the vehicle. If the complete strut assembly is being changed out, it is comparatively more straightforward to install.
On the contrary, the old assembly’s coil spring is frequently reused. In this scenario, the outdated strut will need to be compressed and taken apart, while the new strut will need to be preassembled before installation.
In contrast, shocks are significantly more straightforward to replace. Most of the time, removing the wheel is all it takes for the upper and lower mounting bolts to be accessed and removed.
The shock mount is unbolted and separated, and a new shock mount and shock are added in their place. The first stage is repeated on at least one additional shock after the wheel is fastened securely.
Can I replace the Suspension Shock or strut myself?
Considering the replacement of an entire suspension strut assembly as a unit could be undertaken as an intermediate-level do-it-yourself project.
In the case of transferring the coil spring from the old strut to the new strut, or if the old spring is broken and needs replacement, this task is best performed by a complicated DIYer or a professional technician.
The lack of repair is usually attributed to the ease of replacing them because shock absorbers are widely known to be safer and easier to replace, hence most DIYers will not find these to be a hassle, provided the proper steps to lifting and supporting the vehicle are known.
Conclusion
When determining the average cost for the replacement of shocks and struts, one must consider the role the shocks and struts have in the vehicle, their function in conjunction with the steering and suspension system, and the systems’ signs indicating failing shocks and struts.
Identifying these signs in good time and taking appropriate action can help avert this problem before it escalates and requires costly replacements.