Shock and Strut Replacement: Cost and Tips

Shock absorbers (and struts) are a wear and tear component of a vehicle’s suspension system. Whether it’s the oil breaking down from rapid heat and cooling, or the internal valving wearing down after tens, or hundreds of thousands of cycles, the shocks will need to be replaced someday. And when that day comes there are a few things you want to know.

Contents

• When to Replace Shocks
• Shock/Strut Replacement Cost
• How Many Do I Replace?
• Shocks for Cars Vs Trucks

When Should Shocks and Struts be Replaced?

While most manufacturers will say that shocks should be replaced after 50k miles, there is no expiration date stamped on your shocks, but you should be on the lookout for the signs of a bad shock or strut.

While 50k-100k miles is a good benchmark for having your shocks or struts checked out it is not a hard fast rule to have them replaced. Lots of hard mileage is going to bring your shocks closer to wearing out and if you are in that 50k-100k window then you should be looking out for symptoms of bad shocks or struts. The most easily identifiable sign of a bad shock or strut is a vehicle that bounces several times after hitting a bump or a dip. This means the shocks are worn out and are not controlling the compression and extension of the coil springs, making the vehicle a giant pogo stick.

If you think your shocks might need replacing, but you are not sure how they got in that state, answering these questions might give you a clearer picture of why.

Your answers to these questions can help you determine what kind of replacement shock or strut is going to be best for your vehicle use, terrain, and style of driving.

The cost for replacement shocks and struts vary widely depending on year, make, and model of the vehicle with the actual shocks running $80-$250 per pair while struts can run $300-$760 per pair.

The labor costs should be anywhere between $100-$300 depending on the complexity of the job, and you will need an alignment after installing struts (but not shocks).

The difference in price between shocks usually reflects a difference in quality or anticipated demands of the part. As we talk about below, some vehicles require a lot from their shocks or struts and using a higher quality part can make a big difference for how those vehicles handle bumps and turns.

In many cases a strut assembly can be purchased which includes a new coil spring and top mount plate and cuts down on install time/labor costs, but they bring up the cost of parts by $50-$80 on average. If you feel confident in your grease monkey skills you can attempt to install a strut assembly yourself with a jack, some sturdy blocks, and a good socket set in most cases since they are a ‘bolt-on’ part. This will save you the labor costs, just don’t forget the alignment afterward.

Should You Replace All Four Shocks at the Same Time?

It is strongly suggested that you replace both front or rear shocks or struts in pairs and it is highly recommended that you replace all four positions at once.

Replacing shocks in pairs just makes sense because installing a brand new shock across from one with a lot of mileage is going to throw off how your vehicle handles. The front shocks or struts are more likely to wear faster than the rear shocks in cars because of weight distribution during a turn and braking. You could see more evenly distributed wear in the front and rear shocks or struts for trucks that tow or haul cargo or work vans that carry a lot of weight in the rear of the vehicle.

If you are looking at replacing the front set then it is definitely a good idea to check out the rear set. If they are showing signs of wear then its not a bad idea to get all the shocks replaced at once instead of having to do the job again a few months down the road.

Shocks for Cars or Shocks for Trucks?

For daily driving on relatively gentle surfaces, OE style shocks or struts will restore your ride and likely last a good long while. But if your shocks are getting punished in your day-to-day routine, when it’s time to replace them check out your options for a shock designed to better handle those conditions and demands.

For daily commuters (generally compact to mid-size cars) on normal roads a standard replacement shock or strut will restore the ride feel and bounce damping of the vehicle, but some vehicles can benefit greatly from a shock designed to provide better stability and a longer lifespan. For heavier, work-centric vehicles an OE replacement will get your vehicle back where it started but their longevity is going to suffer because of extra weight or regular driving on rough terrain. A more robust shock replacement will provide better performance and last you a lot longer than the originals. In almost every case they will be more expensive than an OE replacement but provide features like a larger reserve tube, specially tuned internal valving, or additives in the lubricant to slow the breakdown caused by rapid temperature change.

Need a Replacement?

If you do find yourself at the point where the shocks or struts are showing signs of wear or damage then getting a good replacement is a top priority for ride quality and the health of your vehicle. Monroe is a great option for replacing your shocks and struts since they supply the OE parts for a lot of vehicle manufacturers in the first place. Besides OE replacements they also offer premium aftermarket shocks and struts for use in fleet, heavy-duty, or emergency service vehicles with features that those applications demand. They have an enormous amount of makes and models covered with their exceptional parts so odds are they have just what you need.

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