A typical shock and strut replacement can set you back anywhere between $450 and $1,100 on parts and labor combined. An individual shock and strut assembly costs around $150 to $900, while estimated labor costs for replacing a shock and strut assembly can range anywhere from $150 to $300 per assembly.

Struts on the front-end of your vehicle are also crucial for steering and alignment. Driving with a broken strut will be extremely uncomfortable for you and your passengers, and is unsafe in an emergency. It can also damage other components in your car.

The Warning Signs Of Worn Shocks And Struts

• Instability at highway speeds.
• Vehicle “tips” to one side in turns.
• The front end dives more than expected during hard braking.
• Rear-end squat during acceleration.
• Tires bouncing excessively.
• Unusual tire wear.
• Leaking fluid on the exterior of shocks or struts.

Finally, replace your struts and shocks in pairs Shocks and struts should always be replaced in pairs or, better yet, all four, for even, predictable handling and control. After all, all four have been on the vehicle for the same number of miles and worked under the same conditions.

There are two negatives to riding on worn-out struts or automotive shocks: Safety: Worn struts result in longer stopping times and/or distances as the vehicle weight can shift (sometimes unexpectedly) during braking. This also negatively affects your ability to stay in control of your vehicle.

Ask a Mechanic How Long Do Shocks and Struts Last On average shocks and struts can last 5-10 years or 50,000-100,000 miles under ideal driving conditions. Many factors can affect the lifespan of these components to include: manufacturer, bad roads, heavy loads, towing, hard braking and aggressive driving.

Shocks and struts help keep the vehicle stable during acceleration and braking. The customer may think that new shocks and struts will simply make their ride smoother, but the truth is that new shocks and struts can do a whole lot more. New shocks and struts can make a vehicle corner and brake like when it was new.

The best shock absorbers for smooth ride I have found is the Bilstein 24-186728 Shock Absorber….

• Bilstein 24-186728 Shock Absorber.
• Monroe 58640 Shock Absorber.
• KYB MonoMax 565102 Shock Absorber.
• ACDelco 580-435 Front Shock Absorber.

Bad strut sounds are usually described as a hollow clunking or banging type of sound. You’ll typically hear the noise when the vehicle is traveling over irregularities in the road. Most front strut assemblies also have a bearing at the top.

What Are the Signs that My Vehicle Needs New Shocks or Struts?

1. Bumpy ride. The most obvious sign of a problem with your shocks or struts is that your car is giving you a much more uncomfortable ride than normal.
2. Steering problems.
3. Braking problems.
4. Fluid leaks.
5. Unusual tire tread wear.
6. Mileage.

The major difference between shocks and struts is that a strut is a structural part of the vehicles suspension system where a shock is not. A strut is also a pivot point for the vehicles steering system and contains a coil spring. Because of this an alignment is always needed when replacing a strut.

If you don’t, the most sure-fire way is to check under the carriage. Both shocks and suspensions will be located near the tires. Shocks will be vertical and resemble a pneumatic pump. Struts are horizontal and look to be just extensions of the wheels.

Yes, it’s dangerous to drive with bad shocks or struts. Fortunately, many signs indicate your car’s shocks and struts are malfunctioning, such as: Your car feels unstable, even if you are driving on a flat surface. Your car tips to one side during turns.

For the first hundred or so miles after installing your new gear, the driver will notice that the suspension feels a little stiff and bouncy. Second, a brand-new passive suspension will feel especially rigid in comparison to a worn-out active suspension.

Bad shocks can make it dangerous to accelerate. When your vehicle speeds up, your shocks will absorb the torque that is created and keep your vehicle stable. If your shocks are in bad condition, it can cause you to lose control of your vehicle when you speed up, which can easily result in an accident.

Feeling every bump An easy check is the bounce test. Simply push your entire weight down on your car’s bonnet. Release and count the number of times the car bounces. If it bounces more than three times, then there is a problem with your shock absorbers or struts.

You do not need an alignment when installing new shocks. If they were a coilover design that supported the weight of the vehicle and caused a change in ride height, the alignment would be affected.