Search over 600 topics on CostHelper.com
BROWSE ALL TOPICS >> babies & children cars & car maintenance education health & personal care home & garden personal finance pets & pet care small business weddings

CostHelper.com > Cars  > Car Shock Absorbers

Car Shock Absorbers Cost

How Much Do Car Shock Absorbers Cost?

low cost Standard Parts: $30-$100
low costMedium: $220-$900
low cost Luxury Vehicles: $3,600-$5,000

Related Topics:

Ball Joint Replacement

Car Suspension

>> All Articles for Cars

   cost separator
 
Shock absorbers dampen vibrations, keeping the tires on the road by stopping the suspension springs from bouncing up and down continuously. The shock absorbers may need replacing if a vehicle has been driven more than 75,000 miles or if its ride and handling aren't as good as before--some shocks can wear out after 25,000-35,000 miles.
 
Typical costs:
  • Standard shock absorbers can run $30 -$100 each for parts alone, making it $120 -$400 for a do-it-yourself project replacing four shocks. Labor averages 2-5 hours at $50 -$100/hour, or $100 -$500, for a total parts-and-labor cost of $220 -$900. This can be more for luxury models or vehicles with difficult access or heavy rust (making removal of the old parts more time-consuming).
  • Replacing basic struts runs about $300 -$700, depending on make and model; using higher-grade parts can bump the cost to $700 -$1,000 or more.
  • Air suspension shocks, often found on a Lexus, can cost $800 -$1,2,00 apiece for parts alone, or $3,600 -$5,000 to have four installed by a mechanic.
What should be included:
  • Vehicles manufactured since the mid-1980s either have stand-alone individual shocks attached to the vehicle suspension and frame, or shock-absorber units/cartridges that are part of a strut, which can be either a MacPherson or Chapman type. Some cars have struts in the front and individual shocks in the rear.
  • Mobil Oil provides a quick overview of shocks and struts, and estimates that a do-it-yourself project replacing shock absorbers is of moderate difficulty and will take about 60 minutes. Often the biggest obstacles to replacing shocks are access and rust--the longer the shocks have been on the vehicle, the more difficult it can be to remove the old nuts and bolts holding them in place.
  • Replacing struts generally requires a special tool--a spring compressor--and is usually a more involved process than replacing individual shock absorbers. It's generally considered best to have a mechanic replace shocks or struts in pairs (left and right), and sometimes both the front and back sets will be worn out or close to worn out, and need replacing simultaneously.
Additional costs:
  • Some vehicles may require a full alignment after replacing the shock absorbers/struts; this can add $60 -$100 to the total cost. Check the specifications for your car to see if an alignment is needed.
Shopping for car shock absorbers:
  • AutoEducation.com lists tips for choosing a repair shop. Labor usually costs the most, you might pay for more time than it actually takes to do the job, many firms charge a separate diagnostic fee and most repair shops use a higher grade of replacement parts than the cheapest ones available from discount retailers; AA1Car.com gives an overview.
  • Shocks or struts are available through JC Whitney and PartsAmerica.com. Professional shock or strut replacement is offered by Meineke and Midas car care centers; by auto dealers; or get referred to a certified local repair shop through the National Association for Automotive Service Excellence.
Article updated October 2007
Was this article helpful?  yes  no digg this Digg this delicious del.icio.us post E-mail post Post

Recent Posts
Amount: $270.00 Struts changed
Posted by: Gene in Brooklyn, NY.Purchased: May, 2008
Make: NissanModel: 2002 Altima 2.5S
Shop: Igor Auto Center
Had to replace two front struts, Labor+ two new front struts (not stock cheap ones) ran me 270$ Same thing for the rear struts 270$
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Amount: $503.00 shocks
Posted by: Cam in Frisco, CO.Purchased: 2009
Make: 2000 ToyotaModel: Landcruiser
Shop: Big O Tires
Justhad new rear brakes installed yesterday for 430.00 and shocks today for 503.00. OUCH
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Amount: $803.00 Struts
Posted by: Elissa in Chicago, IL.Purchased: September, 2009
Make: 2000 ToyotaModel: Avalon
Shop: Dankha's Auto Repair
I was quoted $700 to $1300 for replacing all four struts. I was also told that I needed four stabilizer bars as well. I went online to Racepages.com and bought the parts for cheaper and then had my mechanic install them. Parts came to $553 and labor was $250. Monroe was running a rebate on the struts, so I will get $60 back. Although I paid nearly the amount that I was quoted at one of the shops, at least I knew what brand of struts I was getting (Monroe Sensa-trac), and not some generic off-brand.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Amount: $1,000.00 Stut and shock change on Kia Sedona
Posted by: Walterk55 in Mamaroneck, NY.Purchased: September, 2005
Make: KiaModel: Sedona
Shop: C&S Mamaroneck NY
Kia Sedona 2002 - needed strut change badly. My shop lets me buy the parts myself and puts them in. Kia Sedona struts are only available from Kia :-( They cost almost $400 for the two front struts, add $100 for the rear - Monroes, and $500 labor. BUT, the van now rides nicely and feels much safer. Safety has its cost...
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Amount: $850.00 4 Shocks Installed
Posted by: DCL in Weymouth, MA.Purchased: December, 2009
Make: 2004 HondaModel: Civic
Shop: NTB
Price includes $110 alignment and Monroe Sensatrac shocks. Needed 2 new rear tires due to excessive wear (additional $260) from cupping. Ouch.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Amount: $250.00 Shocks vs Struts
Posted by: FlewHuey in Baton Rouge, LA.Purchased: October, 2008
Make: JeepModel: 93 GC
Shop: Highland Car Care
I had all 4 shocks on my '93 Jeep GC replaced with top quality for $250 in an hour. No alignment was then needed. (I could have done it myself.) Struts all around average $1000 for multi-link cars and half a day.

What would be appreciated would be help; links or lists, to find specific vehicles with wishbone / shock absorber suspensions vs, the multi=link / strut suspensions.

This kind of information is hard to find in the car reports, descriptions ans specs posted on the web.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam


Post About Your Experience With Car Shock Absorbers
 
Subject:  * Amount Spent:  *
Make: Model: 
Shop:   
Comments: 
Purchased:  Year: 
City:  * State:  *
 
Information about you:
Email:  * Email addresses are not displayed.
Name:  This is the name we'll display with your post.
me on this computer
*=required field.