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| | | 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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Article updated October 2007 |
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