What Is The Cost Of Shock Absorber Replacement?

1 What Is A Shock Absorber And How Does It Work?

Shock absorbers are essential components that allow you to experience a comfortable drive while driving over potholes and bumps by absorbing all the shocks and jerks. Shock absorbers are designed to dampen the compression and rebound of the springs. It also protects the engine parts from getting damaged due to sudden impacts and vibrations. Furthermore, they also control unwanted and excessive motion of the springs and keep the wheels in contact with the road.

A shock absorber is a cylinder that features two compartments filled with either a liquid or a gas. It has a  piston inside that moves up and down inside the oil-filled cylinder and absorbs the bump by compressing the liquid. This piston has small orifices in its head that allow a small amount of suspension fluid to flow up and down, slowing the suspension’s movement. Thus, helping to further dampen the compression and rebound of the suspension. To put it simply, the spring in suspension absorbs the energy produced from the bumps and the shock absorber absorbs the unwanted spring vibrations and slows down the spring movement by creating resistance.

2 Difference Between A Shock Absorber And Strut Assembly?

A suspension system of a vehicle comprises various parts, including shock absorbers (or struts) and springs. The springs cushion the ride by absorbing the shocks and vibrations while riding on a rough road. Whereas shock absorbers (or struts) limit the vertical motion of the springs. People usually use the terms struts and shock absorbers interchangeably, but they are two different parts. However, A strut acts exactly like a shock absorber but differs in design and construction. 

1. The primary difference between a strut and shock absorber is their location and use. A strut, also known as MacPherson Strut, is used in vehicles with a lower control arm and is connected to the steering knuckle. Whereas a shock absorber is used on a vehicle that has a lower and upper control arm.
2. Most passenger cars today use Macpherson strut assemblies on the front wheels, while some have them on the rear wheels as well. Also,  many manufacturers equip struts on the front wheels and shock absorbers at the rear wheels.
3. Unlike shock absorbers, a strut assembly serves a second function of providing structural support for the vehicle’s suspension system. They also keep the wheels in an aligned position.

3 How Does A Shock Absorber Get Damaged?

Over time, the shock absorbers wear out and fail to perform optimally. Generally, a shock absorber has a life of 80,000 to 100,000 km, but they fail quickly if the vehicle is driven consistently over bad roads. As the shock absorbers wear, they lose their tension and support capabilities. The seals can break and cause the suspension fluid to leak, causing the shocks to fail, making the ride bouncy and uncomfortable. Although the suspension of a vehicle is a sturdy component and can last a long time, the wear is inevitable and it might need replacement after 5 to 10 years. There are several factors, but poor road conditions and poor driving are the main reasons behind the early damage to your shock absorbers. Even a hard hit against a curb or going fast over a pothole can bend the shocks and cause damage.

4 When Should You Replace Your Shock Absorbers?

One or more shocks of your vehicle can go bad and ultimately cannot perform optimally. People often cannot figure out which shock absorber is faulty and how to check the suspensions. When the shock absorbers fail, they exhibit a wide range of symptoms that can be easily identified so you can carry out a timely replacement. Some of these symptoms are‌: 

1. Bouncy Ride: The coil springs absorb the energy produced by the up and down movement of the vehicle due to uneven roads and bumps, while the shock absorbers help in controlling the excessive movement of the springs. If the shocks or strut assembly is bad, the wheels get bouncy over uneven roads and lose contact with the road, resulting in an uncomfortable driving experience. If you notice your vehicle is slightly tilted to the left or right, it could be due to worn-out lousy shock absorbers.

2. Fluid Leakage: To absorb the force produced because of bumps and potholes, shock absorbers require hydraulic fluid. Damage to the shock absorbers and seals can cause the suspension fluid to leak. This happens when top seals get damaged or worn and dirt and debris clog the shocks. 

3. Reduced Braking Capacity: The vehicle’s ability to stop quickly and efficiently is crucial for the safety of passengers and other travelers on the road. The function of a shock absorber is to absorb the force of the car against the road, especially when the vehicle is braking. Brakes apply force to the wheels to stop them and suspension directs that force to the rest of the vehicle. A vehicle with damaged shock absorbers takes more distance to stop than normal.

4. Front End Dives Or Rear End Squats: Shocks and struts help keep the vehicle stable while acceleration and deceleration. A vehicle with bad shocks dives from the front while braking and squats from the rear end while accelerating. This happens when the strut assembly isn’t strong enough to handle the weight of the vehicle.

5. Increase In Body Roll: Bad shock absorbers can make a car unsafe while cornering. Like the vehicle dip and squats during acceleration and deceleration, the vehicle’s body also starts leaning towards the turns because of severe shocks. This leads to an increased body roll that can cause vehicles to flip over while cornering and can lead to a major accident.

6. Uneven Tire Wear: A bad shock absorber causes bouncy rides, resulting in inconsistent tire-to-road contact and causing tire wear out unevenly. This can also make the tires prone to scalloping and cupping, which are patches of high and low spots on the surface of the tire.

7. Unusual Noises: As the shocks and bushings wear, it leads to the bottoming and metal-to-metal contact. This creates a knocking sound while driving over uneven roads.

5 What Is The Cost Of Replacing A Shock Absorber?

If you have a bad shock absorber, it’s better to have it changed before it affects other components too. A typical shock absorber replacement can cost you somewhere between $200 to $500, including the labor charges and part costs. The labor cost of replacing your shock absorbers can range between $100 to $200. Since these shock absorbers are always replaced in pairs, you’re looking at a total cost of $300 to $700 However, these prices can vary depending on your location and type of vehicle. If you are an experienced DIYer, you can save money on the overall replacement cost. Replacing your shock absorbers does not alter the steering, caster, and camber angle, therefore, eliminating the cost of wheel alignment from the total bill. If your vehicle has struts, the cost of replacing your strut assembly in Canada lies approximately between $500 to $900.

Some sample costs of replacing shock absorbers for some popular car models are mentioned in the table below. These prices are an estimate and are subject to change. They do not include taxes, diagnostics, and other charges.

6 Factors That Affect The Shock Absorber Replacement Cost

The cost of a shock absorber depends on various factors, such as the type of shock absorber, make and model, and genuine or aftermarket parts. Some of these factors that can alter the price of shock replacement are‌: 

1. Make And Model: Vehicle’s make and model is a big factor that affects the cost of a shock absorber. The cost of shock absorber replacement can be more for high-end cars. For example, a shock absorber for BMW will cost you $1700 – $1800 and the same for a Volkswagen Golf can cost you $700 – $800.
2. OEM Vs Aftermarket Parts: ‌‌Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts are costlier than aftermarket parts because of their high quality and warranty offered by the manufacturers. However, some aftermarket manufacturers also provide high-performance and high-quality parts that match the OEM fit and performance. Aftermarket parts are a great alternative to OEM parts and they save you a lot of money on front shock absorber replacement costs.
3. Shock Absorber Type: The replacement cost of shock absorbers depends on the type of shock absorbers used. Performance shocks are not a cost-effective option for vehicles that are driven daily. Performance shock absorbers are good for off-road vehicles, SUVs, and race cars. Refer to our ultimate shock absorber buying guide for making a sound and informed decision while selecting shock absorbers for your vehicle.

7 How To Replace A Damaged Shock Absorber?

Replacing your car’s shock absorbers isn’t a hard job. All you need is a little technical knowledge and the right tools to carry out the replacement. Before starting with the replacement procedure, ensure you have the correct shocks for your vehicle.

Tools Required

• Car Jack
• Jack Stands
• Wheel Chocks
• Torque Wrench
• Ratchet
• Socket Set
• Wrenches
• Rubber Mallet 
• Pry Bar And Breaker Bar
• Rust Loosening Spray or WD-40
• Lug Wrench

Step 1: Removing The Old Shock Absorber

1. Park your car on a leveled surface, secure the vehicle’s wheel using wheel chocks, and engage the parking brakes.
2. Take a lug wrench and loosen the wheel’s lug nuts. Do not remove the lug nuts completely.
3. Place a jack under the car to lift it off the ground and install the jack stand under the vehicle. You can also refer to the owner’s manual for the right placement of the jack.
4. Remove the lug nuts and the wheel. Locate the shock absorbers.
5. Place a jack under the lower control arm and jack it up enough to take some pressure off the suspension.
6. Remove the lower shock absorber mounting bolts using a socket or wrench. Sometimes the bolts get jammed because of rust. You can use rust loosening spray or WD-40 and tap it gently using a hammer to remove the bolt. 
7. Remove the bolts from the shock tower and disconnect the shock from the vehicle’s body. If you are working on rear shock absorbers, some vehicles have top bolts under the fabric inside the trunk. You can access these bolts by removing the lining inside the trunk.
8. Depending upon the suspension design, some vehicles need the brakes caliper and rotor to be removed to access the shock absorbers. Also, remove the sway bar or anti-roll bar if required.

Step 2: Installing The New Shock Absorbers

1. Install the new shock absorber back onto the suspension control arm and fix the shock tower back into its position. Lift the suspension by using a jack if required.
2. Fasten the bolts and nuts using a torque wrench to the proper torque specifications specified in your user manual.
3. Reinstall the brake rotor back onto the hub and install the brake brackets back to the knuckle. Torque the bolts and install the calipers and brake pads back onto the bracket if removed earlier. 
4. Reinstall the sway bar too if removed earlier.
5. Reinstall the wheel and hand tighten the nuts before lowering the vehicle.
6. Lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts to proper specifications.
7. Perform a final check by driving the vehicle around to make sure everything is in its place. 

Tips To Remember While Replacing A Shock Absorber

• Always use jack stands with the jacks to ensure your safety. A jack should only be used to lift the vehicle. To hold it in place, only jack stands should be used.
• Shock absorbers should always be replaced in pairs to ensure that both the shocks are in equivalent working conditions. Replace both the shock absorbers on one axle (front or rear) to ensure the vehicle remains balanced and stable.
• A bounce test is a simple way to check the suspensions of your vehicle. If your vehicle continues to bounce even after pushing one corner of your vehicle, that suspension is bad and needs replacement.
• Some vehicles have shock absorbers and springs fitted together, known as strut assemblies. While replacing these struts, the bushes and plates need to be inspected and replaced if required. Replacing front shock absorbers or strut assemblies is tough compared to rear ones.
• While uninstalling the suspensions, the sway bar link can be difficult to remove. In the process of removing your shocks, the sway bar link can get damaged and might have to be replaced. The cost of a sway bar link is approximately $20 – $200, depending on the vehicle.

8 FAQs

How much to replace car suspension?

The cost of replacing a car’s suspension system can vary depending on the type of system, make, model, and year of the vehicle. According to Auto Chimps, the cost of repairing a car’s suspension system can range from $200 to $400 depending on the cause of the issue. However, CostHelper estimates that replacing a suspension system can cost anywhere between $1,000 to $5,000 or more.

Should I replace front and rear shocks at the same time?

It is recommended to replace both front and rear shocks at the same time. This is because shocks and struts wear out gradually over time, and if one pair is replaced before the other, it can lead to uneven wear and tear on your suspension system, which may cause premature failure of other components such as ball joints and bushings.

However, if you are on a tight budget, you can replace the pair that is in worse condition first and then replace the remaining pair as soon as possible.