Cost Of Replacing Complete Strut Assembly – All You Need To Know

1 What Is A Strut Assembly And How Does It Work?

The strut assembly is a part of modern independent suspension systems used in vehicles today. As the demand for small and front-wheel drive cars increased, the underhood space became restricted and the old suspension systems could not be used. As a result, strut suspensions were introduced, which are also known as MacPherson strut assembly. A strut assembly primarily consists of two parts: coil spring and a shock absorber. It absorbs shocks and dampens the vibrations caused by road irregularities. The MacPherson strut is the most common type of strut assembly and is used in the front and rear suspensions of the vehicle.

2 What Is The Cost Of Replacing Complete Strut Assembly?

The cost of replacing a complete strut assembly in Canada includes the cost of the new strut assembly, labor charges, and other parts that might have to be replaced. The average cost of a strut assembly varies between $250 to $600, depending on the vehicle’s make and model. For some vehicles, an OEM strut assembly can cost around $1000. Labor charges for replacing your struts may vary between $150 to $300, depending on the number of strut assemblies replaced and the workshop. Overall, the average cost of replacing a pair of strut assemblies lies approximately between $500 to $900. Going to a car dealership to get your strut assembly replaced can cost you even more. You can end up paying a thousand grand on a typical front strut replacement. A good way to save money on your strut replacement would be to choose high-quality aftermarket parts and get your struts replaced by a trustworthy mechanic.

Some sample costs of replacing strut assembly 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.

Other costs related to strut assembly replacement include the cost of other replacement parts, including nuts, bushes, etc., and the cost of wheel alignment, which can be $100 to $150. The cost of strut assembly replacement can differ depending on vehicle make and model. For example, the cost of strut assembly replacement for GMC Sierra is approximately $800 to $1200, compared to $350 to $400 for Toyota Corolla.

3 Should I Replace A Strut Or The Complete Strut Assembly (Loaded vs Unloaded Strut)?

While changing your struts, you might have to choose between a loaded or unloaded strut. A loaded strut is a complete strut assembly with all the parts, including the strut, coil spring, and strut mounts. These parts come as an assembly and are pre-installed. An unloaded strut is just a strut and is relatively less expensive than a complete strut assembly or a loaded strut.

It is convenient to choose loaded struts because they are very easy to install. While installing an unloaded strut, the strut assembly has to be disassembled with a special shock and strut spring compressor tool. This requires a certain level of skill and the entire process is quite time-consuming. If you are planning to replace your struts, it’s recommended to purchase the complete strut assembly. A benefit of replacing complete strut assembly is that you get all new parts, including the spring, strut mounts, etc, and all worn-out parts are replaced at the same time.

Finally, if you hire a professional to replace the strut, the part and labor charges will cost you as much as a new strut assembly. You can instead change the complete strut assembly yourself and get a completely new setup, which will keep repairs at bay and save you money in the long run.

4 How Does A Strut Assembly Fail?

The life of a strut assembly is somewhere between 80,000 to 160,000 kilometers. Although they are sturdy components and can last a long time, the wear is inevitable and they might have to be replaced after 5 to 10 years. There are many factors, but poor road conditions and poor driving are the main reasons for strut failing quicker. Struts assemblies are designed to be strong, but a hard hit against a curb or going fast over a pothole can bend the strut housing. Strut assembly wears quickly when you consistently drive over bad roads, and as the struts wear, they lose their tension and support capabilities. Wear in seals can also cause the suspension fluid to leak, causing the dampers to fail and further making the ride bouncy and uncomfortable.

5 What Are The Signs Of A Bad Strut Assembly?

One or more strut assemblies of your vehicle can go bad and ultimately fail to perform optimally. People often cannot figure out which suspension assembly is faulty and how to check their suspensions. When the struts 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 as follows:

A. 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 struts help in controlling the excessive movement of the springs. If the shocks or strut assembly are worn or damaged, the wheels will get bouncy over uneven roads and lose contact with the road, resulting in uncomfortable and bouncy rides. If you notice your vehicle is slightly tilted to the left or right, it could be due to a bad strut assembly. You might also notice the car moving back and forth on a windy day while it is parked.

B. Front End Dives or Rear End Squats

Shocks and struts help keep the vehicle stable while acceleration and deceleration. A vehicle with bad struts and 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.

C. Increase In Body Roll

A bad strut assembly 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 due to bad strut assembly. This leads to an increased body roll that can cause vehicles to flip over while cornering and can lead to a major accident.

D. Uneven Tire Wear

A bad strut assembly 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.

E. Unusual Noises

As the shocks and bushings wear, they lose their ability to support the strut properly, resulting in the bottoming out (complete compression) of the strut and metal-to-metal contact. This creates a knocking sound while driving over uneven roads.

6 How To Replace A Car’s Strut Assembly?

Replacing your car’s strut assembly 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 strut assembly for your vehicle. You can also refer to our ultimate shock absorber buying guide.

Tools Required

• Car Jack
• Jack Stands
• Wheel Chocks
• Torque Wrench
• Complete Strut Assembly
• Ratchet

Step 1: Removing The Damaged Strut Assembly

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 stands 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.
5. With the wheel removed, loosen the bolts holding the strut and the steering knuckle with the help of a ratchet and socket. To make it easy, place a jack under the knuckle to lift it. You might also have to remove the brake line support if it is attached to the strut.
6. Free the strut from the knuckle by removing the bolts from the assembly. Sometimes the bolts get jammed because of rust. You can use rust loosening spray or WD-40 and hammer it gently to tap the strut out. 
7. In some vehicles, you have to first drop the sway bar or anti-roll bar to access the strut assembly. The sway bar works with the strut assembly to provide stability during bumps and uneven road conditions. Remove the mounting bracket to move the sway bar out of the way.
8. Locate the strut tower bolts under the hood and remove them to free the complete strut assembly from the body. The strut tower bolts are three bolts surrounding a center nut on the left and right sides of the engine bay.
9. Do not remove the center nut or the strut will come apart under the high tension of the spring. It’s better to have some extra hands to hold the strut assembly while you remove the tower bolts because you already have removed the bolts from the steering knuckle.

Step 2: Installing The New Strut Assembly

1. Slide in the new strut assembly and attach it to the steering knuckle.
2. Align the new strut assembly with the strut tower and finger tighten the bolts at the top of the strut tower. Remember to replace the old strut tower bolts with new ones.
3. Use a torque wrench to tighten the knuckle bolts to the manufacturer’s specification.
4. Reattach the sway bar and tighten the brake line support, if removed earlier. Replace your brake lines if they are old or damaged.
5. Reattach the wheel to the hub and hand tighten the lug nuts before lowering the vehicle.
6. Lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts to proper specifications. Also, tighten the strut tower bolts to finish the installation.
7. Perform a final check by driving the vehicle around and making sure everything is in its place.
8. If the vehicle pulls to the right or left, get your wheels aligned. Repeat the process for all the struts you want to change.

7 Tips To Remember During Strut Assembly Replacement

• 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.
• You can reduce the replacement cost by only replacing the strut or spring, whichever is damaged but do not try to change it unless you have technical skills and equipment.
• Grease the nuts before reinstalling them back to the knuckle. It will be easy for you to replace.
• Some vehicles require wheel alignment after the strut assembly is replaced. Do not take the vehicle for a drive unless the wheels are well aligned.

8 FAQs

How much does it cost to replace shocks and struts?

The cost of replacing shocks and struts varies depending on the make and model of your vehicle, the brand of the parts you choose, and whether you opt for a professional mechanic or a DIY approach. The average cost to replace a pair of front struts is between $400 and $900, while the average cost to replace a pair of rear struts is between $300 and $800. The cost of replacing struts can also vary depending on your engine type and model year. The prices are per each strut, not per pair.

How much does it cost to replace front struts?

The average cost to replace a pair of front struts is between $400 and $900. However, the cost of replacing struts can vary depending on your car’s make and model, the brand of the parts you choose, and whether you opt for a professional mechanic or a DIY approach.

How long does it take to replace a strut?

It typically takes around one to two hours to change struts, according to most professional mechanics. Even if you decide to replace them on your own, the estimated time is the same as long as you have previous mechanical skills and follow the process correctly. However, the time to get the struts replaced depends on the skill level of who is replacing them and how rusted the bolts and joints are. If you’re looking to save money, you can consider performing the job yourself, but it’s important to note that this task isn’t always easy and is not meant to be done by a novice.

Why are struts so expensive?

The cost of struts is due to the fact that they are made of various components and have to be manufactured under fairly tight tolerances. Additionally, they have to be able to support the weight of the front end of the car, which can make them more expensive. The cost of struts can also vary depending on your car’s make and model, the brand of the parts you choose, and whether you opt for a professional mechanic or a DIY approach.

Can you replace just the shock in a strut?

If your vehicle has separate shock absorbers, you can replace just the shock absorbers without replacing the entire strut assembly. However, if your vehicle has struts, replacing them will usually involve replacing both the shock absorber and other related components.

If you’re looking to replace just the shock absorber, you can follow the steps:

1. Use a spring compressor to compress the spring.
2. Remove the upper spring seat.
3. Remove the retaining nut on the center which is connected to the shock shaft.
4. Remove the shock absorber.
5. Install the new shock absorber.
6. Reinstall the upper spring seat.
7. Tighten the retaining nut on the center which is connected to the shock shaft.
8. Release the spring compressor.

How to remove spring from strut assembly?

Removing a spring from a strut assembly involves compressing the spring, removing the upper strut mount by unscrewing it, and carefully removing the compressed spring from the strut assembly. It is important to handle the spring with care as it is under tension and can be dangerous if it snaps free.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to remove a spring from a strut assembly:

1. Compress the spring using a spring compressor tool.
2. Remove the upper strut mount by unscrewing it.
3. Carefully remove the compressed spring from the strut assembly.