The importance of shocks and struts are extremely high in every modern car on the road today. By understanding the importance of these parts and these internal components’ function, you can figure out the average cost to replace shocks and struts when you notice something going wrong in your car.
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Both of these internal suspension parts play a huge role in the suspension, steering, and safety system within your vehicle. The shocks and struts keep the car smoothly on the road, prevent any swaying back and forth, and enhance the vehicle’s stability to work effectively on varying terrain.
Determining the average cost to replace shocks and struts is usually characterized by replacing both struts or both shocks in pairs since everything has to be done simultaneously. The cost is affected by the brand of struts, the brand of shocks, the autobody shop or mechanic you choose, and your vehicle’s make and model.
Usually, the average cost to replace shocks and struts comes in between $50 and $900 on the high end to replace just the pair of struts. In addition, you will have to pay the labor costs for this job, which typically come in between $150 and $300 on average.
What is a shock?
When looking at the average cost to replace shocks and struts, you need to know each component and the function. The shock absorber in your vehicle keeps the tires on the ground while driving on rough terrain and uneven roads, ensuring the ride is smooth and comfortable. This mechanism allows you to maintain proper control of the vehicle and keep it from veering off of the road in tough conditions. Although struts and shocks are designed the same, they differ slightly in terms of the average cost to replace shocks and struts and the internal mechanism.
The vehicle’s weight for the shock is mainly located on the link between two suspension parts. Unlike struts, the shock contains the two suspension parts to connect the internal steering system. This connection between the two parts in the suspension contains a cylinder.
This cylinder is called the reserve tube and contains hydraulic fluid. As we know, hydraulic fluid is key to lubricating the internal engine system and the transmission to prevent overheating and excess friction. If this cylinder is damaged or wears down over time, it can increase the overall average cost to replace shocks and struts.
When looking at the average cost to replace shocks and struts, the shocks are formed where the cylinder houses another cylinder, called the pressure cylinder. This pressure cylinder is a piston that travels and analyzes the flow of fluid between pistons, ensuring the engine’s fluid level is at the proper level for the engine to function at the right performance necessary to drive the car.
Although this mechanism might sound simple to some, various things can go wrong with a shock absorber. When comparing the average cost to replace shocks and struts, there are different symptoms of failing struts and failing shocks, so we need to look at both.
What are struts?
Analyzing the average cost to replace shocks and struts, you will find many similarities in both parts in terms of the function, construction, and overall mechanism. However, some differences are imperative to understanding how to keep your vehicle running at a high level and the replacement costs as low as possible.
In a car with a strut suspension, the struts are the shock absorbers of the car. In a vehicle that uses a shock suspension, shocks are used to dampen the vibrations and keep a smooth ride.
In this type of suspension, struts replace the shock absorbers, controlling the bouncing amount in your car and preventing sudden stops from jerking your vehicle. Although shocks are standard, when looking at the average cost to replace shocks and struts, you might find that more car owners choose struts, as they are cheaper to add in your vehicle.
Symptoms of failing shocks and struts
Noticing these signs and symptoms of bad or failing shocks and struts can help you decide as to whether or not it is time to pay for a repair or replacement in your vehicle. If you notice any of these signs of failing shocks and struts, the average cost to replace shocks and struts could be much higher in your vehicle.
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Vibrations
If the piston seal inside the shocks has become damaged due to prolonged use, it might not be in the correct position. If the shock is not sitting in the right spot, it can allow fluid to flow past the valve. The flowing of fluid will lead to an incorrect fluid level and cause leaks, causing uneven terrain to cause excessive vibration that you can feel in the steering wheel. As soon as you feel vibrations in the wheel, you can expect to pay a higher average cost to replace shocks and struts.
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Swerving while braking
If the piston seal or the valve placed inside of the shock is breaking down over time, too much fluid will flow, causing a slight shift in the steering wheel to cause extreme piston movement. This can even apply to a light press on the brake pedal, as this motion will make the vehicle shift extremely hard to one side. If you notice your vehicle swerving while braking or moving while slightly turning the wheel, you will have an increased average cost to replace shocks and struts.
When you press on the brake pedal, the weight will cause your car to nose dive, making it lurch forward and dip down while braking. Despite differences between struts vs. shocks, nose-diving is extremely dangerous in either situation, leading to a hazardous situation on the road if other cars are involved.
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Less Efficient Braking
If you find that it is taking a long time to stop the car when you press on the brakes, this means that the shocks are slowly wearing down over time and are damaged. Both instances of damaged shocks or struts can cause the stopping distance to increase, due to the extra time the car must use to take up all of the piston rod lengths. Since the internal components will succumb to excessive friction and wear, this can enhance the average cost to replace shocks and struts.
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Uneven tire wear
Uneven tire wear and treads can usually be noticed by analyzing your tires during a wheel or tire change and feeling uneven while driving on flat roads. A worn shock is usually the culprit with this issue, as you will be unable to keep the tires firmly and evenly on the surface.
Both struts and shocks can become damaged to the point that a slight bounce can cause the vehicle to move unevenly over the road, leading to uneven tire wear. As the tire spins and rotates, a specific contact area comes in contact with the road more frequently than other parts. If you notice a higher breakdown in a certain tire spot, this can cause the average cost to replace shocks and struts to increase.
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Leaking fluid
When you visually inspect the seals surrounding the shaft in your shocks, you might notice that they do not look quite right. If this is the case, the shock will begin to leak fluid down the mechanism’s side and drip onto the ground. This loss of fluid can reduce the shock’s ability, causing a higher average cost to replace shocks and struts.
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Cracked bushing
At each end of the shock, some points allow it to connect securely to the car. These attachments contain rubber bushings to keep the connection tight and sealed properly. If one of these bushings were to crack, you might hear a loud noise as your vehicle is driving over uneven terrain and speed bumps.
In this case, you need to identify the root cause of the issue and find out how to diagnose and repair the cracked bushing before it gets any worse. A cracked bushing can increase the average cost to replace shocks and struts.
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Instability
While driving faster, like cruising down the highway, you might notice that your car feels unstable and shakes during use. If this is the case, your vehicle will constantly be moving up and down, leading to an uncomfortable ride that reduces your vehicle’s performance. Instability in the wheels, tires, or vehicle frame can cause a higher average cost to replace shocks and struts.
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Tipping to One Side
Similar to the car nose-diving during braking and rolling unsteadily due to uneven tire wear, your vehicle can also “tip” to one side. When you are taking a sharp turn, such as after a stop sign or around a sharp curve on an off-ramp from the highway, you might notice that your vehicle will excessively lean to one side and feel wobbly while turning. A wobbly vehicle can cause a much higher average cost to replace shocks and struts.
Struts vs. Shocks Replacements
When determining what kind of shock absorbers your car currently uses, you need to figure out if you should get the struts or shocks repaired or replaced. When you are buying struts or shocks, you buy brand-name products so you can use reliable, consistent, and confidence-inspiring products that are long-lasting and durable.
Although you will be buying different products when comparing struts vs. shocks, you still need to keep in mind that you can choose what works best for you and your goal. If performance is your main concern, you can buy stiffer shocks and struts. However, if you prefer a comfortable and smooth ride, you might want other struts or shocks.
Shocks and Struts Replacement Cost
The average cost for a strut replacement generally runs between $450 and $900 to replace a pair. If you are just replacing a single strut, the repair price will come to between $130 and $300, while labor will cost you between $150 and $300 for the pair.
If you are replacing shocks, you can expect to pay between $250 and $580 to replace two shocks. Paying the labor price for this fix will cost you between $150 and $300 on average.
The parts included in the repair for the shocks and struts replacement’s average cost include the springs, shock absorbers, and the anti-sway bars. Usually, both sides of these suspension systems are replaced in tandem to prevent any uneven breakdown or wear and tear on just one side of your steering system.
Expensive Replacement Cost?
If you find that the average cost to replace shocks and struts is too much for your financial situation at the moment, you have an option of what to do next so that you can make the best choice for you, your car, and your wallet. If you need some quick money to put aside to make money for this fix, then you can save some money and put off the necessary replacements.
However, if you find that your car’s overall condition is not worth the shocks and struts replacement cost, you may find the better option is to sell your car for some money to get a new vehicle. Turning your car in for some money and scrapping your car can give you the much needed financial boost to keep a car running at a high performing level.
By using Cash Cars Buyer, you can scrap your car for money to provide cash in hand – fast! This service ensures you can begin saving towards a new, high-performing, and healthy vehicle that works for you and your lifestyle.
Conclusion
When looking at the average cost to replace shocks and struts, you need to take into account the function of the shocks and struts within your vehicle, the important part they play in the steering and suspension system, and the symptoms of failing shocks and struts. Noticing these signs and symptoms can help prevent this issue from getting worse and lead to higher replacement costs.