How much should a strut replacement cost?

To replace a pair of struts, the total cost on average is between $400 and $1000, including wheel alignment. An individual strut assembly costs approximately $150 to $350, while the labor cost is $100 to $300 for a pair.

How much does it cost to replace all 4 struts?

On average, expect to pay somewhere between $450 and $900 to replace a pair of struts. An individual strut assembly will cost about $150 to $300 so you’re looking at around $300 to $600 for parts alone. Labor alone will set you back about $150 to $300 for the pair.

Is it worth it to replace struts?

Struts don’t need to be replaced unless your vehicle is bouncing like it’s on a pogo stick or bottoms out in potholes and over railroad tracks — or unless a mechanic finds that they’re leaking fluid or have been damaged. In some climates, they can also rust.

What happens if you don’t replace struts?

Safety: Worn struts result in longer stopping times and/or distances as the vehicle weight can shift (sometimes unexpectedly) during braking. This also negatively affects your ability to stay in control of your vehicle.

Is it hard to replace struts?

The good news is, some repairs are easy to do at home. Like replacing shocks and struts. It’s not a job that you should attempt if you’re not familiar working with vehicles, but with a little training and experience, you’ll be ready to tackle the job.

Should you replace all 4 struts at once?

Shocks and struts should always be replaced in pairs or, better yet, all four, for even, predictable handling and control.

Is it OK to replace only one strut?

Do you have to replace both shock absorbers or struts if only one is bad? It’s not necessary, but it’s usually recommended to replace them in pairs, for example, both front struts or both rear shocks. This is because a new shock absorber will absorb road bumps better than the old one.

Why are struts expensive?

Strut Replacement

Driving on worn struts actually costs you more because the unchecked bouncing destroys your tires and quickly wears out other expensive suspension components like ball joints, control arm bushings, stabilizer bar end links and tie rod ends.

What are the signs of a bad strut?

The Warning Signs Of Worn Shocks And Struts
  • Instability at highway speeds. …
  • Vehicle “tips” to one side in turns. …
  • The front end dives more than expected during hard braking. …
  • Rear-end squat during acceleration. …
  • Tires bouncing excessively. …
  • Unusual tire wear. …
  • Leaking fluid on the exterior of shocks or struts.

Should I replace both front struts at the same time?

Shocks and struts should always be replaced in pairs (front axle or rear axle), and it’s even better to replace the shocks/struts on all four wheels at one time. This helps maintain reliable handling and a consistent response on both sides of the vehicle.

Do you have to change both struts at the same time?

Just like replacing your brakes or tires, you should replace your shocks in pairs. However, you don’t need to replace the front and rear shocks at the same time. As long as you replace both fronts or both rears at the same time, you’ll be fine.

What happens if I change one strut?

Not only can new struts/shocks help prevent uneven tire wear, they also directly contribute to your brake stopping distance. If only one front strut/shock is replaced, the vehicle could potentially pull to one side under hard braking.

How long do struts last?

5-10 years
On average shocks and struts can last 5-10 years or 50,000-100,000 miles under ideal driving conditions. Many factors can affect the lifespan of these components to include: manufacturer, bad roads, heavy loads, towing, hard braking and aggressive driving.

What is the difference between shocks and struts?

However, shocks and struts are two distinct parts with different functions. While both can help with your vehicle’s ride and handling, these parts work in different ways. Shocks are individual components of the suspension system while struts are a major structural component of the chassis and suspension system.

Can I replace struts with shocks?

A shock cannot be used to replace a strut and a strut cannot be used to replace a shock. A vehicle will have either a shock or a strut at each wheel, never both. Every vehicle was designed with either shocks or struts and your vehicle’s suspension cannot be changed to use the other.

What happens if a strut breaks while driving?

Suspension Damage

When a strut is broken, one area of the vehicle is free to move farther and faster than the others. This increases the wear on the other suspension components and may cause the failure of these components. Damage to other suspension components may greatly increase the cost of needed repairs.

Do car’s have both shocks and struts?

Every wheel on your vehicle has either a shock or a strut – never both, never neither. However, you may have struts on your front wheels and shocks on your rear wheels.

What does a broken strut sound like?

Bad strut sounds are usually described as a hollow clunking or banging type of sound. You’ll typically hear the noise when the vehicle is traveling over irregularities in the road. Most front strut assemblies also have a bearing at the top.

Can a bad strut cause an accident?

Worn-Out Shocks and Struts Can Damage Other Car Components

If your shocks and struts are malfunctioning, they may put additional pressure on the control arms, ball joints, and other suspension components. Over time, these issues may result in a car accident. They can also require costly, time-intensive repairs.

Can you drive without a strut?

Your car’s suspension system wouldn’t exist without struts. Stuts are the part that hold your vehicle off the ground. Without them, it would fall to the pavement.

Can you drive with leaking struts?

If you continue driving with worn-out struts it will make your ride continually unstable and seriously dangerous. What’s worse, the damage doesn’t stay isolated to just your struts either, it doesn’t take long for your tires to start wearing out unevenly or having a harder time keeping contact with the road.

Do bad struts cause tire wear?

Uneven tire wear – When your vehicle’s shocks and struts are worn out, the car can bounce, causing a reduction in road holding force. This bouncing can also cause accelerated tire wear including cupping or scalloping of the tires (when pieces of rubber are gouged out of the tire).