Strut Replacement Cost: How Much Does It Cost to Replace Struts?
Reviewed by Eric Shepherd, ASE-Certified Technician (and Gemba’s Accidental Social Media Star!)
So, the struts on your vehicle are bad. You got the estimate and now you’re Googling if the estimate seems reasonable. Sound familiar?
There isn’t a universal price when it comes to replacing struts, so finding a straightforward answer can be difficult. According to RepairPal, the estimated national average for a shock or strut replacement is approximately $1,144 to $1,348, including $332 to $487 for labor and $812 to $862 for parts. This estimate covers the repair category of shock or strut replacement and should not be interpreted as a standard price for replacing a pair of struts. These figures are national estimates and exclude taxes, fees and additional repairs. Actual costs can vary considerably depending on the vehicle, suspension design, number of components being replaced and labor involved.
At Gemba Automotive, technicians understand that each vehicle is different and each situation can be different, so a generic internet estimate shouldn’t determine what your vehicle needs.
According to Eric Shepherd, ASE-Certified Technician at Gemba Automotive, strut replacement can be a mixed bag due to their design having unique labor and part costs. He recommends that customers “plan a visit to have your struts inspected, let’s gather some information as to why you think you need them, and diagnose based on what you tell me.”
In other words, before the doom scrolling starts and you’re worrying about the potential cost, let’s make sure you actually need new struts.
How Much Does Strut Replacement Cost?
Your actual strut replacement cost depends on what you’re driving and what’s actually being replaced. The national average for a shock or strut replacement is approximately $1,144 to $1,348 which includes the cost of replacement parts and labor. However, prices can vary depending on whether you drive a small commuter car or a large, lifted truck.
Different years, makes and models have different suspension designs so the part selection will be different, the accessibility will be different, and depending on if you need one or two struts will also influence the actual cost, in addition to taxes.
What Is Included in Strut Replacement Cost?
Strut replacement estimates generally come down to three major categories: parts, labor and whether an alignment is needed afterward.
Strut or Strut Assembly
Struts aren’t exactly straightforward parts. A bare strut typically includes just the strut itself, while a complete or loaded strut assembly may include the coil spring, upper mount, bearing, boot, bump stop and spring insulators, depending on the vehicle. Replacing a bare strut generally requires transferring reusable components from the old assembly or replacing them separately, which can increase labor time. A complete strut assembly, on the other hand, arrives with many of those components already assembled, potentially reducing installation labor but increasing the cost of parts. Neither option is automatically cheaper. The total strut replacement cost depends on the vehicle, the condition of the existing components and the labor involved.
Strut Replacement Labor Cost
The labor cost generally depends on how the vehicle was engineered. Accessibility, the location, if any additional disassembly is required as well as the condition of the surrounding parts all determine the amount of work required to replace the struts.
For example, two SUVs might look similar when you are sitting behind them in traffic, but they could potentially have two very different suspension designs underneath them.
“Older vehicles typically have four shocks that share a tighter price range and are overall easier to absorb financially,” Shepherd said, adding that modern vehicles are frequently designed with MacPherson struts. “There are more parts to a MacPherson set-up such as heavy-duty springs, a mount plate, bearing and isolator with the cylinder running through the center of the spring. Whereas Shocks are just the cylinder. As always, the costs are unique across the board due to designs that can differ greatly when it comes to part and labor costs.”
Alignment
Depending on the vehicle and the repairs performed, you may need an alignment after the strut replacement as replacing them can alter the suspension geometry, including the camber, toe and caster.
Front Strut Replacement Cost vs. Rear Strut Replacement Cost
Replacing the front struts isn’t always more expensive than replacing the rear. The cost depends on the vehicle’s suspension design and how the various components are configured, the parts that need to be replaced and the labor procedure.
Some vehicles may use struts up front and shocks in the rear while others could have different configurations. If you want to compare your estimate with another vehicle’s, make sure you know what your vehicle’s setup is.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Shocks and Struts?
It is important to note that shocks and struts are not interchangeable terms. Both help control suspension movement, but the strut is also a structural component that makes up the suspension. It can support the spring and help maintain the correct placement for the wheel position and alignment.
When it comes to searching the internet for the cost to replace shocks and struts, it can be misleading. Your vehicle might be equipped with four shocks, four struts or a combination. A correct cost estimate should start with the vehicle, not use a generic four-corner price.
Why Is Strut Replacement So Expensive?
Depending on your vehicle and the repair, you might be paying for more than just a metal cylinder. The job itself can include the strut itself, any components related to the spring, the mount, bearing, isolators, any necessary hardware, labor and an alignment at the end. During an inspection, other worn suspension components might also be discovered.
Some complete strut assemblies arrive with the coil spring, and the related components pre-assembled, while others might require you to transfer all the necessary components from the old part to the new one.
Should Struts Be Replaced in Pairs?
Struts are often recommended for replacement in pairs, although the appropriate repair depends on the vehicle, component condition and manufacturer guidance. Shepherd explains the reasoning from a technician’s perspective:
“Certainly, we can replace just one strut. However, the reasoning behind replacing struts in tandem is because the heavy-duty spring that is loaded into the assembly went over those same bumps in the road as the other, with the same bearing loaded mount with degraded isolating elastomeric material that doesn't like the valley's severe heat. When you place one new strut to be paired with a worn one, you might experience underperforming handling, unbalanced braking and dampening, with uneven tire wear and excessive stress of the system. The struts are a suspension component that is also an integral part of your steering system. Because of their shared duty, it's better practice to perform an alignment service after strut replacement.”
Do You Need an Alignment After Replacing Struts?
An alignment is often recommended after replacing struts because struts can influence wheel position and suspension geometry. If the alignment is off, you may experience uneven tire wear and handling problems that no one wants to face while traveling Loop 101 or Loop 202.
How Long Do Struts Last?
There isn’t a magic mileage number for when a set of struts will go bad. The strut wear depends on your vehicle, the design of the suspension as well as road conditions, driving habits, the environment and the surrounding suspension components.
All of those variables also matter in Arizona where daily commuting can be on the freeway with rough pavement and potholes or through construction zones. Mileage alone shouldn’t determine whether you need new struts.
What Are the Signs of Bad Struts?
Potential signs of worn or damaged struts can include:
- Excessive bouncing
- Poor ride control
- Excessive nose-diving while braking
- Uneven tire wear
- Instability
- Clunking or unusual suspension noises
- Visible leakage
- Changes in steering or handling
The important thing to remember is that these symptoms don’t automatically mean the struts are bad. A clunk over a speed bump could have another source, while uneven tire wear may point to an alignment or suspension problem. Loose steering can also originate elsewhere in the steering or suspension system, which is why a proper diagnosis matters.
How Technicians Determine Whether Your Struts Need Replacement
At Gemba Automotive, the first step to figuring out what’s going on with your vehicle is to understand where the symptom is actually coming from.
“Firstly, I would test-drive the vehicle and confirm their concerns or symptoms that they've been experiencing,” Shepherd said, adding that he would look for any strut cylinder leaks, inspect the strut mounts for isolator integrity, and perform a jounce test. “Other strut-like symptoms such as clunking, uneven tire wear or steering that feels loose could point me towards inspecting the sway-bar links, ball joints, tie rods and control arm bushings.”
What Else Should Be Inspected When Struts Are Replaced?
Suspension components work together, so technicians might inspect the strut mounts, bearings, springs, control arms and bushings, ball joints, tie rods, sway-bar links and tires. The vehicle’s alignment should also be considered. That said, not every part needs to be replaced; the point of the inspection is to determine which parts are actually worn and need replacement.
Can You Drive with Bad Struts?
Depending on how bad your struts are, it can affect the ride control, handling, tire contact, stability and braking behavior. Like many other components on a vehicle, there isn’t a universal answer that says you can only drive X number of miles. If your vehicle suddenly handles differently, feels unstable or has visible suspension damage, have it inspected promptly.
Is It Worth Replacing Struts on an Older Car?
Often, yes, but the decision depends on the condition of the entire vehicle. A paid-off vehicle that is otherwise reliable may still be well worth repairing. But you should consider the whole vehicle. A vehicle that needs struts plus other major repairs deserves a broader conversation. Consider the vehicle’s overall mechanical condition, mileage, other upcoming repairs, expected ownership period and total repair cost before making the decision.
Strut Replacement Cost in Arizona
Struts in Arizona don’t come with a special “desert price.” It varies by vehicle type, parts needed and labor costs. But driving in the Valley of the Sun is relevant when technicians are inspecting the vehicle and the suspension. Arizona's prolonged extreme heat can accelerate deterioration of some rubber suspension components, while potholes, rough pavement and construction zones can contribute to suspension wear and alignment problems.
Whether your commute takes you down I-10, Loop 202 or surface streets through Phoenix, the important thing is not guessing which part of your vehicle has failed.
Gemba Automotive diagnoses the source of the problem first and recommends what the vehicle actually needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Strut Replacement Cost
How much does it cost to replace struts?
Strut replacement cost varies significantly by vehicle, parts, labor and repair configuration. The estimated national average for a shock or strut replacement is approximately $1,144 to $1,348, including $332 to $487 for labor and $812 to $862 for parts. This is a national estimate for the shock or strut replacement repair category, not a standard price for replacing two struts. Actual costs depend on the vehicle and repair required.
How much does it cost to replace front struts?
There is no universal front strut replacement price. Vehicle design, parts configuration, whether one or both sides are replaced and labor requirements determine the estimate.
How much does it cost to replace rear struts?
Rear strut replacement is also vehicle specific. Some vehicles don’t use rear struts at all, so the suspension configuration must be identified first.
Should struts be replaced in pairs?
They don’t universally have to be, but replacing both struts may be recommended for more consistent damping, handling and wear.
Do you need an alignment after replacing struts?
An alignment is commonly recommended after strut replacement because the repair can affect suspension geometry, although requirements vary by vehicle and suspension design.
How long do struts last?
There is no single replacement mileage. Vehicle design, driving habits, loads, road conditions and environment all affect how quickly struts wear.
Can you drive with bad struts?
If the vehicle has significant handling changes, instability or physical suspension damage, have it inspected promptly rather than relying on a generic mileage limit.
Is it worth replacing struts on an older car?
Often, yes. Consider the vehicle’s overall mechanical condition, repair cost, other upcoming needs and how long you plan to keep it.
Know What You’re Paying For
If your vehicle is bouncing, clunking, wearing tires unevenly or no longer feels stable on the road, the problem may involve the struts, or another steering or suspension component. A proper inspection can identify what's actually worn before parts are recommended.
Schedule a Steering & Suspension Inspection at Gemba Automotive