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.
Is it hard to replace shocks yourself?
If you need to replace your car’s shock absorbers but don’t want to pay an expensive mechanic’s fee, you can do so
on your own
with a little effort. Shocks are essential to a car’s performance, giving it a smooth and even ride. Over time, however, the vehicle’s suspensions become worn out.
Can I replace shocks and struts myself?
Replacing struts used to be a dangerous job for a DIYer. … But these days you can buy a
complete strut assembly
that eliminates the strut/spring/mount disassembly process. These assemblies allow you to replace both of your front struts yourself in less than two hours.
How much is it to replace shocks and struts?
A typical shock and strut replacement can set you back anywhere
between $450 and $1,100
on parts and labor combined. An individual shock and strut assembly costs around $150 to $900, while estimated labor costs for replacing a shock and strut assembly can range anywhere from $150 to $300 per assembly.
Do you need to replace shocks and struts at the same time?
Shocks and struts should always be replaced at the same time
. Unlike some steering and suspension components, the left and right shocks/struts tend to wear down at the same rate. If the left shock or strut is damaged, there’s a good chance the right side also needs to be replaced.
Will new shocks make ride smoother?
Shocks and struts help keep the vehicle stable during acceleration and braking. … The customer may think that new shocks and struts will simply make their ride smoother, but the truth is that
new shocks and struts can do a whole lot more
. New shocks and struts can make a vehicle corner and brake like when it was new.
What are the symptoms of bad 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 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. … Remember, too, that whenever the struts are replaced, it becomes important to check the alignment, as it may have changed, to protect your vehicle tires and assure maximum safety.
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. … Wear on other parts: Driving with bad struts accelerates the wear on tires, as well as other components of the suspension system, such as the springs.
How much does a new suspension cost?
You need to look at the cost to repair or replace the suspension, plus the labor cost that will be associated with taking your car to an auto mechanic. The average cost of a suspension repair is
between $1,000-$5,000
.
How do I know if I need shocks or struts?
- Bumpy ride. The most obvious sign of a problem with your shocks or struts is that your car is giving you a much more uncomfortable ride than normal. …
- Steering problems. …
- Braking problems. …
- Fluid leaks. …
- Unusual tire tread wear. …
- Mileage.
What noise do bad shocks make?
Knocking Sound
: When you head over some bumps in the road, especially potholes, speed bumps, things like that and you hear a metallic knocking sound then that’s a good sign that your shocks are worn out.
Are shocks better than struts?
Well,
shock absorbers usually give you better handling
, while struts give you a lower initial cost for the vehicle. … If it continues to oscillate, the shock or strut on that corner of the vehicle is bad, and you always replace them in pairs, two fronts or two rears.
Why do I feel every bump on the road?
If you start to feel every bump on the road, it’s a
clear sign that there is a problem with your shock absorbers or struts
, that needs to be checked. An easy check is the bounce test. … If it bounces more than three times, then there is a problem with your shock absorbers or struts.
How do new shocks feel?
First, a new set of shocks and struts
needs to be broken in just like anything else
. … This means the amount of “give” in the shocks will gradually increase over time. Second, a brand-new passive suspension will feel especially rigid in comparison to a worn-out active suspension.
What shocks give the smoothest ride?
The smoothest riding shocks you can get would be ones identical or nearly identical to factory tuning, typically something like the Bilstein B4 series,
KYB Excel-G Series
, or Monroe OE Spectrum. All of these have the most forgiving valving for road handling and comfort.
