How Much Does it Cost to Replace Your Shocks?

In this article we are going to learn a little bit more about shocks, how to fix them and how much it may cost you. You may think you can handle a bumpier ride so you can save some money for now but once shocks start to go they can quickly go down hill on you.

How Do You Know Your Shocks Need Replacing?

The early signs of your shocks wearing out can be subtle but you should be vigilant to any odd changes with your vehicle. There are only a few main signs that will tell you that you have shock issues so if you spot them take them seriously.

Uneven Tire Wear

Let's first start by explaining that when your shocks are working fine and your wheels are aligned correctly the tread of your tires should be evenly distributed on the road's surface. If you have developing issues with your shocks however you might notice uneven tire wear.

The reason for this uneven tire wear is that the wheels are not engaging with the road surface as fully as they should. Not only can this indicate the need for replacement shocks but also your tires will need to be replaced sooner than normal due to the uneven wear pattern.

A good indication of potential shock problems is cupping in the tire treads. These are small divots and if you start to notice these you may have to get some work done very soon.

Uncomfortable Ride

We have already mentioned this but it bears repeating one of the biggest signs your shocks are in need of replacement. On a windy day you may find a strong side wind may cause you difficulty correcting the car if the shocks are not working to their full capacity.

You may hear rattling noises and experience movements such as rocking and shaking if your shocks are starting to fail. Obviously if you are on a rough road in general you might experience these things but on a smooth flat road surface you should not be getting this kind of audible and physical feedback.

The job of your shocks is to lower the impact of bumps in the road. This means that when they are not working correctly the suspension will bounce and the ride becomes uncomfortable. If the bumps become severe enough you may even have trouble controlling the vehicle.

Another notable symptom is dipping or swerving when you apply the brakes as well as potentially longer braking distances. Essentially, if your shocks are going out on you, you are on a path to a vehicle that does not stop as quickly and may be hard to control overall.

Vibrations

We have talked about feeling the bumps in the road more acutely but you may just note vibrations in the steering wheel as well. On a rough surface these kinds of vibrations are fairly normal but if the road is smooth and flat you shouldn’t really get these vibrations.

If these vibrations get worse as you start to drive faster such as on the highway then you could have a problem with your shocks. You should not ignore this possibility and get yourself checked into a mechanic as soon as possible.

Can You Drive With Bad Shocks?

In theory yes you can drive with shocks that are not working well but the ride will be rough and it can be harder to control your vehicle. This is a case however of just because you can doesn't mean you should.

The worse your shocks get the harder you will find the car's handling and you may see problems with brake performance. You should additionally consider that the longer you drive with bad shocks the more potential you have for other damage.

Laying out the money for new shocks right now may seem a nightmare scenario but waiting it out for a few weeks may leave you with an even bigger repair bill on your hands. A repair that may have taken a few hours could take days if you don’t jump on the issue quickly.

How Much Does A Shock Replacement Cost?

Generally speaking shocks are replaced in pairs with either the front or back axle being done at any one time. So if your left front shock goes you would have both the left and right front shocks replaced.

In terms of parts a pair of shocks will cost roughly $100 - $350 in parts alone. The front shocks are usually a little more expensive than the rear ones. Once you factor in labor costs you could be looking at $200 - $750 to have a mechanic change a pair of shocks on your vehicle.

The reason front shocks cost more is that this replacement requires more tools and generally takes longer than the rear shocks to complete. There are other factors however that can affect the price you would pay to replace shocks and we will go into in the next section.

What Affects the Cost of Replacing Shocks?

Make & Model of Your Vehicle

You will notice this with all aspects of vehicle repairs, some cars just cost more to fix than others. Shocks for a small car for example will be much cheaper than those for a heavy duty truck or large SUV.

High performance vehicles or rare cars may also need specialized shocks which can cost you more money. The prices may not be vastly different but it can make a difference.

Brand of the Parts

In our commercial world we like to hunt for bargains and you can do this with car parts as well. Budget options exist for almost all types of car which will save you money in the short term. It will not usually change the labor costs but it will be cheaper.

You should understand however that if you choose a budget brand over a trusted big brand you get what you pay for. The part may not be as good and it certainly will wear out much faster than a quality more expensive part.

DIY or Professional

If you have a tricked out home garage with the facilities to lift your vehicle and the right tools you may be able to perform the work on your shocks yourself. This obviously saves you money on labor and the cost should just be for parts.

Saving that money is great but you must be sure that you have the skills to make this repair or you could make matters worse or simply do a poor job resulting in shocks that do not last as long. A mechanic will cost you more but if they are reputable then they will likely do a great job and you have the peace of mind that the part should be fitted correctly.

Extra Repairs

As we mentioned if you do not catch a shock issue early you can end up with other things getting broken. Bad shocks can ruin your tires, struts and other aspects of the suspension. A set of new tires isn’t cheap and nor are other suspension repairs.

What Is the Average Lifespan of Shocks?

As with all things automotive the lifespan of a part can depend greatly on how the vehicle is driven. A heavy duty truck for instance used for towing and traversing rough roads may go through its shocks quicker than the same vehicle being driven on normal roads and never carrying a significant load.

In general though a quality set of shocks should last between 50,000 – 100,000 miles. They may last longer if they are taken care of and gently used. If you start to see signs of shock issues however just make sure you get them checked out.

Conclusion

When your car's shock absorbers start to wear out it is vital you look into having them replaced. They will gradually get worse the more you use them and driving can quickly become not only uncomfortable but also potentially dangerous.

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