Struts are an often-ignored piece of vehicle maintenance, but one that can be easily appreciated upon completion. It’s easy to get used to a bouncier ride or a faint noise, but replacing worn-out struts can make your vehicle feel years newer. It's important to pay attention to your vehicle to know when it’s time to repair your shocks or struts. Most vehicles won’t give any direct notification, like a check engine light for suspension work. You may notice a clunking or knocking noise from under the vehicle, especially over bumps or rougher roads. Another cause of strut failure is impact damage from hitting an obstacle or bump at high speed, or leaking oil. If you ignore these signs, your vehicle may ride worse, your tires could wear unevenly or at a faster rate, and your vehicle simply will not be as safe. Worn out struts will feel loose and will cause your steering responses to be less timely, and more risky. The vehicle may also start to tilt to one side when you round a turn or downward when braking, increasing stopping distance. While it differs based on how you use your vehicle, most manufacturers recommend replacing your struts every 75-100,000 miles.
Struts Labor and Part Costs
The full cost of replacing struts depends on your vehicle and the suspension type it has. Most vehicles use standard gas struts, but some luxury vehicles may use air struts instead which can be considerably more expensive. Unless one strut was damaged prematurely from an impact of some sort, it’s strongly advised to replace struts in pairs, or even better, as a complete set. It’s also a good idea to consider replacing your control arms along with the struts; the bushings and ball joints can wear out on those as well, and it’s easier to replace them while the suspension is already partially disassembled. In the table below we’ve included the msrp (list price) of 5 of our best selling struts as well as our price for that same part.
Vehicle | Dealership Repair Cost | DIY With BAP | ||||||
Year, Make & Model | List Price | Labor Cost ($130/HR) | Total Cost | Our Price | Savings | |||
Vehicle | OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) Number | List Price | Our Price | Labor Time (hrs) | Independent Shops Estimate National Avg Labor Cost ($100/HR) | Dealerships Estimate National Avg Labor Cost ($130/HR) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2004 Toyota Avalon | 19121626 | $404.25 | 4.7 | $267.00 | $611.00 (4.7 hrs) | $1015.25 | $267.00 | $748.25 |
2001 Honda Civic | 22683260 | $404.25 | 2.9 | $232.00 | $377.00 (2.9 hrs) | $781.25 | $232.00 | $549.25 |
2007 Toyota Camry | 702550270 | $441.00 | 4.9 | $261.80 | $637.00(1.5 hrs) | $1078.00 | $261.80 | $816.20 |
2002 Chrysler Sebring | 17040EA000 | $786.45 | 4.2 | $518.00 | $546.00(4.2 hrs) | $1332.45 | $518.00 | $814.45 |
2004 Lexus GX470 | 2L1Z9H307BG | $316.05 | 1.5 | $197.00 | $195.00(1.5 hrs) | $511.05 | $197.00 | $314.05 |
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How to Save Money on Struts?
One way to save money on strut replacement is with the complete strut assemblies offered by BuyAutoParts. Sometimes called a “quick strut”, this strut includes the coil spring and upper mount as one complete ready-to-bolt-in assembly. This means you do not have to swap over the spring and mount from your original strut, which can be dangerous if you don’t do it carefully. You can also complete this job with normal hand tools, rather than having to buy or rent a spring compressor. If you have a mechanic do the job, a strut that’s easier to install means lower labor costs as well. If BuyAutoParts does not have a complete strut assembly available for your vehicle, you can still swap over your original springs, since they aren’t typically a wear item.
Struts for most common vehicles start at around $50 per corner, or $90 for a complete strut assembly if one is available. You can also save money by purchasing struts in pairs or complete sets; as previously mentioned, this is also better for the long-term reliability and performance of your vehicle. You can also take this opportunity to upgrade your struts, either to lift a vehicle for better performance off-road or stiffen the suspension for better handling response and less body roll, if you have a performance vehicle. If your vehicle has air suspension, this figure can go up considerably. Labor expenses are different for each vehicle, but they are lower if you use complete strut assemblies that save time at installation. Struts are a consumable wear item, and they are designed to be relatively straightforward to replace. Same as the part cost, labor cost also goes down if you replace struts in pairs.
Find Your Struts
If you’re still unsure about what’s best for your vehicle, feel free to contact BuyAutoParts for knowledgeable assistance in getting the best suspension for your vehicle. We carry guaranteed exact fit struts, complete strut assemblies, coilovers and more from major brands like KYB, Sachs, Bilstein, Arnott, Monroe, Gabriel and Duralo. All our parts professionals are here and ready to help!
More Vehicle Specific Estimates & Costs
Some of our top-selling struts, their compatible vehicles and their approximate costs are listed below:
Compatible Vehicle | Contents | Price as of 05/2017 | Link |
---|---|---|---|
1996-2005 Toyota Avalon From 08/01/1996 to 12/2004 1997-2001 Toyota Camry 3.0L 1997-2001 Lexus ES300 | Front Set With Springs | $134.00 | Front Set With Springs(Part Number:75-80047 2C) |
Rear Set With Springs | $146.00 | Rear Set With Springs(Part Number:75-80142 2C) | |
Front and Rear Set With Springs | $267.00 | Front and Rear Set With Springs(Part Number:75-80167 4C) | |
2001-2002 Honda Civic 1.7L 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid 1.3L | Front Set With Springs | $142.00 | Front Set With Springs(Part Number:75-82235 2C) |
Rear Set With Springs | $100.00 | Rear Set With Springs(Part Number:75-80160 2C) | |
Front and Rear Set With Springs | $232.00 | Front and Rear Set With Springs(Part Number:75-82284 4C) | |
2007-2011 Toyota Camry Non-Hybrid 2006-2012 Toyota Avalon 2007-2009 Lexus ES350 | Front Set With Springs | $147.80 | Front Set With Springs(Part Number:75-80052 2C) |
Rear Set With Springs | $127.80 | Rear Set With Springs(Part Number:75-80053 2C) | |
Front and Rear Set With Springs | $261.80 | Front and Rear Set With Springs(Part Number:75-80054 4C) | |
2001-2006 Chrysler Sebring Convertible | Front Set With Springs | $217.00 | Front Set With Springs(Part Number:75-83439 2C) |
Rear Set With Springs | $327.00 | Rear Set With Springs(Part Number:75-83277 2C) | |
Front and Rear Set With Springs | $518.00 | Front and Rear Set With Springs(Part Number:75-83651 4C) | |
2003-2007 Lexus GX470 2003-2009 Toyota 4Runner | Rear Left Air Spring | $115.00 | Rear Left Air Spring (Part Number: 76-10065 AN) |
Rear Right Air Spring | $115.00 | Rear Right Air Spring (Part Number: 76-10066 AN) | |
Rear Set of Air Springs | $197.00 | Rear Set of Air Springs (Part Number: 76-80074 2N) |
If you are a DIYer, you will not incur any labor costs. If you choose a professional for the job, you will need to pay for both the part and labor. Here are the approximate strut installation costs specific to some automobiles.
VehicleApproximate Replacement Costs2004 Toyota Avalon$470.00 - $611.002001 Honda Civic$290.00 - $377.002007 Toyota Camry$490.00 - $637.00