Shock absorbers are an often-ignored piece of vehicle maintenance, but one that can be easily appreciated upon completion. The shock absorber is a dampener which absorbs the vibrations cause by the vehicle and driving surface. It’s easy to get used to a bouncier ride or a faint noise, but replacing worn-out shocks can make your vehicle feel years newer. It's important to pay attention to your vehicle to know when it’s time to service 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 shocks going bad 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 shocks 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 dampers every 75-100,000 miles.
Shocks Labor and Part Costs
The full cost of replacing shocks depends on your vehicle and the suspension type it has. “Shocks” is also a kind of catch-all term, and most newer vehicles actually use MacPherson struts, at least on the front wheels. A strut includes the same damping element as a shock absorber, but also includes the spring and some steering mounting elements into one complete assembly. Struts are usually more expensive than shocks, both in terms of part cost and labor expenses when having a professional replace them. Shock absorbers are a simpler design than a strut assembly, and you do not always have to remove the spring to replace a shock absorber either, making installation easier. In the table below we’ve included the msrp (list price) of 5 of our best selling shocks 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) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2007 Chevrolet Tahoe | 19121626 | $345.45 | 0.7 | $201.92 | $91.00 (0.7 hrs) | $436.45 | $201.92 | $234.53 |
2004 Infiniti G35 | 22683260 | $95.55 | 1.7 | $25.87 | $221.00 (1.7 hrs) | $316.55 | $25.87 | $290.68 |
2005 Jaguar XJ8 | 702550270 | $801.15 | 1.5 | $469.48 | $195.00(1.5 hrs) | $996.15 | $469.48 | $526.67 |
2004 Cadillac Escalade | 17040EA000 | $148.00 | 0.6 | $100.68 | $78.00(0.6 hrs) | $226.00 | $100.68 | $125.32 |
2009 Nissan Altima | 2L1Z9H307BG | $110.25 | 0.6 | $27.87 | $78.00(0.6 hrs) | $188.25 | $27.87 | $160.38 |
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Most vehicles use standard gas shocks, but some luxury vehicles may use air shocks instead which can be considerably more expensive. Unless one was damaged prematurely from an impact of some sort, it’s strongly advised to replace shocks in pairs, or even better, as a complete set. It’s also a good idea to consider replacing your control arms along with the shocks; 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.
How to Save Money on Shocks?
Shocks for most common vehicles start at around $30-$50 per corner, or less if you buy them 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 install upgraded shocks, either taller ones to lift an off-road vehicle or stiffer ones to sharpen the handling and decrease body roll on a performance car. If your vehicle has air suspension, this figure can go up considerably. Labor expenses are different for each vehicle, but shocks 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 shocks in pairs.
Find Your Shocks
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 shocks, struts, 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 shocks, their compatible vehicles and their approximate costs are listed below:
Compatible Vehicle | Type of Shock Absorber | Price as of 05/2017 | Link | OEM Numbers |
---|---|---|---|---|
2000-2014 Chevrolet Tahoe with Z55 Autoride 2000-2014 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 with Z55 Autoride 2000-2013 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 with Z55 Autoride 2003-2014 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL 1500 with Z55 Autoride 2000-2014 Cadillac Escalade with Z55 Autoride | Arnott Industries New Rear Shock Absorber | $201.92 | Replacement Shock Absorber (Part Number: 75-00845 AI) | 15756926, 15852159, 15869656, 15869658, 15918525, 15924688, 15945872, 19300040, 19300045, 19300046, 19300069, 19300070, 19300071, 19300072, 19303893, 19331451, 22187152, 22187154, 22187156, 22187158, 22400885, 23487279, 23487282, 23487284, 25885467, 25885469, 25885470, 25979391, 25979393, 25979394, 580 457, 580-457, 88965338, 88965458 |
Arnott Industries Remanufactured Rear Shock Absorber | $174.20 | Replacement Shock Absorber (Part Number: 75-00845 RI) | ||
BAP New Rear Shock Absorber | $190.00 | Replacement Shock Absorber (Part Number: 75-00845 AN) | ||
2003-2006 Infiniti G35 Rear Wheel Drive without Sport Suspension | BAP New Rear Shock Absorber | $25.87 | Replacement Shock Absorber (Part Number: 75-00416 AN) | 56210-AM085, 56210-AM828, 56210-AM926, E6210-CM40C |
OEM New Rear Shock Absorber | $75.00 | Replacement Shock Absorber (Part Number: 75-00416 ON) | ||
2004-2009 Jaguar XJ8 with Comfort Suspension 2004-2009 Jaguar XJR with Comfort Suspension 2010 Jaguar XJ with Comfort Suspension 2004-2009 Jaguar Vanden Plas with Comfort Suspension 2005-2009 Jaguar Super V8 with Comfort Suspension | Arnott Industries New Rear Shock Absorber | $469.48 | Replacement Shock Absorber (Part Number: 75-01118 AI) | 44-069506, C2C 41340, C2C 41341, C2C 41343, C2C 41344, C2C 41346, C2C23698, C2C24410, C2C25694, C2C28407, C2C28531, C2C31014, C2C39765, C2C41340, C2C41341, C2C41343 |
BAP New Rear Shock Absorber | $445.00 | Replacement Shock Absorber (Part Number: 75-01118 AN) | ||
OEM New Rear Shock Absorber | $931.00 | Replacement Shock Absorber (Part Number: 75-01118 ON) | ||
2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade with Z55 Autoride 2003-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 with Z55 Autoride 2000-2006 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 with Z55 Autoride 2000-2006 Chevrolet Tahoe with Z55 Autoride 2000-2006 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL 1500 with Z55 Autoride | Arnott Industries New Value Series Passive Front Shock Absorber - Converts Auto Dampening to Passive | $100.68 | Replacement Shock Absorber (Part Number: 75-00081 PV) | 19300047, 22187159, 22400884, 88965339 |
BAP New Passive Front Shock Absorber - Converts Auto Dampening to Passive | $125.00 | Replacement Shock Absorber (Part Number: 75-00081 AN) | ||
Arnott Industries New Premium Series Passive Front Shock Absorber - Converts Auto Dampening to Passive | $495.66 | Replacement Shock Absorber (Part Number: 75-00081 PP) | ||
2007-2011 Nissan Altima | BAP New Rear Shock Absorber | $27.87 | Replacement Shock Absorber (Part Number: 75-00492 AN) | 313245 |
OEM New Rear Shock Absorber | $105.65 | Replacement Shock Absorber (Part Number: 75-00492 ON) |
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 shock installation costs specific to some automobiles.
Vehicle | Approximate Replacement Costs |
---|---|
2007 Chevrolet Tahoe | $70.00 - $91.00 |
2004 Infiniti G35 | $170.00 - $221.00 |
2005 Jaguar XJ8 | $150.00 - $195.00 |