HOW MUCH DO SHOCKS COST?

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.

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:

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.