As part of your vehicle’s suspension system, shocks and struts help provide a smooth and safe ride. Their primary purposes are absorbing bumps and maintaining contact between your vehicle’s tires and the road. With all those bumps, dips, and other types of impact shock, they will eventually need replacement. From this short guide, you’ll learn when to replace your shocks and struts plus how to find models that best meet your needs.
Longer Stopping Distances
If you know anything about auto maintenance, you have an idea of what to look for when your shocks and struts wear out. Some typical telltale symptoms indicate that they need to be replaced:
- Excessive bouncing and instability
- Front-end dipping while braking
- Rear-end squatting during acceleration
- Vehicle leaning to one side
- Uneven tire wear
Besides these symptoms, another obvious sign of bad shocks and struts is a longer stopping distance. Why is this a thing? Well, worn shocks give your tires more bounce to the ounce — and that’s not a good thing. In fact, it reduces the amount of tire-ground contact and makes your brakes work harder. Bad shocks can increase your stopping distance by up to 20%. When you’re driving on slippery roads or have to brake suddenly to avoid a deer, that 20% can make a huge difference. You’re either going on your merry way after a sudden stop or you have to call a tow truck.
Cost & Replacement Process
Replacing your shocks and struts can be a challenging task. However, you can do it yourself with the right tools and a bit of know-how. You’ll first need to jack up your vehicle and place it on jack stands, then remove the old shocks and struts. Depending on the vehicle, you may need a spring compressor to uninstall the shock assembly. After installing your new parts, you need to tighten all connections and lower the vehicle. The final step is taking it for a test drive to ensure everything performs as expected.
In very rare cases, you may need to disconnect the knuckle at the top of the brake assembly, including the brake caliper, to completely access the shock assembly. However, this isn’t a common requirement for replacing shocks and struts on most vehicles. Make sure you review your owner’s manual for specific instructions for replacing these components.
Shocks and struts can vary in price. Full strut assemblies typically cost between $75 and $200. Individual shocks start at around $20 and range up to $100, but some specialty versions like Fox Off-Road shocks cost $200 or more. Ultimately, how much you spend depends on your vehicle’s configuration, your performance needs, and your budget.
Where To Buy Your Shocks and Struts
When it’s time to replace your shocks and struts, your best bet is to purchase them from a reputable aftermarket auto parts retailer. Of course, this holds true for any parts and supplies you need, including motor oil, oil filters, brake pads, or anything else your vehicle needs. Choose a retailer with an extensive selection, knowledgeable experts, and flexible options for delivery and in-store pickup.
