Modern vehicles either have stand-alone individual shocks attached to the suspension and frame, or shock-absorber units/cartridges that are part of a strut[1] . Some cars have struts in the front and individual shocks in the rear. Shock absorbers and struts dampen vibrations, keeping the tires on the road by stopping the suspension springs from bouncing up and down continuously.

Typical costs:

Shock absorbers or struts can cost $25-$350 or more each, depending on the make and model of vehicle and the quality of the part. Although it could cost as much as $1,400 for a set of four, most do-it-yourselfers spend an average of $150-$250 to replace four shocks/struts. For example, AutoZone[2] charges $99-$114 for a front shock absorber for a 4-cylinder 2008 Honda Accord EX; and AutoPartsWarehouse.com[3] charges $30 for a front shock absorber and strut assembly for a 1998-2004 Nissan Frontier and $352 for a twin-tube front shock absorber and strut assembly for a 2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade. CostHelper readers report spending $150-$300 for do-it-yourself installation of four shock absorbers or struts, at an average cost of $210.
Replacement of four shock absorbers or struts by a professional mechanic takes an average of two to five hours at $50-$120 an hour. The total cost for professional replacement of four shocks/struts is typically $200-$1,500, depending on the make and model of vehicle, but it can be $2,000-$5,000 or more for luxury vehicles, those with difficult access or those with heavy rust (which makes removal of the old parts more time-consuming). CostHelper readers report paying $250-$850 to have a repair shop replace four shocks, at an average cost of $561; or $700-$1,100 for four struts, at an average cost of $849. CostHelper readers who purchased the required parts and hired a local mechanic to replace four shocks or struts report total costs of $403-$1,000, for an average of $735.

What should be included:

Shock absorbers or struts may need replacing if a vehicle has been driven more than 75,000 miles or if its ride and handling have deteriorated -- some shocks can wear out after 25,000-35,000 miles. It's considered best to replace shocks or struts in pairs (left and right), and sometimes both the front and back sets will be worn out or nearly worn out, and need replacing simultaneously.
The main factors that will determine how difficult it will be to replace shock absorbers are access and rust--the longer the shocks have been on the vehicle, the more difficult it can be to remove the old nuts and bolts holding them in place. Mobil Oil provides a quick overview of shocks and struts[4] , and estimates that it will take about 60 minutes and rates the difficulty as moderate. Expert Village provides a video demonstration of how to replace shock absorbers[5] .
Replacing struts is usually a more involved process than replacing individual shock absorbers and generally requires a special tool known as a spring compressor (for rent at some auto parts stores for a refundable $40-$50 deposit). AutoMD.com provides general instructions for replacing a strut assembly[6] .

Additional costs:

Some vehicles require a wheel alignment after the shock absorbers or struts are replaced, at a typical cost of $20-$400. The vehicle's manual will include a recommended service schedule indicating whether a wheel alignment is needed.

Discounts:

Some repair shops offer discounts for AAA members[7] .

Shopping for car shock absorbers:

Shock or strut replacement is available from local repair shops, dealerships or nationwide automotive shops like Big O Tires[8] , Meineke[9] , Midas[10] or Sears[11] . Search for local repair shops through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence[12] or the International Automotive Technicians Network[13] .
Consumer Reports lists tips for finding a good mechanic[14] .

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Car repair

Amount: $1,600.00

Posted by: Jeannette Belzer in Gurnee, IL.	Posted: August 31st, 2020 09:08AM
Make: GMC	Model: Yukon xl

How much to put on suspension on a 2004 GMC yukon xl

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