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CostHelper > Cars  > Car Suspension

Car Suspension Cost


How Much Does a Car Suspension Cost?

 
average costBall Joints: $350-$2,200+high costSuspension System: $1,000-$5,000+

A suspension system consists of springs, shock absorbers/struts and linkages (such as ball joints) which connect a vehicle to its wheels. The suspension keeps the wheels in proper contact/friction with the ground despite bumps or other road irregularities, creating a smooth ride.

Typical costs:

  • Replacing a suspension system can cost $1,000-$5,000 or more, depending on the type of system and the make, model and year of the vehicle (luxury vehicles typically cost more than standard automobiles). Costs also depend on the amount of wear and rust underneath the vehicle (which can make it more difficult and time-consuming to remove the old parts).
  • Replacing just the four shock absorbers or struts that are part of the suspension system can cost $200-$1,500 for an average vehicle or $2,000-$5,000 for luxury vehicles or those with difficult access or heavy rust; do-it-yourself costs for replacement of shocks/struts averages $150-$250.
  • Replacing just the four ball joints can cost $350-$2,200 or more, depending on the make, model and year of the vehicle, and the difficulty of access; do-it-yourself replacement typically costs $125-$400 or more.
Related articles: Car Shock Absorbers, Ball Joint Replacement, Replacing a CV Boot, Tires, Wheel Alignment

What should be included:
  • The suspension system is part of the chassis, which contains all the important systems located underneath the body of a vehicle. The three main components of a suspension system are springs, dampers/shock absorbers and anti-sway bars. The exact configuration depends on the make, model and year of the vehicle. CarBibles.com provides a detailed overview[1] of various types of suspensions -- front, rear, dependent, independent, etc.
  • Generally both sides (left and right) of a suspension system should be replaced at the same time, and depending on the wear and tear, often the front and rear systems should be done together, to avoid having new parts add to the stress of old, worn parts. Sometimes individual parts, such as the shock absorbers or ball joints, may wear out and need replacing separately.
Additional costs:
  • Some vehicles require a wheel alignment after the suspension is replaced, at a possible cost of $20-$400. The vehicle's manual will include a recommended service schedule indicating whether a wheel alignment is needed.
Shopping for a car suspension:
  • Parts for suspension system are available through retailers like Autozone[2] , O'Reilly Auto Parts or JC Whitney[3] .
  • Suspension replacement is available from local repair shops, car dealerships or nationwide automotive shops like Big O Tires[4] , Meineke[5] , Midas[6] or Sears[7] . Search for local repair shops through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence[8] or the International Automotive Technicians Network[9] .
  • Consumer Reports lists tips for finding a good mechanic[10] .
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
DIY Front End
Amount: $965.00
Posted by: Mr. Gillis in Canton, IL.Posted: August 28th, 2020 07:08PM
Car Make: KiaCar Model: Sorento
Shop: DIY
Front: 2xCV axel, 2xball joints, 2x Sway bar end links,sway bar bushings, 2xrotors, 2x brake pads. $500
Rear: brake pads. $35
New Tools (yay!):
3 ton floor jack, 20v impact wrench, 2x Jack stands, tube lock-tite, can of pb blaster. $430.
$965.00 and about 12hrs of sweating and busting my knuckles.
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Labor Cost
Amount: $560.00
Posted by: Mark Foster in Oak Park, MI.Posted: December 17th, 2019 03:12PM
Car Make: Chevy 2011Car Model: Malibu
My cousin is completing for all around brake job and rotors as well as a full front end kit and back shocks and caliper brackets, what would be a reasonable number to give him for labor?
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Full shocks and brake pads
Amount: $1,100.00
Posted by: Eli eli in Houston, TX.Posted: November 25th, 2019 01:11PM
Car Make: ScionCar Model: iM
I spent 630 on racing springs and found someone who charged 120 per wheel, which included replacing brake pads/rotors and painting calipers
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Sway bar & links
Amount: $311.00
Posted by: Zsanys in Silver Spring, MD.Posted: April 26th, 2019 01:04PM
Car Make: HondaCar Model: CRV
Shop: Hoffmaster’s
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My car swerves on its own
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Adrianna A in San Antonio, TX.Posted: December 21st, 2018 12:12AM
Car Make: 2006 toyotaCar Model: Corolla
Shop: NA
My car swereves on its own. And i know jack about cars. I dont know i need the whole suspension system or just parts of it.. Can some one help?
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Full front end suspension DIY
Amount: $1,000.00
Posted by: Ryan Foss in maplewood, MN.Posted: February 4th, 2018 12:02PM
Shop: DIY
Volvo 2003 s40. Replaced every front end part except CV joint. Parts cost $600 but I gave in and bought a $250 Milwaukee drill to help me compress the springs. Lots of work and was out of a car for two weeks but saved some money.
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Suspension
Amount: $1,000.00
Posted by: MIB in Santa Ana, CA.Posted: March 9th, 2017 07:03PM
Am to replace the two back suspension on my 2009 Ford Focus he said it will cost $1,000 which includes parts, labor and wheel alignment is that too much?
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suspension repairs
Amount: $1,000.00
Posted by: Led Head in Bellflower, CA.Posted: October 14th, 2016 01:10PM
Shop: JW Motorsports
Struts@tires all 4,1 lower control arm and axle and sway bar. The struts and tires were $650,the other was unforseen problems
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Full suspension front and rear
Amount: $1,800.00
Posted by: David in Japan in OSAKA, Other.Posted: January 4th, 2015 06:01AM
Shop: Honda Japan
All new components complete overhaul. Seemed high till I saw this sight. Plus you get coffee n snacks while you wait. Lol.
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Springs an sway bar
Amount: $498.00
Posted by: Liamne in Somewhere, NJ.Posted: November 25th, 2014 09:11PM
Shop: Ford dealer
Rear springs were shot an sweat bar was rusted off! They say this is a deal Idk ? Any comments
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front and rear struts (complete assembly), rear stabilizer bar links
Amount: $390.00
Posted by: Venzer in Boston, MA.Posted: June 28th, 2014 11:06PM
Shop: DIY
Replaced all 4 strut assemblies on 2002 Toyota Avalon. Complete assemblies include strut, spring, insulator, boot, and strut mount. Had a friend help me out in the drive way. There was a lot of rusted parts so each end took about one hour. Never would have been able to do it without cordless impact wrench. The rear struts cost $110 each since they were Monroe (high quality, better than oem). The pair of front struts cost $120 ($60 ea.). Purchased all of Amazon. Probably saved around $800
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Suspension front and rear
Amount: $1,066.00
Posted by: Grandpa Bill in Warwick, NY.Posted: April 18th, 2013 04:04PM
Car Make: BMW 2001Car Model: CI
Shop: Village Tire
Grandson bought the car in a hurry. It definitely needed struts and rear shocks, which we purchased on line as a kit with all hardware. When the job began we now needed front lower control arms which contain the ball joint.All items were purchased on line and our mechanic installed them. We estimated we saved at least $500. or probably more. Shop around, the prices vary quite a bit.
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Front end suspension
Amount: $1,299.00
Posted by: Ellesee in Georgetown, Other.Posted: October 3rd, 2012 09:10AM
Car Make: ChryslerCar Model: Intrepid
Shop: Arno\'s Auto
Front end suspension included:rnnew struts right/leftrnnew tie rods right/left/inner/outerrnalignmentrnplus other repairs not associated with front end suspension.
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Variable Rate Coil Springs (Rear)
Amount: $73.98
Posted by: js3 in Artesia, CA.Posted: January 6th, 2012 01:01PM
Car Make: FordCar Model: Crown Victoria
Shop: DIY
I was reading of the variable rate coil springs which let a car ride normal when empty and firm when loaded down. The car is 19 years old so I thought I'd go ahead and change them. I have Haynes Service Manuals for all three cars I own and I've yet to find a repair that the manuals have been accurate on, but someday I might. :) The manual was totally useless for this work (again). It took about two hours to change the springs because of the extra stuff I had to remove for clearance. So far the springs work well.
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upgrade suspension
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Katy in Sunnyvale, CA.Posted: July 2nd, 2011 01:07AM
Car Make: ToyotaCar Model: Camry
Shop: Cartex auto shop
The mechanic recommended $900+ for upgrade suspension and $69 for alignment. Total a little over $1000. But my car costs only around $4000(Toyota Camry, 2002). I am not sure if it is worth for suspension upgrade :-)
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double wishbone suspension/semi trailing arm suspension
Amount: $5,000.00
Posted by: Adarsh Ranjan in Ranchi, ID.Posted: May 6th, 2011 07:05AM
Which is cheaper to manufacture or buy a double wishbone suspension or a semi trailing arm suspension?
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level control compression
Amount: $830.00
Posted by: chameri in mpls, MN.Posted: December 23rd, 2010 05:12PM
Car Make: 2002Car Model: oldsmobile
Shop: dependable auto services
back of car drop down on back wheels
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Transmission repair
Amount: $2,681.00
Posted by: Mr Mike in Toledo, OH.Posted: April 28th, 2010 12:04PM
Car Make: FordCar Model: Ranger XLT
Shop: Weber Transmission
Trans needed to be rebuild, that cost $1820.00
repairs ran into buying a new clutch and cross member and other stuff under the hood, I think it was that slave cylinder or something like that, plus the labor.
so all an all, the cost is going to be $2681.00 out the door.
I pretty much expected it to be that much.
I'm a mechanic my self, but never worked on transmission before.
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new strut and "strut mount"
Amount: $446.00
Posted by: william s. in dewitt, NY.Posted: December 19th, 2007 07:12AM
Car Make: toyotaCar Model: corolla dx
Shop: midas
I see that the price for the strut online is far less than what I was charged. And they charged me 157.00 for a "strut mount", but I find no listing for that part for this make and model! Is this a fictional part? They charged 85.00 for labor. Plus the assistant mechanic redlined the engine when he started the car to bring into the shop! All of us waiting could hear it.
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External Resources:
  1.  www.carbibles.com/suspension_bible.html
  2.  www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Suspension-and-Steering/_/N-8r2lb
  3.  www.jcwhitney.com/suspension-and-chassis/c11298j1s17.jcwx
  4.  www.bigotires.com/services-category/suspension-and-front-end
  5.  www.meineke.com/services/steering.aspx
  6.  www.midas.com/Services/SteeringSuspension/tabid/141/Default.aspx
  7.  www.sears.com/automotive-chassis-shocks-suspension-shocks/s-1206807530
  8.  www.ase.com/Landing-Pages/Car-Owners/Find-a-Repair-Shop/Shop-Locator.aspx
  9.  autorepair.iatn.net/
  10.  www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/12/how-to-find-a-great-car-mechanic/index.htm
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