Cost of a Car Suspension - Car Repair and Maintenance

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.

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.

Related Costs: Car Shock Absorbers, Ball Joint Replacement, Replacing a CV Boot, Tires, Wheel Alignment

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] .

What People Are Paying - Recent Comments DIY Front End
Amount: $965.00
Posted by: Mr. Gillis
From: Canton, IL
Posted On: August 28th, 2020 07:08PM
Car Make: Kia
Car 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.

Labor Cost
Amount: $560.00
Posted by: Mark Foster
From: Oak Park, MI
Posted On: December 17th, 2019 03:12PM
Car Make: Chevy 2011
Car 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?

Full shocks and brake pads
Amount: $1,100.00
Posted by: Eli eli
From: Houston, TX
Posted On: November 25th, 2019 01:11PM
Car Make: Scion
Car 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

Sway bar & links
Amount: $311.00
Posted by: Zsanys
From: Silver Spring, MD
Posted On: April 26th, 2019 01:04PM
Car Make: Honda
Car Model: CRV
Shop: Hoffmaster’s

My car swerves on its own
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Adrianna A
From: San Antonio, TX
Posted On: December 21st, 2018 12:12AM
Car Make: 2006 toyota
Car 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?

Full front end suspension DIY
Amount: $1,000.00
Posted by: Ryan Foss
From: maplewood, MN
Posted On: 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.

Suspension
Amount: $1,000.00
Posted by: MIB
From: Santa Ana, CA
Posted On: 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?

suspension repairs
Amount: $1,000.00
Posted by: Led Head
From: Bellflower, CA
Posted On: 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

Full suspension front and rear
Amount: $1,800.00
Posted by: David in Japan
From: OSAKA, Other
Posted On: 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.

Springs an sway bar
Amount: $498.00
Posted by: Liamne
From: Somewhere, NJ
Posted On: 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

front and rear struts (complete assembly), rear stabilizer bar links
Amount: $390.00
Posted by: Venzer
From: Boston, MA
Posted On: 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

Suspension front and rear
Amount: $1,066.00
Posted by: Grandpa Bill
From: Warwick, NY
Posted On: April 18th, 2013 04:04PM
Car Make: BMW 2001
Car 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.

Front end suspension
Amount: $1,299.00
Posted by: Ellesee
From: Georgetown, Other
Posted On: October 3rd, 2012 09:10AM
Car Make: Chrysler
Car 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.

Variable Rate Coil Springs (Rear)
Amount: $73.98
Posted by: js3
From: Artesia, CA
Posted On: January 6th, 2012 01:01PM
Car Make: Ford
Car 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.

upgrade suspension
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Katy
From: Sunnyvale, CA
Posted On: July 2nd, 2011 01:07AM
Car Make: Toyota
Car 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 :-)

double wishbone suspension/semi trailing arm suspension
Amount: $5,000.00
Posted by: Adarsh Ranjan
From: Ranchi, ID
Posted On: May 6th, 2011 07:05AM

Which is cheaper to manufacture or buy a double wishbone suspension or a semi trailing arm suspension?

level control compression
Amount: $830.00
Posted by: chameri
From: mpls, MN
Posted On: December 23rd, 2010 05:12PM
Car Make: 2002
Car Model: oldsmobile
Shop: dependable auto services

back of car drop down on back wheels

Transmission repair
Amount: $2,681.00
Posted by: Mr Mike
From: Toledo, OH
Posted On: April 28th, 2010 12:04PM
Car Make: Ford
Car 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.

new strut and "strut mount"
Amount: $446.00
Posted by: william s.
From: dewitt, NY
Posted On: December 19th, 2007 07:12AM
Car Make: toyota
Car 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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Car Suspension Cost

How Much Does a Car Suspension Cost?

	Ball Joints: $350-$2,200+
	Suspension System: $1,000-$5,000+