A smooth ride starts with a healthy suspension system. Your vehicle relies on crucial suspension elements — shocks and struts — to prevent bouncing and dipping as you drive. If you notice your ride is feeling more rodeo than road trip lately, it may be time to replace your shocks and struts.
Shocks and struts are both part of your car’s suspension system and can both be referred to as shock absorbers. When your car goes over a bump, the suspension’s springs compress, absorbing the bulk of the shock. Shock absorbers dampen the energy from the springs, allowing your car to return to its normal position smoothly and quickly.
Shocks and struts dissipate the energy the springs absorb, ensuring that your car doesn’t bounce continually after hitting a bump. They also help to ensure you have full control of your vehicle.
Even though they perform a similar function, they are not interchangeable. Every car’s suspension system has either a shock or a strut at every wheel, and while you might have both struts and shocks on your car (struts on the front, shocks on the rear), you won’t have both at the same axle.
Struts. You’ll most often mind struts on front-wheel-drive vehicles. Contained in the rigid strut housing, you’ll find a damping unit, coils spring and shock absorber. According to the Universal Technical Institute (UTI), “Struts help dampen the movements of coil springs, which are used to support the weight of a vehicle and keep it handling properly over bumps, hills and other imperfections in the road.”
Shocks. Shocks are oil-filled cylinders that dampen the movement of the springs in the car’s suspension. They help keep your car’s tires in contact with the road and aid in stability. Inside the shock absorber housing, there is a piston with a series of orifices and hydraulic fluid and steel discs that control the fluid flow rate.
According to UTI, “When the car’s suspension is moving, hydraulic fluid is forced through the holes in the piston. Only a small amount is let through, which slows the piston, affecting the movement of the springs and suspension.”
When shocks are working properly, you’ll notice less bouncing and swaying while you drive.
With proper maintenance and careful driving, shocks and struts should last 50,000 miles or more — between four and five years on average. But there are factors that can increase wear to your shocks and struts and shorten their lifespan.
When your shocks or struts start to go bad, one of the first things you’ll notice is that it is harder to control your vehicle. While it may be subtle at first, there are some telltale signs it’s time to bring your car in for an inspection and likely a shock or strut replacement.
Shocks and struts come in a variety of styles. The ones you choose depend on your vehicle’s needs and your driving style. These are among the most common types:
Twin-tube (standard). These are ideal for most everyday driving situations. They offer reliable absorption and a smooth ride in standard road conditions.
Gas-charged. Good for enhanced stability and handling, these shocks contain nitrogen gas for a smoother ride.
Monotube. This type of shock absorber is commonly found in race cars. They’re best for performance vehicles because they deliver quick response and a stiffer ride, giving the driver more control.
Adjustable. Adjustable shocks let drivers fine-tune their vehicle’s suspension to find the right balance between comfort and handling amid different road conditions. The average driver won’t need this level of customization, but they’re a good fit for gearheads who like total control over their ride.
Talk to your technician about what type of shocks and struts they recommend based on your vehicle and how you plan to use them.
Shocks and struts should be part of your regular maintenance schedule. Your mechanic will check them with every tire rotation or when you report a noticeable issue like those outlined above. If you drive on rough terrain or carry heavy loads, have them checked more frequently.
The cost to replace shocks and struts will depend on your vehicle and the replacement type you choose. While there are special circumstances where your mechanic will recommend replacing just one shock or strut, they’re almost always replaced in pairs.
For standard shocks, materials cost can range from $80 to more than $200 per pair. Struts cost more — anywhere between $300 and $760. Labor ranges from $100 to $300, depending on how complex the replacement is. For strut replacement, you should also factor in the cost of an alignment.
Worn shocks and struts reduce your car’s handling and braking efficiency, posing a safety risk. Ignoring any noticeable problems with your shocks and struts can also cause additional wear on other components, driving up repair costs down the road.
If you’ve spotted any signs of failing shocks and struts, or if it’s time to come in for your regular maintenance visit, make an appointment at your nearest Rainbow Muffler and Brake location right away.