Suspension Replacement Cost Varies Between $240 to $3,600 Depending on The Extent of the Job and If You Go to a Mechanic or DIY.
This price range is based on national averages for all vehicles and does not factor in taxes, fees, or your particular make and model. Related repairs or maintenance may also be needed such as checking the power steering fluid or replacing serpentine belts, fixing worn or unaligned tires or unbalanced wheels, and steering wheel alignment. For a more accurate estimate based on your make, model, and location, use the RepairPal Fair Price Estimator.
Get a more accurate estimate for your Suspension Replacement Labor Cost using RepairPal’s Fair Price Estimator:
Cost at the Mechanic: $240-$3,600+
Parts: $88-$1,045
Labor: $152-$2,928
This service may include the shock absorbers, struts, coil springs, ball joints, sway bar links, and more. Replacing everything could take six hours or longer while replacing just a set of shocks on one axle might take one hour. Your suspension protects your car against vibrations and stabilizes your driving, so getting any outstanding problems fixed is important for the whole system’s health. Looking at just shocks, those are usually replaced between 50,000 and 100,000 miles.
Cost to DIY: $88-$1,045
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Parts Needed:
- Ratchet set
- Pry bar
- Car jacks and jack stands
- All replacement suspension parts
DIY suspension replacement cost will depend on what you are attempting to replace, but generally speaking, most suspension components are beginner to intermediate level repairs. Keep in mind: there are many different types of suspensions and suspension parts, so double-check your repair manual to verify what you need. You’ll need to lift your vehicle and probably take off your wheels to work, but this moderately easy DIY task can save you hundreds of dollars.
What Is Suspension Replacement?
Your car’s suspension is essential for safe and proper driving as it smooths out your vehicle’s contact the road to minimize shaking, bouncing, or pulling to one side. If parts of a suspension, like the shocks or coil springs, have gotten too old and worn, they are not able to do their job effectively. Swapping some of these parts out for new replacements is called a suspension replacement.
What Does Suspension Replacement Include?
When getting a suspension replacement at a repair shop, they will lift the car, swap out old parts, and reinstall new ones. If driving with a faulty suspension has caused tire wear, the mechanic might also do tire replacements for you. The same is true of steering system replacements or repairs. After the replacement of some suspension parts, a wheel alignment might be necessary.
The process could take anywhere from 30 minutes to six hours or more, depending on what’s being swapped out. For long jobs, the repair shop may suggest dropping your vehicle off and waiting until it’s ready before you come back, test it out, and drive away.
What Happens if You Don’t Replace Suspension Parts?
Your car’s suspension components should generally be changed in pairs and at reasonable mileage windows. When you drive with one bad coil spring or shock for years, it compromises the driving quality and lifespan of other suspension parts as well as the tires.
Neglected car suspensions start out uncomfortable and eventually become a safety issue. The reduced control and weakened tires could compromise your ability to turn or brake to avoid an accident.
How Often To Get Suspension Replacement
It depends on how much you drive and the kinds of burdens the suspension deals with, but you can typically replace shocks and struts between 50,000 and 100,000 miles. Ball joints can be changed between 70,000 and 150,000 miles. Coil springs will vary depending on your vehicle, which is why it’s best to always check your owner’s manual for the correct replacement windows.
You wouldn’t normally replace parts like control arms and tie rod ends till around 100,000 miles. That said, if your car was driving with old or bad suspension parts for a long time, it could lead to replacing control arms and tie rod ends earlier.
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Common Symptoms That You Need Replace Suspension Parts
- Excessive bouncing or bumping while driving
- Excessive dipping when you accelerate or stop
- Difficulty steering on rougher roads
- Compromised fuel economy
- Steering wheel pulling to one side
- Grease or fluid on your shocks
- Vehicle sitting at an uneven angle
In particular, a car bouncing and bumping too much is a sign of worn down struts or shocks. A car that pulls left or right when you leave the steering wheel straight could indicate that it’s time to align your wheels or rotate your tires, but it might also mean your suspension is due for a check-up.
Related Maintenance Services
The following services are commonly performed with suspension replacement:
- Coil springs replacement
- Shock absorbers replacement
- Struts replacement
- Ball joints replacement
- Inner and outer tie rod ends replacement
- Sway bar end links replacement
- Control arms replacement
All of these tasks take a fair amount of time before they’re needed, some beyond 100,000 miles, but they should be inspected regularly during routine maintenance and tire replacement.
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