How Much Does It Cost to Replace Struts on a Car?
Last Updated on December 3, 2022
If you’re having suspension issues, you may need to replace your struts.
Typically, it costs between $175 to $500 per strut, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. In other words, you can expect to pay $350 to $1,000 to replace your front and rear struts, including parts and labor.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the cost of replacing struts on your car.
Table of Contents:
- Average Strut Replacement Cost
- Why You Need Strut Replacement
- How Struts Work
- Signs You Need Strut Replacement
- Factors Impacting the Cost of Strut Replacement
- Does Insurance Cover Strut Replacement?
Strut Replacement Costs $175 to $500 Per Strut
Your vehicle has two struts. Typically, you replace both struts at the same time. On average, you’ll pay $175 to $500 per strut, or $350 to $1,000 per vehicle. This estimated price includes all parts and labor.
It can take several hours to replace a strut. You also need to pay for the physical struts themselves. To replace struts, the mechanic needs to lift the vehicle, remove the wheels, move the brake lines, remove the old struts, and replace them. Then, they need to put it all back together.
Most of your strut replacement goes towards the struts themselves. According to our calculations, the labor costs of replacing struts are $215 to $300, while the struts themselves cost $550 to $700.
Most vehicles require strut replacement every 50,000 to 100,000 miles.
You may pay higher rates based on regional factors, taxes, fees, or vehicle type, among other factors. Some vehicles may require additional repairs beyond strut replacement, and you may need to pay for suspension repairs or other repairs.
Why You Need Strut Replacement
Strut replacement is important. Struts, like other parts of your vehicle, degrade due to wear and tear. Over time, this can lead to performance issues, unusual noises, and safety concerns.
If a mechanic tells you to replace your struts, then you should replace your struts as soon as you can afford to do so.
If you ignore a worn strut, it can lead to a blown strut. Blown struts can lead to costly suspension damage and expensive future repairs.
Ignoring a worn strut also increases the risk of an accident: worn struts make it difficult to control the vehicle. If you need to make a sudden turn to avoid an accident, for example, then your struts could make it difficult.
It’s generally best to replace both struts at the same. Your front and rear struts should have similar wear. You’ll need to replace both struts eventually. By replacing both struts at once, you can save on future labor costs.
How Struts Work
Your car has an integrated steering and suspension system. The strut assembly is a crucial part of that system. It keeps your vehicle stable when driving over uneven roads, allowing you to stay comfortable inside the vehicle.
The strut assembly consists of a combination of two components:
- A shock absorber
- A coil spring
Together, these two components absorb bumps in the road. When your car hits a bump, the strut absorbs the shock by transferring energy to the coil spring, allowing your tires to remain in contact with the ground.
Most modern vehicles have integrated strut assemblies, where the shock absorber and coil spring are part of a single unit. However, some vehicles continue to use a single shock absorber instead of an integrated unit. In these vehicles, the shock absorber is mounted to the chassis and the lower control arm.
Signs You Need Strut Replacement
Struts wear out over time. It’s an inevitable part of owning a vehicle.
Typically, your shock absorber wears out first. When the shock absorber stops working as efficiently, your ride becomes bouncier. You may also notice difficulty turning. Eventually, you may notice unusual sounds when turning.
Some of the signs you need strut replacement include:
- Driving in your car feels bouncier or looser than before
- It’s harder to turn your vehicle into corners
- You notice oil leaking (only on certain types of struts or shock absorbers)
- Clunks, squeaks, or other unusual noises when going over bumps or cornering
- Clicking or growling noises
If you notice any of these symptoms, then it’s important to bring your car to a mechanic for strut replacement (or a general checkup).
Factors Impacting the Cost of Strut Replacement
Our research suggests you’ll pay $350 to $1,000 for front and rear strut replacement, or $175 to $500 per strut. However, several factors impact the real price of strut replacement.
Some of the things that could raise or lower your strut replacement cost include the following:
Local Cost of Living: If you live in an area with a high cost of living, you can expect to pay more for labor. Although labor is a relatively small part of strut replacement, this will increase your overall cost.
Make and Model of Vehicle: Some vehicles require unique struts or rare, difficult-to-source components, while others are cheap and easy to repair.
Type of Strut Assembly: Most vehicles have an integrated strut assembly, but some vehicles have a separate shock absorber. Your type of strut assembly could impact the cost of strut replacement.
Related Damage to Suspension and Other Components: If your strut damage has caused damage to other parts of your vehicle – like your suspension – you could pay more for additional repairs.
Local taxes, fees, shipping costs, and other factors can also impact the cost of strut replacement.
Does Insurance Cover Strut Replacement?
Car insurance does not cover strut replacement, nor does car insurance cover ordinary wear and tear on a vehicle.
Strut replacement is an expected cost of owning a vehicle. Over time, you need to replace your struts.
Insurance is designed to cover unexpected expenses. It covers accidents, collisions with animals, vehicle theft, water damage, fire damage, and other incidents, for example.
A standard insurance policy does not cover any vehicle maintenance – like strut replacement, oil changes, or tire changes. Instead, you need to pay these costs out of pocket.
Final Word – Strut Replacement Cost
Strut replacement is an ordinary and expected part of owning a vehicle.
Generally, you need to replace struts every 50,000 to 100,000 miles. According to our research, it costs $350 to $1,000 to replace front and rear struts on your vehicle, or $175 to $500 per strut. Most vehicle owners replace both struts at the same time.
Contact local repair shops in your area and ask about strut repairs or replacements.
