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In most cases, it shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours to get back on the road again. If you’re interested in replacing shocks and struts on your vehicle, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re discussing the difference between the two and how to replace them so you can save some money.
How much does it cost in labor to replace struts?
An individual strut assembly costs approximately $150 to $350, while the labor cost is $100 to $300 for a pair. You can choose to only change the struts (instead of the strut assembly) to reduce the cost by about $40 to $80.
How long does it take to fix a car strut?
Time to do it really depends on your skills and stupid things like rusted bolts or ball joints which refuse to separate. If you feel you can get the job done in 4 hours, make sure you double it to be in the ballpark, but then figure it’s going to take you longer even still. It’s just the nature of working on cars.
How long does it take to replace struts in labor?
Struts that come as assemblies are much easier to replace since the spring is part of the assembly. A pair of strut assemblies can be replaced by the average DIY mechanic in under two hours.
Is it hard to replace struts?
Installing the new strut is the reverse of the removal, but it’s very tricky and sometimes impossible to get it into place and hold it there while you get the nuts started. So enlist the help of a friend for the actual installation. Once it’s in place, torque the strut mount nuts to spec.
Should you replace all 4 struts at once?
Shocks and struts should always be replaced in pairs (front axle or rear axle), and it’s even better to replace the shocks/struts on all four wheels at one time. This helps maintain reliable handling and a consistent response on both sides of the vehicle.
What happens if you only replace one strut?
Not only can new struts/shocks help prevent uneven tire wear, they also directly contribute to your brake stopping distance. If only one front strut/shock is replaced, the vehicle could potentially pull to one side under hard braking. It is good practice to replace suspension parts in pairs.
Is a strut and a shock the same thing?
However, shocks and struts are two distinct parts with different functions. While both can help with your vehicle’s ride and handling, these parts work in different ways. Shocks are individual components of the suspension system while struts are a major structural component of the chassis and suspension system.
What car repair takes the longest?
The powertrain if the transmission and/or the engine needs a rebuild it’s the most time consuming part.
What happens if you don’t replace struts?
Safety: Worn struts result in longer stopping times and/or distances as the vehicle weight can shift (sometimes unexpectedly) during braking. Wear on other parts: Driving with bad struts accelerates the wear on tires, as well as other components of the suspension system, such as the springs.
Do car’s have both shocks and struts?
First of all, it is important to note that not all vehicles have both shocks and struts. Shocks are part of the overall suspension, and a strut is a complete suspension assembly. The shocks and/or struts in your car perform two functions. They dampen spring oscillation, and secondly, they aid in ride control.
How long does it take to replace front suspension?
As we discussed in the original piece, suspension repair can vary drastically in time as much as it can in cost, because of how complex a system it is. Replacing a single set of shocks, for example takes between 2-3 hours, as does either side’s control arms.
Can you drive with a broken strut?
No. It needs to be repaired as soon as possible. A strut works by absorbing the bounce of your car driving over bumps in the road. Driving with a broken strut will be extremely uncomfortable for you and your passengers, and is unsafe in an emergency.
How many struts are on a car?
The majority of cars and SUVs on the road today have struts on the front wheels and shocks in the back. It’s possible that your vehicle has 4-wheel struts or, if it’s a very old vehicle, it could have four shocks, but this isn’t as common.
What happens if struts are leaking?
Shock and struts help keep the car stead. When your struts are leaking this will cause the car’s stability to be off kilter due to the lack of hydraulic fluid that absorbs bumps and turns which can cause the vehicle to roll or be thrown off the road.
How long do front struts last?
On average shocks and struts can last 5-10 years or 50,000-100,000 miles under ideal driving conditions. Many factors can affect the lifespan of these components to include: manufacturer, bad roads, heavy loads, towing, hard braking and aggressive driving.
