The suspension system on your vehicle is one of those things that you only notice when something goes wrong. As long as it works properly, you and your vehicle will enjoy a smooth, controlled ride even at high speeds. But if something goes wrong, you’ll feel it in the bounciness of the ride, or the tendency for your vehicle to swerve or drift.
Shocks and struts are two key–and mutually exclusive–pieces of the suspension system that work to keep your vehicle traveling smoothly over uneven surfaces. But what exactly are they, and how do they differ from one another?
Let’s dive in!
The difference between shocks and struts
Shocks and struts are both a part of a vehicle’s suspension system. They use a system of springs and hydraulics to absorb the impacts on your tires delivered by driving over uneven surfaces, such as potholes or rocks.
They are also key components in keeping your tires on the road when traversing uneven terrain. A vehicle without suspension would bounce and jump every time it hit a pothole, while a vehicle with working suspension will barely notice the terrain and will keep the wheels vertically aligned for a smooth and controlled ride.
Shocks
Shock absorbers are tied directly into the springs on your vehicle’s suspension system and work to absorb and mitigate the energy generated by the springs as your vehicle rolls over uneven ground.
Shock absorbers–as the name implies–absorb the kinetic energy generated from the springs and counteract it to ensure that your vehicle’s tires stay on the ground and that your ride remains smooth. They also add resistance to springs depending on the speed of your vehicle–the faster you go, the more pressure they apply to the springs to ensure the tires stay firmly against the road.
One crucial thing that shock absorbers are not, however, is load-bearing. That is, they are only designed to redistribute the energy in the springs of your suspension. They do not carry the weight of your vehicle and are not structural in nature.
Struts
Struts and shocks serve essentially the same basic function, to dampen and absorb the shocks the vehicle may experience, although they do it in different ways.
Struts, in contrast to shocks, are a load-bearing and structural part of your vehicle. Not only do they serve a similar purpose to shock absorbers in that they have a spring-and-piston assembly as part of their makeup, but they also provide a pivot point for your vehicle’s steering linkage. So they are instrumental both in keeping your vehicle’s tires on the road and in getting them pointed in the correct direction.
Struts are used in vehicles in place of the upper control arm and ball joint that, in other vehicles, would serve similar functions. They also serve to keep the wheels aligned properly.
Does my car have struts or shocks?
The answer is ‘it depends on your vehicle, and it might be both’.
Shocks and struts, despite serving much the same function in a vehicle, are not interchangeable. The shocks in a vehicle are not load-bearing, and also do not function as a part of the steering system like struts do.
Because of this, vehicles will either come equipped with one or the other–or even a set of shocks on one axle and struts on the other. If your vehicle has shocks on an axle–something you can find out by entering your vehicle information into an auto-parts search engine like the one available on AutoShack’s website–then it will not have struts on that axle, and vice-versa.
There is also a simple method to tell if your vehicle is equipped with shocks or struts, and that is by conducting a visual inspection. The shocks and struts are both located in roughly the same area, at the front of the car and directly behind the wheels. You may have to remove the wheel to get a good look.
Once you’re in a position to conduct a visual examination, check for the following indicators:
-A shock absorber will resemble a spring and piston or pneumatic pump and will be aligned vertically or near-vertically.
-A strut, on the other hand, will look like an extension of the wheel itself and will be aligned horizontally or near-horizontally.
The other area in which shocks and struts differ largely is in how often you may have to replace each part.
Shock absorbers will wear out faster than struts and require more frequent maintenance. In general, most manufacturers will suggest replacing your shock absorbers every 50,000 miles.
Struts, on the other hand, tend to be hardier and engineered to last much longer. It is not unusual to never have to replace a set of struts over the lifetime of a vehicle. But if you’re looking to make sure that your struts are always in tip-top condition, it’s generally agreed that you will want to replace them every 50,000 to 100,000 miles.
It should also be mentioned that replacing shock absorbers is a much easier proposition than replacing struts, as struts require the entire suspension system to be taken apart and disconnected from the steering linkage as well.
How much does it cost to replace shocks and struts?
Average cost of shock replacement
Replacing shock absorbers is a fairly straightforward process that any good mechanic will be able to perform. The overall cost of the replacement will be divided between two parameters: Parts and labor.
The parts cost for replacement struts will vary based on the make, model, and year of your vehicle. Shocks for a 2015 Hyundai Sonata will be far less expensive than, say, shocks for a 2022 Mercedes convertible.
But in general, the replacement parts will run you somewhere between $50 and $140 [CA $68.50 and CA $140]. Shocks for more rare vehicles, or custom shock kits such as those used on lifted vehicles, may run more. These costs can be mitigated by purchasing aftermarket parts from trusted vendors such as AutoShack, as they will be cheaper than factory-direct parts but of similar quality.
It should also be noted that there will likely be more than one type of shock that may be used in your vehicle. Similar to brake pads, there are different brands and styles available, including more rugged types for off-road vehicles.
Be sure you know which type will best meet your vehicle’s needs and make your buying decision accordingly.
The other aspect of cost, of course, is labor. A good mechanic can install the parts you bring for between $150 and $250 [CA $205.50 and $342.50], depending on the make and model of your vehicle. Dealership mechanics will likely cost on the higher end of this spectrum.
Average cost of strut replacement
Struts actually tend to be less expensive in terms of parts, but can be more expensive in terms of labor. In general, you can expect to spend anywhere from $7 to–if you’re really looking for premium stuff–$700. [CA $9.59 to $959]. In general though, they will cost under $100 [CA $137] to purchase.
Where you’re likely to spend more on replacing struts as opposed to shocks, however, is in the labor. Because struts are load-bearing and are integral parts of not only the suspension system but also the steering system in your vehicle, they require much more work to get into and get replaced.
Your mechanic will likely have to disassemble most if not all of the suspension system to remove and replace the parts. In general, you can probably expect to pay somewhere between $150 to $300 to get your struts replaced. [CA $205.50 to $411]. As with shocks, this price may increase further if you take your vehicle to a dealership mechanic.
Keep your ride smooth with AutoShack
AutoShack is a quality aftermarket parts vendor that can get you the parts you need for your vehicle quickly and cost-effectively. Our extensive parts inventory is easily searchable, simply input your vehicle’s make, model, and year into our search engine and the right parts will pop up.
We also offer free, fast shipping on most orders, with standard orders usually shipping out in about 3 business days. Expedited shipping is available for those rush jobs, and usually ships within 1-2 business days.
Stop by AutoShack, and see how we can help you save on your repairs today!