Image by Wolfgang Claussen from Pixabay 

Your car ride should be relatively smooth, aside from the occasional pothole or speed bump. So what do you do if you’re driving down the road and feel your car bouncing over even the smallest bumps and cracks in the road?  

If you’re noticing this during your daily drives, it could be a sign that it’s time to replace your shock absorbers.

In this article, we’ll cover all of the signs that you can look for to see if you need a shock absorber replacement. We’ll also tell you how to get this done at the most affordable price possible.

Let’s get started.

What are shock absorbers?

Shock absorbers play an important role in your suspension system. They help to distribute the weight of your vehicle evenly across all four of its wheels. This helps keep the car’s wheels turning against the road evenly.

Shock absorbers also help to absorb the various bumps and bounces that your car encounters while you’re driving it. Some cars even have suspension systems that are made up of shocks and struts.

The bottom line is that your vehicle’s shock absorbers play a key role in ensuring that your car drives smoothly. They also help prevent damage to other parts of the vehicle by minimizing the impact that bumps on roads have on things like the rest of your suspension system.

Are shocks and struts the same?

There are some key similarities and differences between shocks and struts that are worth exploring. Each plays an important role in helping your car’s suspension do its overall job of keeping your ride smooth. But they’re not exactly the same.

Shocks are designed to help coil springs absorb any bumps, bounces, and, well, shocks, when you’re driving. Struts are the components that contain coil springs and shock absorbers.

In other words, shocks are individual components within your broader suspension system, whereas struts are a major structural component of that system, which can be broken down into smaller parts, unlike shocks.

If that all sounds like too much, don’t worry. All that you really need to know is that these two parts are not interchangeable so it’s important to be clear about which part your car really needs before purchasing or asking a repair shop to replace either component.

How do I know if I need to replace my shock absorbers? 

The signs of faulty shock absorbers include:

Bumping or bouncing while driving.

Difficulty steering, either stiffness or swaying.

Lurching forward or jolting around when the car brakes.

Uneven tread wear.

Any one of these problems on its own isn’t enough to prove that you need new shock absorbers. Even if you’re experiencing multiple of these issues while driving, it could be another part that’s causing the problem.

That’s why it’s always a good idea to have a professional mechanic take a look at your ride before proceeding. They’ll be able to tell you with certainty what parts you need to replace to resolve your problems and get back out on the road.

Why do shock absorbers wear? 

Vehicles naturally decay as we use them over time. The more miles you drive and bumpy roads you traverse, the more your suspension system has to work to keep your car functioning.

At a certain point, all of that wear and tear can lead to something like your shock absorbers breaking completely. At that point, you need to replace them to get your car back to working normally.

Some of the causes of this wear and tear include:

Bumpy roads

Rough driving

Potholes that add stress to your cars suspension system 

This is why experts recommend replacing your shocks and struts at about the 50,000-mile mark. If you’re ready to do that, AutoShack can get you the part that you need at a more affordable price than the other guys.

Replacing your shock absorbers

If you think that you might need to replace your shock absorbers, it’s important to be proactive about finding a solution. If you wait too long, it could negatively impact your entire suspension system and other key parts of your vehicle.

The net result could be a more expensive repair job than what you would’ve had to pay if you just took care of your shock absorbers as soon as you noticed the issue.

But don’t panic just yet. Replacing your shock absorbers doesn’t have to be a budget-breaking, time-consuming process if you know what to expect going into it.

The following sections will help with that.

Replace in pairs

The first thing that you need to know is that shock absorber replacements are typically done in pairs. If you need to replace the shock absorbers on one side of an axle, then you’re going to want to do it on the other as well.

This is because you want your shock absorbers to wear down as evenly as possible across the axle. If one side has brand-new absorbers and the other side has worn-down ones, then your vehicle is going to drive unevenly and you may be right back into the mechanic’s shop for more repairs sooner than you think.

Some mechanics will also try to get you to replace all of your shock absorbers at the same time, though depending on your situation, it may not be necessary. 

How much does it cost? 

Your charges for a shock absorber replacement can vary based on factors like the auto repair shop you choose and the kind of car that you have.

That being said, you can typically expect to pay about $24.99 [CAD 32.70] for a single shock absorber. That means you’ll pay double or four times that price for parts depending on how many of your car’s shock absorbers you plan on replacing.

Labor costs typically add up to between $150 [CAD 200.90] and $300 [401.79]. You can expect to pay on the higher end of this scale if go to a dealership for repairs.

How to save money on a shock absorber replacement

It can be tough to deal with the financial ramifications of unexpected auto repair expenses, but there are steps you can take to find a more cost-effective repair solution. 

Here are three tips you can use to save money on a shock absorber replacement.

Get multiple quotes

First, make sure that you get multiple quotes from different auto repair shops before hiring any of them. Doing this will ensure that you’re getting the best deal in town instead of just going with the first option.

Having quotes can sometimes put you in a position to negotiate rates with mechanics, though not all auto shops are flexible about their labor rates. 

Remember, when it comes to picking a mechanic it’s important to go with someone who is trusted. Look through online reviews and ask friends and family for recommendations. 

Buy the parts yourself

Oftentimes, garages quote parts expenses based on the manufacturer's pricing for your part. It can add to your final bill, and can easily be avoided by purchasing your parts aftermarket. If you are buying your parts aftermarket, you can often bundle parts and assembly kits, which comes in especially handy if you are replacing more than one shock absorber.  

Auto repair shops aren’t always incentivized to find the best deal possible on parts for you. They may even have commercial contracts in place that force them to buy parts from a certain supplier.

This is why it’s always better to get the parts yourself when you can do it.

Bumps in the road shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg

If you need to complete an unexpected shock absorber replacement, AutoShack is here to help. Our high-quality after-market parts will help you keep your ride smooth with fast shipping and low costs.

Our easy-to-use drop-down menu makes it easy for you to find the right replacement for your car, and our bundled kits make paired replacement parts cost-effective. 

So what do you have to lose? Take a look at our online store today to get started.