Repair Lane

Shock Absorber Replacement

Replacement of worn shock absorbers on one axle to stop the bouncing and bring back a stable, planted ride.

Difficulty: moderate~12.5 hrs1–3 hours
Estimated total
$195–890
Parts$80–450
Labor$115–440
Labor time12.5 hrs
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What's involved

What this repair actually is.

Shock absorbers control how your springs move — when they wear out, the vehicle bounces, wallows, and gets harder to keep settled on rough pavement. We unbolt the old shocks, install a matched new pair on the axle, and torque the mounts to spec. Unlike struts, shocks on most vehicles do not affect alignment, which keeps this job simpler and cheaper.

Symptoms

How you can tell.

  • Vehicle keeps bouncing after going over a bump
  • Rear end squats or wallows with passengers or cargo
  • Fluid leaking from the shock body
  • Rattling or knocking from the rear over rough roads
  • Uneven, cupped tire wear
If you delay

Blown shocks let the tires skip over the road surface, which lengthens stopping distance and wears tires out fast.

Educational estimate. Real pricing depends on your vehicle, the inspection, parts availability, taxes, and shop rates. Use this as a guide while you shop quotes.
Related

Often done together.