Strut Replacement Cost
Per pair, front or rear. Parts and labor breakdown, vehicle-specific prices, and what to expect at the shop.
Strut Replacement Cost Estimator
Get a personalized estimate based on your vehicle and replacement approach.
Pre-assembled, less labor
Estimated Total
$556
Range: $473 to $668
Parts
$350
Labor (1.3 hrs)
$106
Wheel Alignment (included)
$100
Required after any strut work to prevent tire wear
DIY Savings (parts only)
$106
Requires spring compressor tool and precise torquing
You save vs dealership
$180
Dealerships charge more for labor and mark up parts
Quick Answer
Expect to pay $400 to $900 per pair (front or rear). Parts run $150 to $400 per pair; labor adds $200 to $500 depending on the vehicle. Most shops will not replace just one strut and always quote in pairs.
Struts vs Shocks: What Is the Difference?
The words get used interchangeably, but they are different components with different replacement costs.
- +Structural part of the suspension. The wheel hub and steering knuckle mount directly to it.
- +Incorporates a coil spring and top mount bearing inside a single assembly.
- +Found on the front of most cars and on all four corners of many modern sedans and SUVs.
- +Costs more to replace because the spring must be compressed or the whole assembly swapped.
- +Standalone damper only. It controls bounce but carries no vehicle weight.
- +Bolts between the body and the axle. The spring is separate, mounted on the vehicle frame.
- +Common on the rear of trucks, older rear-wheel-drive cars, and solid rear axle vehicles.
- +Faster to replace because there is no spring compression involved.
Cost by Vehicle Type
Prices shown are for a pair (two struts, one axle) including parts and labor. Alignment not included.
| Vehicle | Type | Front pair | Rear pair |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Civic / Toyota Corolla | Compact sedan | $350-550 | $300-480 |
| Toyota Camry / Honda Accord | Mid-size sedan | $400-650 | $320-500 |
| Ford Explorer / Toyota 4Runner | Mid-size SUV | $500-800 | $450-700 |
| Ford F-150 / Chevy Silverado | Full-size truck | $550-900 | shocks only |
| BMW 3 Series / Mercedes C-Class | Luxury sedan | $700-1,200 | $600-1,000 |
| Toyota Sienna / Honda Odyssey | Minivan | $450-750 | $400-650 |
| Subaru Outback / Forester | Compact SUV | $420-680 | $380-580 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | Body-on-frame SUV | $500-850 | $420-700 |
Prices based on aftermarket parts (KYB, Monroe, Gabriel). OEM parts add 20 to 60 percent. Dealer labor rates add 30 to 50 percent over independent shops.
7 Signs Your Struts Are Worn
Struts wear gradually. Most drivers adapt to the change without noticing. These are the reliable indicators that replacement is due.
The car continues to bounce after going over a bump rather than settling immediately. A working strut should absorb the impact within one or two oscillations.
The front of the car dips noticeably when you brake. Worn struts cannot resist the weight transfer forward, which also increases stopping distance.
The car leans heavily to the outside of a turn. Struts help control body motion during cornering. Excessive lean makes handling feel vague and unsettled.
Uneven patches worn into the tread in a repeating pattern around the tire. This happens because a worn strut lets the wheel bounce slightly rather than staying flat on the road.
A damp or oily film running down the outside of the strut housing. Struts are oil-filled dampers. A broken seal lets fluid escape, which means the damping function is deteriorating.
A metallic knock when the suspension moves. This often comes from a worn strut mount bearing at the top of the assembly rather than the strut itself, but the fix is the same.
Worn struts reduce tire contact with the road. Tests have shown stopping distance increases by up to 20 percent with struts worn beyond 50,000 miles on some vehicles.
Why Replace in Pairs?
Struts wear at roughly the same rate on both sides of an axle because they experience similar loads and mileage.
Uneven handling
One new strut and one worn strut on the same axle creates a side-to-side imbalance. The car pulls toward the softer side during braking and cornering.
One side overworks
The new strut takes on a disproportionate share of suspension load. This accelerates wear and means you will be back in the shop sooner than if you had replaced both.
Shops decline single strut jobs
Most reputable shops will not perform a single-strut replacement on an axle because it creates liability for the handling imbalance that results. Parts and labor quotes are always per pair.
Strut Assembly vs Individual Components
When your mechanic quotes strut replacement, they will typically offer two approaches. The difference comes down to parts cost versus labor time.
Quick-Strut Assembly
A pre-assembled unit that includes the strut, coil spring, top mount, and bearing plate in one piece. You bolt off the old assembly and bolt on the new one.
Higher parts cost but lower total bill in most cases because you pay for far less labor. New spring and mount included, so no guessing about the condition of old components.
Individual Components
The mechanic removes the strut housing from the existing assembly, uses a spring compressor to safely release the coil spring, replaces the strut cartridge, and reassembles.
Cheaper parts but the spring compressor work adds significant labor time. Can make sense if you are keeping original springs that are in good condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you replace just one strut?
Technically yes, but most shops will not do it and most mechanics advise against it. Replacing only one strut creates an imbalance between sides. If one strut is worn enough to replace, the other on the same axle is likely close behind. Shops quote and sell strut replacement in pairs for this reason.
How long does strut replacement take?
A pair of quick-strut assemblies takes about 1 to 1.5 hours per axle. Replacing struts using individual components (which requires a spring compressor) takes 2 to 3 hours per axle. Budget for an alignment appointment afterward, which adds 30 to 45 minutes.
Do I need an alignment after strut replacement?
Yes. Struts are part of your suspension geometry. Replacing them shifts your wheel alignment. Skipping the alignment after strut work causes uneven tire wear and pulling to one side. Most shops charge $80 to $120 for a four-wheel alignment and will bundle it with the strut job.
What is the difference between a strut and a shock absorber?
A shock absorber is a standalone damper that only controls bounce. A strut is a structural component: it does the damping job of a shock but also supports the weight of the vehicle and serves as the upper pivot point for steering. Struts cost more to replace because they incorporate a coil spring and mount into a single assembly.