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.

How many strut does a car have?

How many struts are on a car? Most of today's cars and SUVs have a strut on each front wheel. However, some vehicles have a strut on each of their four wheels.

Do cars have 4 shocks and struts?

Many vehicles will have shocks on one axle and struts on the other. However, not all vehicles have struts. Depending on its design, your vehicle might use separate springs and shocks in place of struts. If you're not sure whether your vehicle has shocks or struts, there are a few ways you can find out.

Are struts on all four tires?

They're not. Every wheel on your vehicle has either a shock or a strut – never both, never neither. However, you may have struts on your front wheels and shocks on your rear wheels. To determine what combination of shocks and struts you have on your vehicle, first we need to learn a bit more about what they are.

Are struts in the front or back?

Struts are typically installed in conjunction with the front wheels, but depending on a vehicle's setup and driveline, they can also be mounted at the rear wheels. Just as there are different types of cars, there are different types of struts.

How to Check Shocks and Struts in Your Car

How much do struts cost?

On average, expect to pay somewhere between $450 and $900 to replace a pair of struts. An individual strut assembly will cost about $150 to $300 so you're looking at around $300 to $600 for parts alone. Labor alone will set you back about $150 to $300 for the pair.

How much does it cost to replace a strut?

It usually costs between $150 to $450 per strut, depending on your make and model. Usually, both struts need to be replaced at the same time. Your cost for replacing a pair of struts will be between $300 and $900. Strut replacement can take several hours.

How long do struts take to replace?

Typically, it takes around one to two hours to change struts, according to most professional mechanics. Even if you decide to replace them on your own, the estimated time is the same as long as you have previous mechanical skills and follow the process correctly.

What happens if a strut breaks while driving?

Struts on the front-end of your vehicle are also crucial for steering and alignment. Driving with a broken strut will be extremely uncomfortable for you and your passengers, and is unsafe in an emergency. It can also damage other components in your car.

What does a broken strut sound like?

Bad strut sounds are usually described as a hollow clunking or banging type of sound. You'll typically hear the noise when the vehicle is traveling over irregularities in the road. Most front strut assemblies also have a bearing at the top.

Can I replace only one strut?

Do you have to replace both shock absorbers or struts if only one is bad? It's not necessary, but it's usually recommended to replace them in pairs, for example, both front struts or both rear shocks. This is because a new shock absorber will absorb road bumps better than the old one.

Should I replace struts in pairs?

At the very least, get your car suspension checked once a year. 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.

Can you replace just front struts?

Just like replacing your brakes or tires, you should replace your shocks in pairs. However, you don't need to replace the front and rear shocks at the same time. As long as you replace both fronts or both rears at the same time, you'll be fine.

Are struts same as shocks?

The basic difference is that a shock is an independent component, while the strut combines the shock and other features in a single structural unit. Both help to stabilize the vehicle and keep the tires in contact with the pavement. Without shocks, your vehicle would bounce down the road.

Should I replace shocks or struts?

Whether you have shocks or struts, or both, you should consider replacing them at least every 50,000 miles. You can check the integrity of shocks and struts by simply bouncing your vehicle and monitoring the give. If it doesn't bounce back, you probably need to consider replacing shocks and struts soon.

Is it worth replacing struts on an old car?

Struts don't need to be replaced unless your vehicle is bouncing like it's on a pogo stick or bottoms out in potholes and over railroad tracks — or unless a mechanic finds that they're leaking fluid or have been damaged. In some climates, they can also rust.

How long do struts last?

On average, if your car has been “babied,” you can expect your shocks/struts to last about 10 years. If you have really used your car like a workhorse, 5 years is probably all you can expect. This means that for the average driver, 7 or 8 years is the maximum life expectancy of most shocks and struts.

Is it difficult 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.

Do struts leak?

Generally a strut or shock will start to leak fluid as they age. This is usually due to internal seals failing, which can be a result of our less than perfect roads. The issue is how much of a leak is considered normal.

How much does it cost for new shocks and struts?

A typical shock and strut replacement can set you back anywhere between $450 and $1,100 on parts and labor combined. An individual shock and strut assembly costs around $150 to $900, while estimated labor costs for replacing a shock and strut assembly can range anywhere from $150 to $300 per assembly.

What happens if I dont replace struts?

By not doing it's job – absorbing the shock – not having them replaced can lead to damage in the ball joints, wheel hubs, and many other components of the suspension. Without something to absorb the shock and energy of hitting a bump, it spreads throughout your car and will lead to damage.

Can I replace shocks but not struts?

You can not substitute one for the other. If your vehicle uses struts, you cannot replace them with shocks. A shock is the piece of the suspension system that helps coil springs absorb the impact of the road. It's the shock's job to take the bounce out of the movement of the car.

What causes struts to fail?

As noted above, the obvious cause is poor road conditions. If you drive consistently on roads that are filled with bumps and potholes, your automotive shocks and struts will wear down quicker than driving on a smooth paved road. As the shocks or struts wear, they lose their tension and support capabilities.

What do bad shocks and struts sound like?

Unusual noises – When shocks and struts are worn out you may hear a clunking or knocking sound. This sound is caused by metal-to-metal contact when the shock or strut bottoms out when hitting a bump. In addition, these noises could be a result in worn shock or strut mounting components.