You may find yourself pondering, possibly while browsing through various forums online, “When Replacing Shocks What Else Should Be Replaced?” Well, you need not wander in uncertainty any longer.
So, you’re asking “When Replacing Shocks What Else Should Be Replaced?” While the replacement process primarily focuses on the shock absorbers, there are a few other components that often need attention. This can include items such as struts, bushings, or even suspension springs, depending on your vehicle’s specific condition and age.
Reading this article is a must for every car owner as it provides vital insights into proper vehicle maintenance. This knowledge could save you from future unexpected repairs and ensure the longevity of your vehicle’s suspension system.
Table of Contents
When Replacing Shocks What Else Should Be Replaced?
I. Replacing Struts Along With Shocks
When it comes to vehicle maintenance, specifically in terms of suspension systems, many individuals find themselves wondering whether it’s necessary to replace the struts at the same time as the shocks. The answer to this largely depends on the vehicle’s mileage and overall wear and tear.
While it’s not always mandatory, replacing struts along with shocks can lead to smoother performance and improved vehicle stability. Struts play a significant role in your vehicle’s suspension system.
They contribute to controlling the vehicle’s movement, absorbing excess energy from road bumps, and maintaining wheel alignment.
However, struts are subject to extensive wear over the vehicle’s life, which can, in turn, negatively impact the performance of the newly installed shocks.
A worn-out strut might fail to efficiently absorb road impact, putting excessive stress on the shocks, thus reducing their effectiveness and lifespan. Hence, a simultaneous replacement can ensure that both these components work harmoniously, promoting optimal vehicle performance.
II. Consideration for the Springs
Another critical component that often goes unnoticed is the vehicle’s springs. Springs are responsible for absorbing and mitigating the impact of road imperfections.
They work in conjunction with shocks to ensure a comfortable and stable ride, making it crucial to examine their condition during a shock replacement.
Over time, springs can lose their tension, leading to a sagging suspension, lowered vehicle height, and an overall uncomfortable ride. If the springs are worn or damaged, they could put extra pressure on the newly installed shocks, potentially leading to premature failure.
Thus, if your vehicle’s springs show signs of wear or damage, it might be best to replace them alongside the shocks.
III. Importance of Replacing the Bushings
Bushings, although small, play a significant role in the overall performance and longevity of your vehicle’s suspension system.
They are typically made of rubber or polyurethane and serve as a buffer between metal components, helping to reduce vibrations, noise, and friction. Bushings also play a crucial role in maintaining alignment and controlling the motion of various suspension joints.
Over time, due to constant exposure to heat, friction, and automotive fluids, bushings can become worn or cracked, losing their effectiveness.
This wear can lead to increased metal-on-metal contact, resulting in unusual noises, alignment issues, and increased wear on the shocks. Therefore, while replacing the shocks, it’s advisable to inspect and possibly replace the bushings to ensure optimal performance of the new components.
IV. Replacing Mounts and Bearings
Shock mounts and bearings provide a stable base for the shock absorbers. They ensure the shocks are firmly attached to the vehicle, enabling them to function effectively.
Faulty mounts and bearings can lead to unstable shocks, creating noise, reducing shock effectiveness, and potentially leading to premature shock failure.
Therefore, when replacing shocks, it’s essential to inspect the condition of the mounts and bearings. If these parts show signs of wear or damage, replacing them along with the shocks will help ensure the new shocks are securely mounted and function to their fullest potential.
As always, these are general suggestions, and the exact procedure may vary depending on the specific make and model of your vehicle. Always consult a qualified mechanic or technician when making decisions about vehicle maintenance and repair.
How Often Should You Replace Shock Absorbers?
You can expect your shocks to last anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 miles before they need to be replaced again. The precise mileage will depend on several factors.
For example, higher-quality shocks will certainly last longer, but the trade-off is that they’ll cost you more to replace.
Besides that, your driving conditions will also affect how long your shock absorbers last. For instance, if you drive aggressively on unpaved roads regularly, your shock absorbers will experience much more wear. As a result, they’ll also wear out significantly sooner.
How Do You Know When Your Shock Absorbers Have Gone Bad?
Suppose you want to make the most of your existing shock absorbers and want to avoid changing them too soon. In that case, you’ll want to look out for these symptoms to know when your shocks are due for a replacement:
- Excessive bouncing: Firstly, worn-out shocks will affect your driving comfort negatively. You’ll notice that your car bounces too much, suggesting the shocks are no longer doing their job.
- Nosediving and squatting: Worn-out shocks will also cause your car to nosedive (i.e. the front sinks low) when braking and squatting (the back sinks low) when accelerating.
- Vibrations in the steering wheel: They’re called ‘shock absorbers’ because that’s their primary function. So, if they’re worn out, the shocks from the ground underneath will travel up your vehicle and you’ll feel them as vibrations in the steering wheel.
- Clunking or knocking noises: Lastly, worn-out or damaged shocks will cause unusual noises like clunking and knocking.
- Uneven tire wear: When your shock absorbers are worn, your tires will wear unevenly, as the suspension is not able to keep the tires in contact with the road.
- Sagging: If you notice that the car is sagging in the rear or front, it is likely that the shock absorbers are worn and need to be replaced.
- Leaking oil: If your shock absorbers are leaking oil, it could be an indication that they need to be replaced.
- Poor turning ability: If you feel that your car is taking longer to turn, this could be a sign that your shock absorbers are worn.
- Noisy shocks: If your shocks are making noises like rattling or squeaking, they may need to be replaced.
- Swaying driving: Your car is swaying from side to side when you drive on straight roads.
- Brakes: Your brakes feel spongy or unresponsive when you press the brake pedal.
When you notice one or more of the symptoms above, you’ll know it’s time to replace your shocks.
How to Replace Shocks and Struts?
Preparing For The Task
When it comes to replacing shocks and struts, preparation is key. First, you’ll want to make sure you have all the necessary tools. A basic socket set, torque wrench, jack stands, hydraulic jack, and pry bar are essential tools for this task.
You may also need a spring compressor if you are replacing coil-over shocks or struts. Once you have your tools ready, gather the new shocks and struts and any other necessary parts like bushings, mounts, or springs.
Removing The Old Shocks and Struts
Start by raising the vehicle using a hydraulic jack, ensuring it’s securely placed on the jack stands before beginning any work. The next step is to remove the old shocks and struts.
For shocks, this typically involves removing the bolts at the top and bottom that connect the shock to the suspension and the vehicle frame. For struts, the process is more complicated and usually requires removing the entire strut assembly, which may include the spring.
Dealing With Coil-Over Shocks or Struts
If you are dealing with coil-over shocks or struts, the spring needs to be safely compressed before removal to prevent it from releasing energy suddenly.
The spring compressor tool is used to safely compress the spring, allowing the strut mount bolts to be removed without danger. Once the spring is safely compressed, the top mount bolts can be removed, followed by the bottom bolts, releasing the whole assembly.
Installing The New Shocks and Struts
With the old shocks or struts removed, you can now proceed with installing the new ones. If you are installing struts, this may involve transferring the spring to the new strut. Make sure the spring is securely in place before slowly releasing the spring compressor.
Once ready, the new shock or strut can be installed in the reverse order of removal. Start with the bottom bolts, securing the shock or strut to the suspension. Once these are in place, the top bolts can be installed, securing the assembly to the vehicle frame.
Final Checks and Lowering the Vehicle
Once the new shocks and struts are installed, go over all the bolts and make sure they are torqued to the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.
It’s important not to overlook this step as improperly torqued bolts can lead to poor vehicle handling or even component failure. With everything in place and all bolts secured, you can now safely lower the vehicle.
It’s essential to understand that while many vehicle owners might feel comfortable replacing shocks, struts are more complicated and can involve significant risk due to the stored energy in the spring. It’s always recommended to consult with a professional if you are unsure about any part of the process.
Why You Should Do a Test Drive After Replacing Shocks or Struts
It is always important to check the performance of a car after new shocks or struts have been installed. Doing a test drive after replacing the shocks or struts is an essential part of ensuring that the job was done correctly and that the car is running as it should.
It is also a great way to check for any issues that may have arisen as a result of the new parts being installed.
When you do a test drive after replacing shocks or struts, it will allow you to immediately tell if the job was done correctly.
You can check for any rattles, clunks, or other noises that may indicate that something isn’t quite right. It also allows you to get an idea of how the car is driving and whether the shocks and struts are providing the support they need.
A test drive after replacing shocks or struts also helps to ensure the safety of the driver and passengers. By checking that the car is driving correctly and that the new parts are providing the necessary support, you can rest assured that the car is safe to drive.
A test drive can be a great way to identify any issues that may not be immediately noticeable and to make sure that the job was done right.
How Much Replacing Shocks or Struts Might Cost?
Replacing shocks or struts can be an expensive repair for a vehicle. The cost of the repair depends on the make and model of the vehicle, as well as the type of shock or strut being replaced.
Generally, replacing the shocks or struts of a vehicle can cost anywhere between $200 and $800.
The labor costs for replacing shocks or struts will vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle, as well as the type of shocks or struts being replaced. Labor costs can range between $50 and $300.
Additionally, if additional components are needed to complete the job, such as a new suspension system or a new alignment, labor costs can increase even further.
Finally, the cost of the shocks or struts themselves can vary widely. For instance, a set of shocks or struts for a basic car model can cost around $100, while a set for a luxury car model can cost upwards of $500.
It is important to shop around to get the best price on the shocks or struts needed for your vehicle.
What Else Should Be Replaced With The Strut? >> Check out the video below:
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Conclusion
Shock absorbers play a crucial role not only in the comfort of your vehicle but also in’s proper handling. So, you’ll want to ensure you always have shocks that are in excellent working condition.
When you replace your shocks, remember that there are other parts you must replace simultaneously. For starters, the opposite shock on the same axle must be changed together with it.
Besides that, other worn-out suspension components should also be replaced simultaneously to ensure your suspension system functions correctly overall.