Your car’s shock absorbers are a key component of the suspension system.  

Read on and find out what shock absorbers do and how much a shock absorber replacement costs.  

 

How Much Does A Shock Absorber Replacement Cost (UK)?

The cost to replace the front shock absorbers can range from between £200 to £550. 

Rear shock absorber replacement costs can range from £150 to £450. 

Labour costs can vary depending on your location.  

 

How Long Will a Shock Absorber Replacement Take?

A shock absorber replacement can take anywhere from 1 hour and 30 minutes to 4 hours. 

The time it takes can vary depending on your vehicle’s make and model. 

 

What Happens During a Shock Absorber Replacement?

During a shock absorber replacement, a mechanic will test drive the car to determine the possible cause of the problem.  

They will inspect your suspension system and shock absorbers and can replace the worn or broken shock absorber if necessary – as well as any required related components.  

The mechanic can then recheck the suspension and test drive the car again, making any adjustments. 

 

Should You Replace All Car Shock Absorbers at Once?

Your car will have 4 shock absorbers, so you should consider changing them all at the same time – even if only one needs replacing.  

If you don’t, you could experience uneven handling. 

 

Signs Your Shock Absorbers Need to Be Replaced

Your shock absorbers may need to be replaced if you notice any of the following warning signs: 

  • Steering wheel vibrations  
  • Uneven tyre wear 
  • Leaks on shocks or struts 
  • Poor handling 
  • Excessive bouncing 
  • Rough ride 
  • Nose dive when braking 
  • Rear squat driving acceleration 
  • Strange metal noises

Any of these signs could indicate that your vehicle has worn shocks or struts. 

To test if you have a problem with your shock absorbers, you can carry out a bounce test.  

Locate the corner of the car you think may have the faulty shock absorber – you should be able to tell by the way your car drives – and press down on the car above the wheel.  

Continue to bounce the vehicle until it is bouncing in time with you. 

Let go and see how it bounces without you.  

A functioning shock absorber will cause the car to bounce a couple of times, then steady.

If the car continues to bounce excessively – or not at all – then you have a shock absorber problem that needs to be addressed.  

 

Can You Drive with Worn Shock Absorbers?

You should not drive with worn shock absorbers. 

Your stopping distance may increase if you keep driving with bad shocks, which could cause an accident in an emergency braking situation.  

This can be especially dangerous on wet roads, where the risk of skidding will increase. 

For this reason, you should have worn shocks and struts inspected right away.  

 

How Long Should Shock Absorbers Last?

Shock absorbers can last around 50,000 miles, depending on how often you use your vehicle.  

Your shocks will last roughly 5 years if you drive many miles daily or often do off-road driving.  

Your shocks could even last 10 years.