How much does it cost to replace shock absorbers? Answers from an Insider

Parts Cost

We're in the age of something for everyone, for all budgets and vehicle uses. Sometimes you need a budget level shock to hold you over for the season because you accidentally blew a pair on your truck while hitting the trails too hard. Or you may be ready to make a serious investment in your vehicle suspension, and go for a premium level monotube shock absorber, or race-level dampers with reservoirs, all of these decisions make a huge difference in total cost.


Budget Level Shocks - $25-50 each

KYB - Excel-G

Daily Driver

$$$$

The Excel-G shock is KYB’s direct factory replacement shock (for most applications) to restore factory-like handling characteristics. KYB is an OEM supplier, and produces aftermarket parts with as much precision as factory parts, ensuring exact fit and restoration.

Pros

  • Budget level factory replacement shocks
  • Restores off-the-lot ride characteristics
  • Softest riding shock available for most applications

Cons

  • Lifespan is typical of factory shocks

Skyjacker - Black Max

Daily Driver, Off-Road

$$$$

Combining a softer daily driver comfort with easy and moderate offroad use, the Black Max shocks are a good factory-upgrade. The foam cell technology allows for good off-road control in the easy stuff, while giving smooth handling behavior on the pavement.

Pros

  • Softer ride comfort
  • Still gives decent off-road handling
  • Budget friendly

Cons

  • Shock life not as good as a monotube design
  • Will not withstand consistent hard hits or high speed off-road

Rancho - RS5000x

Daily Driver, Off-Road

$$$$

Serving as an upgrade option on factory trucks, the Rancho RS5000X is a thick bored twin tube gas shock, meant to increase performance in a budget package. The thick body of this shock ensures that it can handle tough situations and loads without much problem, and the budget price means its accessible to a large application base.

Pros

  • Thick body, large oil volume, contributes to performance longevity
  • Reliable twin tube technology
  • Great price for a 2” gas shock
  • 90 Day Ride Guarantee by Rancho

Cons

  • Ride quality leaves something to be desired
  • Mass produced, shows in the details

Performance Level Shocks - $60-90 each

Bilstein - 4600 Factory Replacement

Daily Driver, Off-Road

$$$$

One of the aftermarket ride control standards in shock absorbers, Bilstein has designed these shocks to improve handling and ride control, while maintaining relative comfort compared to a softer factory-like shock. Exceptionally long life and dependability, the Bilstein 4600 is not only great for the daily driver, but also capable of towing, hauling loads, and easy offroad trails.

Pros

  • Excellent factory upgrade for improved handling
  • Long lasting, very durable
  • Reduces nose dive and body roll
  • Capable for heavy duty use, easy 4x4 trails

Cons

  • Firmer than stock-like shocks
  • Higher tier shock, higher price
  • Yellow isn’t everyone’s favorite color

Rancho - RS7000MT

Daily Driver, Off-Road

$$$$

Rancho’s monotube gas shock, providing a different feel for the road and terrain compared to a twin-tube shock. With a thicker piston and single chamber, the RS7000MT is more consistent with handling on and off-road.

Pros

  • Zinc plated for durability against the environments
  • Monotube design for better consistency vs a twin tube shock
  • Better response for vehicles with larger wheels and tires, or lifted
  • 90-day Ride Guarantee by Rancho

Cons

  • Limited application availability

KYB - Monomax

Daily Driver, Tow/Haul

$$$$

The Monomax shock is KYB’s heavy duty shock absorber meant for workhorse trucks or offroad vehicles that see tough terrain. These shocks have increased compression and rebound damping to account for heavy loads, larger wheels & tires, or aggressive terrain.

Pros

  • Excellent heavy duty shock for the price
  • Increases handling and performance significantly
  • Monotube high gas pressure design, great longevity

Cons

  • Not a "smooth riding shock" - increases road feedback
  • Red may not match your vehicle well.

Performance / Race Level Shocks - $150-400

FOX - 2.0 Performance IFP

Daily Driver, Off-Road

$$$$

The Fox 2.0 IFP high performance shocks are for a go-fast attitude offroad, providing significant handling improvement on & off-road over typical street-shocks. These shocks excel in aggressive terrain and the dirt, and are a great performance upgrade over factory or Bilstein.

Pros

  • Coilovers provide Leveling-kit ability
  • Excellent High Performance entry level shock
  • Handles hard hits well
  • Improves handling and traction in all terrains
  • Rebuildable / Serviceable

Cons

  • Higher price point compared to similar offerings
  • Requires servicing for optimal performance
  • Firmer than factory and other factory-like upgrades

King - 2.5 OEM Performance Series

Off-Road, Tow/Haul

$$$$

King’s tried and true offroad shocks for your application are unmatched in ride comfort and performance, offering legendary tuning out of the box. These shocks really excel in high speed environments and aggressive terrain, for serious off-road enthusiasts.

Pros

  • One of the highest performing shocks available for OE apps
  • Serviceable, Rebuildable, Custom Tuning Available
  • Compression adjustment and reservoir options
  • Badass Blue color

Cons

  • Lacking on features from competitors
  • Requires servicing between 30-50k miles for optimum performance

ICON - Stage 1 Coilovers

Daily Driver, Off-Road

$$$$

Step into improved handling and comfort for your daily drive and dirt activities. Through ICON’s digressive valving, this leads to improved handling without sacrificing too much ride comfort in the pursuit of spirited driving and high performance.

Pros

  • Improved handling on and off-road
  • Built for moderate to high speed
  • Rebuildable and serviceable
  • Can upgrade through higher stages

Cons

  • Requires servicing for optimum performance
  • Off-road focused, may be too firm for daily-driver only

Old Man Emu - Nitrocharger

Off-Road, Daily Driver

$$$$

Old Man Emu’s Nitrocharger and nitrocharger sport shocks are developed in some of the toughest off-road conditions around the outback of Australia. Old Man Emu and ARB have developed a comfortable daily-driver ride, with the ability to eat up washboard roads, rutted trails, and unpredictable terrain.

Pros

  • Exceptional durability
  • Excellent for adventure vehicles
  • Improved handling and performance

Cons

  • Not a smooth riding shock
  • Firmer than factory replacements

Shocks vs. Strut Costs

The above costs are for normal straight shocks. For Struts:

  • Costs for struts will typically be 25-50% more expensive due to more complicated manufacturing and more material.
  • When replacing your struts, also keep in mind the costs of strut mounts ($20-40/ea), or new coil springs ($60-150/pair).
  • If your vehicle is 10 years old or older, its a good idea to replace springs and mounts, especially if you live on the east coast with lots of salt eating away your vehicle's underbelly.

Labor Cost

  • Typical shop labor is $75-125/hr, depending on your location and how many shops in the area (competition).
    • Front strut installation will typically be 2-3 hours
    • Single shock installation shouldn't be more than 30mins, we see a 4 shock truck sometimes done inside of an hour if there's beer at the end of the rainbow.
  • Coilovers are similar installation cost of struts, usually an hour per corner. That doesn't include possible height adjustment as well (take off, adjust, re-install).

If you're replacing struts, a coil spring compressor is going to be required, and will probably double your labor time.

If you're considering budget level shocks, learn more about why Cheap Shocks cost more than Expensive Shocks